The Tartan Trek: Craig's 3,000-mile World Cup Challenge

One fan, one goal: to raise £1,000,000 for SAMH

My story with mental health started long before I had the words to explain it.

From a young age, I saw first-hand how deeply mental health struggles can affect the people closest to you. Within my own family, I watched loved ones carry challenges quietly and bravely. My mum, in particular, has spoken openly about her own experiences, and growing up around that helped me understand the gravity of mental health from an early age. I’ve also seen struggles all around me - and heartbreakingly, I’ve lost people along the way.

I’ve always been what I’d describe as an emotional person. For a long time, that felt like something to hide. As a young man, I believed that crying, feeling deeply, and being open made me weak. It took years for me to unlearn that, to realise that being emotional isn’t a flaw, it’s human. And more importantly, it’s normal.

But the moment that changed how I viewed mental health forever came in my early teens.

My best friend Struan’s dad, Russell, tragically took his own life. Russell was an incredible man, and his absence left a hole that can never truly be filled. Hearing his legacy live on through the stories Struan shares is something that will stay with me forever. When Struan and I first talked about walking to the Euros in late 2023, I knew instantly that any challenge I took on had to be rooted in mental health - as a way of saying thank you, and of honouring Russell’s memory.

Mental health struggles are part of life - especially for young men - yet so many people still feel shame, embarrassment or fear around asking for help. That’s what I want to change. Mental health remains one of the biggest challenges facing our country and our world, and even if the change I help create feels small, it matters.

Through the challenges I take on, I want to show people that no matter who you are or what you’re facing, you are not alone. Sometimes support comes through conversation. Sometimes it comes through action. If walking thousands of miles helps even one person feel seen, understood or less isolated, then every step is worth it.

In 2024, I decided to test that belief.

To celebrate Scotland qualifying for a major tournament - and to raise as much money and awareness as possible for mental health - I set off on the journey of a lifetime, walking from Glasgow to Munich in time for Scotland’s opening match at the Euros.

What happened next exceeded anything I could have imagined.

The challenge reached tens of millions of people across Europe and ultimately raised £78,000 for men’s mental health. What began as one young guy with a big idea and a lot of belief turned into something that created real, tangible impact. It’s something I will always be proud of.

Now, I’m ready to go again.

Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup in twenty-eight years, and it only feels right to mark that moment by going even bigger.

This February, I will begin the hardest challenge of my life.

The Tartan Trek will see me walk over 3,200 miles across the United States, starting in Los Angeles and finishing in Boston in time for Scotland’s opening match at the World Cup. I will attempt to complete over 120 marathons in just over 100 days - pushing my body and mind to their limits - all to raise as much money as possible for mental health support in Scotland.

For this challenge, I am proud to be supporting Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Scotland’s leading mental health charity. SAMH are changing the way we approach mental health through awareness, education and life-saving support delivered in communities across the country. For me, it’s vital that every pound raised makes a real and lasting difference - and I believe SAMH are the right organisation to make that happen.

If my journey inspires you, all I ask is that you follow along, share the story, and support the challenge if you can. Every donation brings us closer to the goal - and helps fund vital mental health support for people across Scotland.

Together, I truly believe we can make a difference.