Scotland walks, jogs and wheels its way to become first Daily Mile nation

Scotland has become the world’s first Daily Mile nation – with public health minister Maree Todd saying the scheme shows the country “continues to lead the way on a global scale”.

Ms Todd was speaking as it was announced that the criteria set for this target in 2020 has now been met.

The Daily Mile is now carried out in all 32 local authorities areas, with activities in schools and other educational settings, communities and workplaces.

Public, private and third sector organisations are all involved in the initiative – in which people are encouraged to walk, jog, run or wheel a mile each day.

The scheme was started in 2012 by Elaine Wyllie, who was then the head teacher at St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling, and has grown every year since.

Around 187,000 schoolchildren across Scotland now take part in the healthy living initiative, with more than half of the country’s primary schools signed up.

Ms Wyllie said: “From one school in Stirling to Scotland to becoming a Daily Mile nation, I am incredibly proud of all the schools, teachers and children that have helped us achieve this milestone, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and our partners across Scotland.

“The Daily Mile was created by children, which I truly believe is why it has been so successful and is now reaching nearly four million children around the world.”

The scheme has the backing of the Scottish Football Association, which is using its network of community clubs to promote the role of physical activity in health and wellbeing.

Ms Todd said: “We want Scotland to become a nation where more people are more active, more often.

“The benefits of instilling these habits early are plain to see – children will see the joy of walking, running or wheeling, which will boost their health in the long term, and reduce the strain on our NHS.

“I try to do a Daily Mile whenever I can and there is no doubt I always feel better for it.

“I consider this initiative to be one of Scotland’s best exports – building on our success, other home nations and countries around the world are now embracing the Daily Mile initiative.

“Scotland continues to lead the way on a global scale.”

Daily Mile UK partnership manager Fiona Paterson said: “In our joint strategy published in 2020, the Daily Mile Foundation and the Scottish Government set out the key targets which would signify that Scotland could be recognised as the world’s first Daily Mile nation.

“We are delighted to announce that these targets have been met and that the foundations have been laid for further work to continue to embed the Ineos-backed Daily Mile across the country.”

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said the organisation “recognises the unique reach of football and the importance that physical activity can play in the health and wellbeing of children and young people in this country”.

He added: “We are thrilled to support this initiative as Scotland becomes the world’s first Daily Mile nation.

“Opportunities to exercise on and off the pitch should be available to everyone and through our network of community football clubs and local partners, we are ready to play our part and use the power of football to inspire the country to become more active.”