Curtain Rises on Great Big Walk

Photo Steve Perks Camera Stage Left

Two musicians are setting off on the Great Big Walk to raise funds for charity Capability Scotland.

Marimba player Gillian Maitland and classical guitarist Callum Dewar left John O’Groats on Monday 2 August and will spend the rest of the month walking the length and breadth of Scotland, stopping along the way to perform a series of concerts in towns and cities throughout the country including Arbroath, Edinburgh, Perth and Galloway.

Every concert along the route will include the world premiere of a new piece of music by internationally renowned artists including Scotland’s own Eddie Macguire.  The tour will also include a masterclass with pupils at Forfar Academy.

Gillian and Callum have taken on the challenge not only to raise funds for Capability but also to increase awareness and knowledge of disability issues – a subject which has been close to Gillian’s heart since a car accident while studying in Miami left one of her legs paralysed from the knee down.

Gillian commented: ”The inspiration for this whole project came as a result of my own experiences when I first acquired my disability in 2007. Callum, who is a good friend and music colleague, witnessed what I had to go through and the two of us decided to put together this Great Big project to raise the awareness and funds so that others will have somewhere to turn to and receive support if they are newly disabled, young and disabled or have a hidden disability.

“The only thing we can’t plan is the weather, so no doubt a 400 mile walk across Scotland will result in us seeing every type of weather imaginable every day – but if the result is a more disability-friendly Scotland, then we can’t wait to put one rain-soaked boot in front of the other one.”

You can find out more about the Great Big Walk and buy tickets at. www.callumandgilliansgreatbigwalk.co.uk