Gathering of the clans;
Credit: John Chalmers/Chronicle.lu
At a decidedly chilly Clausen early on Saturday 28 September 2024, a hardy group of volunteers set off on their seventh annual kilt walk in aid of pancreatic cancer charities.
The event was conceived in 2017 by organiser Ross Steele, whose step-father succumbed to pancreatic cancer on New Year's Eve 2016. Initially it was intended as a one-off event to raise awareness of the disease and to donate to ongoing research.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Mr Steele explained that following its initial success, it was only logical to continue the event. It raises in excess of €3,000 per year, and while there are willing volunteers to take part, it will stay on the Luxembourg calendar.
The walk itself starts at the Pygmalion Irish Pub in Luxembourg-Clausen, and the route takes the 30+ participants some 40km up to Mersch and back again to the start point. Drawing on the Scottish heritage of both Ross and his step-father, the walkers are invited to make the event as striking as possible by donning their kilts for the occasion, although this is entirely optional. Some cyclists also take part, in their cases typically by doing the route twice.
Some six hours and 40 km later, the clans reunite for much needed refreshments as well as a raffle and a barbecue offered by the host venue. The date for next year’s edition will be agreed with the participants some time during the first quarter of 2025.
