A Scotland fan is closing in on the finish line of a 3,000-mile walk across the United States after spending more than 100 days crossing the country in a kilt ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Craig Ferguson, 22, from Paisley, set off from Los Angeles on February 23 and aims to reach Boston in time for Scotland’s opening World Cup match against Haiti on June 14.
The challenge, known as the Tartan Trek, sees Ferguson walk the equivalent of a marathon every day for 104 consecutive days while raising money and awareness for men’s mental health. His goal is to raise £1 million for SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).
The trek comes two years after Ferguson walked 1,000 miles from Glasgow to Munich ahead of Euro 2024, raising more than £70,000 for charity.
As his journey has gained attention online, Ferguson responded to social media users mocking Europeans who think they can walk between World Cup host cities in the United States.
Scottish fan responds to Americans saying he can’t walk to New York
In an Instagram post, Ferguson pointed out that while people were joking about Europeans walking to games, he has spent the last three months doing exactly that.
“For months now, Americans have been telling me, ‘You cannot walk to New York City from here’. Well, if there’s one lesson you should learn in life, it is that you should never tell a Scotsman what he can, and cannae do.”
On STV news, Ferguson explained, “My focus this time is obviously being in Boston to soak in the atmosphere of the World Cup, but also crucially on the fundraising and making sure we raise as much as we can for SAMH.”
He added: “All along the way, everyone I’ve met through these challenges has a story with mental health. That is what has solidified to me why I’m doing this.”
Money raised through the challenge will support SAMH’s mental health services across Scotland, including its network of walk-in support hubs known as The Nook.
