Walking Scotland

What Walking Scotland does

Walking Scotland, legally Paths for All Partnership (Scottish charity SC025535, company limited by guarantee 168554), is the national walking and wheeling charity for Scotland, headquartered in Stirling and re-branded from "Paths for All" to "Walking Scotland" in June 2025. Its core products are programmatic rather than technological: free community Health Walks delivered through a nationwide Walking Network of trained volunteer leaders; the Step Count Challenge, a twice-yearly team-based walking competition (£60 per team of five) with an online tracking dashboard of leaderboards, virtual badges and virtual forests; the Walk at Work Award free accreditation scheme for Scottish employers; and Walking Schools programmes co-designed with individual schools. Underpinning these is a grant-administration function that distributes public active-travel funding—the £5.07M Ian Findlay Path Fund (Transport Scotland, 2022–2026, 62 community projects) and the SPT Community Path Fund—making the organisation a national distributor of path-improvement capital. A separate digital tool for young people's school-day walking and wheeling is in development via a UKRI-funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh and the Highlands and Islands.

Walking Scotland's business model is multi-stream and essentially charitable. Revenue is drawn from individual and corporate donations (via Enthuse, JustGiving, in-memory giving, legacies), corporate partnerships including Charity-of-the-Year and Walk at Work sponsorship, the modest Step Count Challenge team registration fee (£60/team), and grant income used both for own operations and to administer path-funding programmes. There is no SaaS, no app, and no paid software product; nearly all programmes (Health Walks, Walk at Work Award, Walking Network membership, Walk Leader training, Care About Walking resources, the Strength and Balance toolkit, technical path guidance) are provided free at the point of use.

The customer base is diverse and diffuse: individual Scottish residents (including older adults, LGBTQI+ groups, and people with mobility needs), workplaces seeking CSR/ESG and employee-wellbeing programmes, schools and young people, community organisations delivering Health Walks, and health/social-care providers integrating walking into care settings. Distribution is channelled through self-serve public access, direct sales into workplaces and schools, the Walking Network membership, and grant funding channels. Geographic scope is single-country (Scotland), with programmes reaching remote communities such as the Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Clackmannanshire.

Name

Walking Scotland

Legal name

Paths for All Partnership

Website

https://walkingscotland.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walking Scotland (formerly Paths for All) is Scotland's national walking and wheeling charity, delivering free Health Walks, the Step Count Challenge, workplace and schools programmes, and administering government-backed path-improvement grants across Scotland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stirling

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Walking Scotland receives donations from individuals, corporate partners, and supporters. Fundraising activities include direct donations, fundraising challenges, and memorial donations. They are present on charity fundraising platforms including Enthuse and JustGiving.
2. Step Count Challenge Registration Fees: Teams of 5 pay £60 to participate in the Step Count Challenge, approximately £12 per person. This provides a small revenue stream while keeping participation affordable.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Organizations can partner with Walking Scotland through Charity of the Year programs, workplace walking initiatives, and sponsorship of events and challenges. This includes the Walk at Work Award program.
4. Path Funding Grants Administration: Walking Scotland administers path funding programs including the Ian Findlay Path Fund (supported by Transport Scotland) and SPT Community Path Fund, managing grant distribution to community organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Walking Scotland (formerly Paths for All Partnership) is a Scottish charity that promotes walking and wheeling as a way of life. It delivers free community Health Walks across Scotland, runs the Step Count Challenge engagement tool, awards Walk at Work accreditation to employers, administers the Ian Findlay Path Fund and SPT Community Path Fund grants, and runs Walking Schools and other initiatives that increase everyday walking participation.

Product overview

Walking Scotland (formerly Paths for All Partnership) is Scotland's national walking and wheeling charity, operating as a unified set of interconnected programs rather than a modular software platform. The core offerings include Health Walks (free, accessible group walks led by trained volunteers), the Step Count Challenge (team-based walking competitions), the Walk at Work Award (workplace accreditation), and Walking Schools programmes. Path funding initiatives (Ian Findlay Path Fund and SPT Community Path Fund) support community path improvements. The Walking Network provides membership, training, and support for Health Walk providers. A Strength and Balance Programme with associated toolkit and Care About Walking resources support specific health outcomes. Technical Path Advice and Guidance resources provide expertise for path construction and maintenance. All programs work together to support the organization's mission of making walking part of everyday life across Scotland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Walks Free, regular, volunteer-led community walking groups for individuals across Scotland who want to walk more, particularly those who are inactive, older, socially isolated, or new to group walking. Each walk is led by a trained walk leader and offered at beginner-friendly pace.
• Step Count Challenge Workplace and individual behaviour-change programme that lets participants track walking activity through a digital dashboard, compete in teams, and earn recognition for reaching step-count goals. It is for employers wanting staff wellbeing engagement and for individuals wanting structured motivation to walk more.
• Walk at Work Accreditation Accreditation awarded to Scottish employers that put in place policies, facilities, and culture supporting walking at work. It is for HR, wellbeing, sustainability, and occupational health leads who want a recognised mark of commitment to staff physical activity and active travel.
• Ian Findlay Path Fund Grant programme administered by Walking Scotland that funds path improvements across Scotland. It is open to local authorities, community groups, and landowners applying to upgrade, repair, or extend paths in their area, supporting active travel and recreation infrastructure.
• SPT Community Path Fund Grant programme, delivered in partnership with SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport), that funds community-led path upgrades. It is for community groups, councils, and access trusts applying to improve paths used by local walkers and commuters.
• Walking Schools School-based walking programme that helps pupils walk to school in supervised groups instead of being driven. It is for primary and secondary schools and their active-schools coordinators who want to increase active travel and reduce traffic around the school gate.
• Young People Walking Programme Engagement programme for school-age young people in Scotland that uses a dedicated digital tool to encourage walking and build everyday activity habits. It is for schools, youth groups, and partner organisations working with under-18s.

