Our Thanks

BCT Events would like to say a huge ‘Thank You’ for all of the support that we have received so far for the 2011 Bigger Walk Home.

We are always looking for local, national and international companies and businesses for support of both the company and the walk. The links below are in order of assistance given not in monetary value.

If you would like to help the company in any way please contact pburgum@bctevents.co.uk

If you would like to help us with our walk, please contact tonyburgum@hotmail.com

For all of their help so far, massive thanks go to the following:

EASTWARD GUEST HOUSE

Patrick and Keiko have got the walk off to a fantastic start for us by offering us accommodation at Eastward Guest House, near St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney and are providing an evening meal, accommodation and breakfast. Eastward House is famous for its international cuisine. Yum Yum! We are certainly looking forward to this.

THE GREENWAYS

Francesca McCann at The Greenways, Newtonmore has offered us space to pitch a tent, tea & coffee and maybe even breakfast.

“Greenways is a 4 star bed and breakfast located in a quiet position just off Main Street and Golf Course Road in Newtonmore.”

ALVEY HOUSE

Roy King at Alvey House, Newtonmore has offered us a room if available or space to pitch our tent, tea / coffee and breakfast.

“The hotel is set in an acre of gardens with ample parking for all guests, but only a few minutes walk from the village.”

ARDSELMA GUEST HOUSE

Valerie at Ardselma Guest House, Kingussie has offered us space to pitch our tent if required and promised us that the goats are friendly. This could be fun, hope they don’t eat tents.

“Ardselma is a late 19th century Victorian hunting lodge, tastefully decorated and furnished…”

GREYSTONES B&B

Anne and Mark Johnstone at Greystones B&B have offered us a room if there is one available or space to pitch a tent and breakfast.

Set in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, with the Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountains on its doorstep, you can’t help but enjoy the home comforts of Greystones Bed and Breakfast.

CRAIGLACHIE HOUSE

Terry and Shan Duddleston of Craiglachie House, Carrbridge have offered us breakfast or a packed lunch. Although they are unable to offer us a room as they are fully booked they did however offer suggestions of other B&B’s that may be able to assist us.

DORNOCK BANK HOUSE

The Bank House, Dornoch have offered us a good hearty breakfast, tent camping space and use of a shower. I am sure we will need one by then.

The Bank House is a ‘Grade C Listed’ building and was completely modernised in 2000 to provide high grade accommodation.

THE CAIRNHILL B&B

Geraldine at The Cairnhill B&B has offered us a room if available and some dinner, if no room is available we can pitch the tent.

Located in romantic Dornoch, Cairnhill B&B nestles on the High Street beside the 12th Century popular wedding venue of Dornoch Cathedral.

HILTON LODGE

Elizabeth Hassall at Hilton Lodge, Dornoch has offered us a room (if available), failing that possible use of a static caravan (if available) or lots of room to pitch a tent and also willing to throw in a ‘dry crust and water’ As they say, ‘Every little Helps’

MORVEN HOUSE [www.visitnorthscotland.com]

Jeremy Kivell, owner of Morven House, Dornoch has kindly offered us accommodation, breakfast and a nice shower.

Alness in the North of Scotland is little known as a tourist destination, yet, located just 20 minutes’ drive from Inverness…

CYCLE ORKNEY

Cycle Orkney of Kirkwall have offered to kit out a pushbike purchased by me with a ‘luggage rack’. I can then use the bike to catch up with Paul as I stop to take photographs. This saves breaking up his pace and still allows me to photograph the areas as we go. The bike may then be raffled off at the end of the walk.

THE ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS

Thanks to Paul’s business links he has teamed up with Lieutenant Colonel Simon Pritchard who invited us down to his office at Newcastle. We spent a couple of hours discussing the walk with him and one of his officers who was himself in the planning stages of an even bigger endurance event. John O’ Groats to Lands End in 10 days on Roller Skies. They passed on to us some valuable knowledge and advice, offered to help us with accommodation once south of Inverness and offered to help us with training methods prior to the walk.

PETROFAC [www.petrofac.com]

Who have kindly offered to pay for our rail tickets to Inverness!

Petrofac is an international provider of facilities solutions to the oil & gas production and processing industries.

JOG FERRY

John O’Groats Ferries are giving us free transport from Inverness to Kirkwall, Orkney.

Passenger ferry service from John O’ Groats in the Far North of Scotland to Orkney.

PENTLAND FERRIES [www.pentlandferries.co.uk]

Who will transport to transport us back from St Margaret’s Bay, Orkney back to Gills Bay, Scotland.

Pentland Ferries is a family run business, owned by Andrew and Susan Banks who established the business in 2001.

THE ORCADIAN

Thanks to their reporter Cheryl Gould, they ran a half page story based on our exploits.

The Orcadian is an on-line Newspaper (and bookshop) based in Kirkwall and serving the communities of Orkney.

MARATHON

Marathon donated a whopping £500 directly towards “The Bridges” charity, our nominated charity for 2011.

Operates in 18 states and many foreign areas. An integrated company including transportation, refining and product sales.

SUNRISE COTTAGE HOLIDAYS

Sunrise Cottage have offered to subsidise one of our first few night’s accommodation at Lybster, Caithness.

The Cottage is situated on a working croft… We offer a small intimate Guest House with that personal touch and service that makes Sunrise Cottage stand out from the rest.

RADIO BORDERS

Radio Borders have offered to run a story on The Big Walk Home as we approach England.

Radio Borders is the local commercial radio station for the Scottish Borders and North-Northumberland.

THE CROSSBURN

Thanks to Jane and Michael Travers at The Crossburn, Latheron Wheel who have agreed to provide us a room (if available) or tent space, evening meal and breakfast.

One of the Highlands’ Best Kept Secrets… Set in almost two acres of gardens and woodland on the north east coast of Caithness.

CULGOWER HOUSE

Owned by Catrion and John Whitfield, they have kindly offered us the use of a ‘Tipi’ which is erected as accommodation in their garden. I have never seen or been in one of these so I am looking forward to this

Culgower House Bed and Breakfast lies between Brora and Helmsdale on the scenic coast of East Sutherland…

LA MIRAGE RESTAURANT

La Mirage Retaurant, Helmsdale cannot help us with accommodation but have offered to help us assist us in other ways. So at least we will not go hungry or thirsty.

La Mirage Restaurant in Helmsdale, on the North East coast of Scotland in the heart of the Highlands, is as famous for it’s hospitality and decor as it is for the food.

1000 MILE SOCKS

1000 Mile Socks have given us 4 pairs of socks, 2 tried and trusted and 2 of their new ‘Fusion’ socks which we are going to give them a review of in return for their help.

They also supplied us with a dozen Compeed blister patches but I am sure these will not be needed.