Local pub the Inn at Kippen walked the first two legs of the West Highland Way to raise money for mental health charity Back Onside, just one week before they were due to open their doors to the public.

The walk was 26 miles long, starting in Milngavie and ending at Rowardennan.

Laura Carey, manager of the pub, said: “With lockdown there’s been so much realisation that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and there’s still a stigma around mental health issues. We really just want to bring to light that everyone struggles at times and it can get very serious very fast.”

“There’s just not a more worthy cause out there at the moment.”

The team raised £655 with another 50% added on top of that from philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation, taking them to a whopping £980.

Back Onside founder Libby Emerson expressed her gratitude on Facebook.

“Massive thank you to the team at Inn at Kippen who are doing the Kiltwalk today and walking 26 miles from Milngavie to Rowardenan for Back Onside. Good luck guys and THANK YOU.”

Mental health has declined and worsened over the course of the coronavirus pandemic. Back Onside’s website states that 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health illness each year.

The Inn at Kippen is now open for rooms, drinks and dining in line with the coronavirus restrictions.