Quantifiable outcome

• Physically active workforce takes 27% fewer sick days per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh and the Highlands and IslandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalking Scotland is working with these universities on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by UKRI to create a digital tool helping young people walk and wheel more during the school day. The project includes experts in walking, health, co-production, and digital technology.
• Sensory TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalking Scotland collaborated with Sensory Trust to review and develop the Outdoor Accessibility Guidance, ensuring inclusive outdoor spaces guidance is comprehensive and accessible.
• Edinburgh LeisurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdinburgh Leisure partners with Walking Scotland and NHS Lothian on the Ageing Well Project, offering city-wide activities that encourage active living and socialisation for over 400 older adults.
• NHS LothiancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Lothian collaborates with Walking Scotland and Edinburgh Leisure on the Ageing Well Project, supporting older adults to stay active through Health Walks and community programs.
• LEAP SportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWalking Scotland hosted a Rainbow Walk and Conversation Café as part of LEAP Sports' Festival Fortnight celebrations, demonstrating commitment to inclusive walking opportunities.
• Glasgow City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlasgow City Council partnered with Walking Scotland-funded Cassiltoun Housing Association on the Castlemilk Park pathway improvement project, working together on lighting installation and drainage improvements.
• Friends of Castlemilk ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization that partnered on the Castlemilk Park pathway improvement project funded by Walking Scotland's Ian Findlay Path Fund.
• Macs AdventureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalking and cycling holiday company Macs Adventure partnered with Walking Scotland, participating in Step Count Challenges and fundraising over £2,300. Natural fit as walking-focused company giving back to walking charity.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sustrans: UK charity enabling walking and cycling through infrastructure and behaviour-change programmes. Comparable through active travel funding administration, school engagement, and community path initiatives, with overlapping funder relationships in government.
• Living Streets: UK charity focused on everyday walking and 'Walk to School' initiatives. Highly comparable mission, particularly around active travel, workplace walking, and school-based walking programmes, though operating UK-wide rather than Scotland-only.
• Ramblers: The UK's largest walking charity, promoting walking, protecting paths, and organizing group walks nationwide. Directly comparable as a charity focused on community walking engagement, path advocacy, and volunteer-led walking groups.
• Paths for All (legacy brand): Walking Scotland's predecessor brand and identity; effectively the same organization prior to the June 2025 rebrand. Listed only as historical context — Walking Scotland has fully inherited its programmes, network, and funding relationships.

Others

• Age UK: UK charity for older adults, running walking and physical activity programmes through local partners. Comparable through Walking Scotland's Strength & Balance programme and older-adult walking initiatives aligned with falls prevention.
• British Heart Foundation: Major UK health charity operating walking-based fundraising events and physical activity programmes. Comparable through walking-based community engagement and health-outcome messaging, though primarily focused on cardiovascular research and support.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Major UK health charity running high-profile 'Walking' and 'Hiking' fundraising challenges. Comparable as a charity using walking events for engagement and fundraising, though with a clinical/health support mandate rather than walking promotion.

Regional players

• NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage): Scotland's nature agency, managing national nature reserves and outdoor access. Comparable through Scotland-specific outdoor access policy and path-related advocacy, though as a public body rather than a charity.
• National Trust for Scotland: Scotland's heritage and conservation charity, managing outdoor places including paths and walking routes. Comparable as a Scotland-based organization stewarding walking infrastructure and engaging walking audiences, though with a heritage/conservation rather than public-health mandate.

Emerging players

• The Outward Bound Trust: UK outdoor education charity delivering walking, hiking, and wilderness experiences, primarily for young people. Comparable through walking-based youth development and outdoor learning, intersecting with Walking Scotland's Walking Schools Programme.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/walking_scot
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@walkingscotland
• Facebookfacebook.com/walkingscotland.org.uk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walkingscotlandcharity
• Instagraminstagram.com/walkingscotland.org.uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walking Scotland