Walk 'n' Talk 2021: Reflections

8th October 2021

In September, the annual Walk 'n' Talk returned after Covid put a stop to it last year. Co-organiser John Mann tells us how it all went.

It was great that the Scottish Walk 'n' Talk was able to take place in 2021 and I for one was really looking forward to it.

Sponsored by the Scottish Stammering Network and STAMMA, this was the 13th Walk & Talk, and the organising group (Megan Hart, Carolyn Andrews, David Lilburn and I) had decided to book the lovely Corran Bunkhouse near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. We had stayed at the Bunkhouse before so we knew it was good option with friendly hosts and pristine rooms with ensuite showers and TVs (some even had mini fridges!).

Most of the seventeen hardy souls who had booked up for the event and travelled from all parts of the UK (and even Ireland), arrived at the hostel between 5 and 6pm on the Friday. Once the initial introductions were made and the rooms were sorted out we all sat down to dinner (as usual everyone helped with the cooking and clearing up) and a pub quiz was then hosted by Megan and Carolyn. It would be fair to say that the quiz was good fun and there was plenty of laughter (mostly at my lack of knowledge of Disney film characters).

The fact that you are able to spend quality time with others who stammer or who have an interest in stammering is extremely beneficial and it is always great fun with lots of laughter.

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, most of the group set off on the hike, though a couple of us went on a drive to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Mallaig instead. As usual, Scotland looked gorgeous as we climbed to the top of Beinn a' Chaorainn, Beinn Teallach and Gairich. It was a challenging climb but luckily the rain stayed away all day and the stunning views at the top made it all worthwhile.

Tired but flush with a sense of achievement we all headed home for a dinner of sausages and mashed potatoes followed by a drink or two (OK, possibly three or four). Next morning, after another filling breakfast, we said our goodbyes and set off for home, determined to attend another Walk 'n' Talk in beautiful Scotland. 

All in all, it was another great weekend and we were so glad that it was possible to organise it in these difficult times. All those who attended seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event and it was great to meet so many old friends and make new ones in such a picturesque setting. The fact that you are able to spend quality time with others who stammer or who have an interest in stammering is extremely beneficial and it is always great fun with lots of laughter. I hope that we can have many more Walk 'n' Talks in Scotland and we look forward to seeing you at one of them.

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