A team of runners recently completed the Scottish leg of a peace relay run across Scotland. The global relay run for World Peace had arrived from Ireland, after previously travelling through Wales, England, France, Spain and Portugal.

Starting in Fort William, the team ran via Crianlarich and Loch Lomond to Glasgow before heading east to Edinburgh. Here, they were welcomed at the Scottish Parliament by Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer.

The Sri Chinmoy Onesess-Home Peace Run is the world’s largest relay run. Since its inception in 1987, it has visited over a hundred countries covering hundreds and thousands of miles.

Runners carry a flaming peace torch which links communities along its route. Short school visits are planned along the route. Pupils spend time on projects to create pictures, posters, poems and even musical performances, all with a theme of peace and friendship.

Also welcoming the runners at the Parliament were MSPs Willie Rennie, Brian Whittle and Christine Grahame. MSP’s from a variety of political backgrounds.

MSP’s from a variety of political backgrounds met with the runners

Also welcoming the runners at the Parliament were MSPs”s Willie Rennie, Brian Whittle and Christine Grahame. MSP’s from a variety of backgrounds

Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, talks with European Co-ordinator of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace run, Devashishu Tory.

Johnstone herself is a former 800m and 1500 metre runner who runs as regularly as her busy schedule allows. On a previous visit to the Peace Run, she carried the peace torch with the team to the top of Arthur’s Seat, the hill in Holyrood Park that overlooks the Parliament Building.

Willie Rennie, the MSP for NE Fife, is a regular runner, often escaping to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat adjacent to the Scottish Parliament to help clear his head.

Brian Whittle, of course, is well known for his exploits on the track at 400 metres and 800 metres. He represented GB at European, World and Olympic championships, as well as running for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

He is now MSP for South Scotland

Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale  talks to the Peace Run relay team.

Christine Grahame, on her own admission, is not a runner but is a strong advocate for peace in many activities and was happy to be part of the group welcoming the runners.

Following the Scottish leg of the run, the team will make their way to Leeds and then Harwich in England before heading across the channel to the Hook of Holland and continuing through The Netherlands and other European countries.

Daily log of the peace torch really

A small daily log of our journey. It can be found with pictures on the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run website HERE

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