The 1,000 Years Hike
Walking the West Highland Way
26th – 31st May 2022
Background
In the 1970s a few young Scots lads from Dundee moved to London to start their careers. Over the years this mini diaspora spread further across the world but kept in contact, and occasionally met up back in London when the opportunity arose.
By 2020, in their mid to late sixties, and unable to get together due to Covid-19 restrictions, discussions turned to retirement and post-lockdown actitivites. Various pursuits were considered until somebody floated the idea of walking the West Highland Way as a demanding challenge for ageing bodies.
Unfortunately one of the group, Stuart Fraser, had been diagnosed in February 2020 with advanced prostate cancer and it became clear that he would not be able to participate. Because of Covid-19 he couldn’t have chemotherapy, which would have affected his immune system.
On 1st September 2021, Stuart passed away.
Our decision was easy, even if the circumstances and the challenge were not. The walk would be in memory of Stuart, to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The original few grew as family, friends, and friends of friends heard of our ambitions and signed up to Stu’s Band of Brothers, to Walk the West Highland Way in May 2022.
Attributable donations from all sources *
* Donations have been made to:
Prostate Cancer UK (including JustGiving Gift Aid)
Prostate Cancer Canada
Prostate Cancer Research
Latest Updates
- Band of Brothers smash cancer fundraising target as they complete West Highland Way in memory of Dundee man Stuart Fraser
From The Courier An international band of brothers has smashed a £30,000 cancer charity fundraising target en route to conquering the West Highland Way. The 15 walking pals from across the globe have a combined age of 1,000 years. But blisters and old bones were no barrier to their determination to complete the 96-mile hike.… Read more: Band of Brothers smash cancer fundraising target as they complete West Highland Way in memory of Dundee man Stuart Fraser - Thank you!We’re done. We’ve completed the 96 miles of the West Highland Way and achieved our objectives. Your support has been magnificent, and kept us going as legs ached, blisters formed and the midges hunted us down. It was a fantastic experience, and one which we will remember for the rest of our lives. What started… Read more: Thank you!
- Mission Accomplished!The West Highland Way has been conquered and the 1,000 Years Hike is over. Stu’s Band of Brothers has dispersed and we’re travelling home to rest our weary bones and soothe the blisters. It’s been a fantastic adventure, renewing old friendships, reliving past times and, of course, remembering our dear friend Stuart. In his name… Read more: Mission Accomplished!
- The ReunionWe’re all back in Scotland now. Most of us have assembled in Broughty Ferry and Dundee, and we’re ready to go. It’s been a long time coming. It’s a 6am departure tomorrow to get to Milngavie for a nine o’clock start. A number of us had a pre-Hike dinner on Monday in one of our… Read more: The Reunion
- An Eight Month JourneyWhen we start the 1,000 Years Hike on 26th May, eight months will have passed since Stuart’s funeral. That was when we decided to form Stu’s Band of Brothers and Walk the Way in his memory. It’s been quite a journey, literally and figuratively, and each of us has approached it in his own way.… Read more: An Eight Month Journey
- Obesity and prostate cancerLast weekend a friend mentioned he’d recently heard a fascinating after-dinner speech at a golf club dinner. The speaker was Declan Cahill, a leading prostate cancer surgeon at the Royal Marsden. (Coincidentally, the Royal Marsden is where Stuart was treated.) My friend said he’d never seen a room so focused on what the speaker was… Read more: Obesity and prostate cancer
