A charity campaigner from Scotland has reached a significant milestone in his 3,000-mile, kilted walk across the United States. Craig Ferguson has arrived in Washington DC, having covered approximately 2,800 miles, with just 450 miles remaining on his Tartan Trek.
The Journey So Far
The 22-year-old from Paisley, Renfrewshire, began his journey on February 24 from Santa Monica Pier in California. Since then, he has walked roughly a marathon distance of 26.2 miles every day. His final destination is Boston, where he plans to watch his team compete in the World Cup.
Ferguson has raised more than £170,000 for the mental health charity SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), with an ambitious target of £1 million. He previously stated that the prospect of seeing his team and enjoying a "nice cold pint" at the finish line keeps him motivated.
Route and Encounters
Starting in California, his intended route took him through Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland, before heading north to Boston. Throughout the journey, Ferguson has been deeply moved by the kindness of strangers. People have offered him water and shared their own mental health stories, which has been integral to his perseverance.
One memorable encounter was with an elderly woman in Illinois who has dementia. They shared a brief but pleasant conversation. Later, her granddaughter contacted Ferguson to say that her grandmother had spoken of "the Scottish boy walking across America" long after their meeting, despite her condition.
Reflections from Washington DC
Speaking from Washington DC, Ferguson said: "Arriving in Washington DC feels surreal. Mentally and physically, I'm exhausted – there are days where every single mile hurts – but knowing there's now less than 500 miles to go gives me a huge lift. This journey has tested me in ways I never imagined, but the kindness of people across America has honestly been overwhelming."
He added: "So many people have stopped to share their own stories around mental health, and those conversations stay with you. One moment that really hit me recently was meeting a woman with dementia whose granddaughter later told me she kept talking about 'the Scottish boy walking across America'. Hearing that genuinely meant a lot and reminded me why this challenge matters beyond the fundraising total."
Ferguson continued: "We've now raised over £170,000, which is incredible, but there's still a long way to go to hit that £1 million target for SAMH. Being this close to Boston is exciting and emotional in equal measure – and I'm determined to finish strong."
Support from SAMH
Hazel McIlwraith, director of fundraising and major appeals at SAMH, praised Ferguson's efforts: "What Craig has achieved already is nothing short of extraordinary. Walking 2,800 miles across the United States while raising awareness of mental health and over £170,000 for SAMH is a phenomenal accomplishment. Craig's openness, resilience and ability to connect with people from all walks of life is helping spark important conversations around mental health both in Scotland and internationally."
She added: "With the finish line now in sight, we'd encourage anyone who has been inspired by Craig's journey to support the Tartan Trek if they can. Every donation will help SAMH continue delivering vital mental health support and services across Scotland."
To support Craig's Tartan Trek or make a donation, visit www.thetartantrek.co.uk.
