Haddo pair hit the road for the love of Scotland's heritage

At 8am yesterday (Tuesday) Edoardo Bedin and Daria Phoenix set off on their 500 mile tour of National Trust For Scotland properties.

The pair were waved off by a small socially distanced crowd of about 20 supporters, including NTS colleagues, Rotarians and friends and local people.

Before departing the pair were blessed with the traditional Celtic blessing: "may the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face"

They kick started their epic journey at Crathes Castle and rousing cheers, applause and good luck wishes rang in their ears as they took their first steps of their walking trip across Scotland.

As they strode down the Castle drive the determined duo could be heard singing a cheery chorus of The Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) as a motivating anthem to boost them onward.

They are travelling across Scotland highlighting 23 closed NTS properties and raising money to try to re-open them.

This first day of their epic journey was long and hard as they climbed up over Cairn O' Mount, the highest point in their journey, and covered approximately 64km out of their total 800km journey.

They arrived at their first destination, the House of Dun, in the evening.

At each closed property they visit they will light a lantern, a flame of hope that the future of Scotland's heritage can be shared with the nation again.

This will only be possible if the public get behind them and offer their support.

You can keep up to date with Edoardo and Daria's ambitious tour of the country on Facebook (Hitting The Road For The Love Of Scotland) or Instagram (hittingtheroad4loveofscotland).

If you would like to donate you can do so online at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hittingtheroadfortheloveofscotland

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