Walking 1,300 Miles Solo from Land’s End to John o’ Groats - Jo Page

Written By Cairan Macleod

Team Bella recently caught up with the Visit Inverness Loch Ness team to talk over some ideas for 2025. We were in absolute awe when Jo Page (Digital Engagement Manager, VILN) announced halfway through coffee that she is preparing for the challenge of a lifetime: walking solo and unaided from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in memory of her late mum, while raising vital funds for two charities close to her heart – PSC Support UK and Scottish Mountain Rescue.

Setting off on May 1st, Jo is going to be walking for three months, yes - you read that right! She will be covering over 1,300 miles and taking roughly 2 million steps. She’ll be camping most nights, carrying everything she needs in her backpack, and taking the occasional break in a hostel or B&B.

You might be wondering about Jo’s background and previous ‘walking’ history - well, Jo isn’t a seasoned long-distance hiker or outdoor survivalist – in fact, she describes herself as a novice walker and camper. She’s funding the trip entirely herself, and will be taking three months off workto complete the walk. The idea to do the walk was sparked years ago when a woman running LEJOG stayed at Jo’s guesthouse and lit the flame of inspiration.

Although a self-professed novice walker, Jo has definitely got an adventurous side to her, having already completed a skydive, marathon(s) and local Highland Hospice fundraising event, Strictly Inverness.

Speaking of her reason for taking on this mammoth challenge, Jo said -

“Just before my mum passed away in 2024, I told her this was my next challenge. She died a week later so I knew I had to make it happen – it was the last thing she knew I was going to try and achieve.”

Jo’s mum lived with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) for 50 years – a rare, incurable liver disease that affects the bile ducts. Despite living with the condition for most of her life, Jo remembers her as one of the strongest people she’s ever known.

“My mum taught me resilience. She just got on with it and never once complained. She was my biggest cheerleader. This walk is for her. I really hope I do her proud.”

Jo hopes the long walk will also give her time and space to process the loss of her mum, whom she was incredibly close to.

“I’ll be walking with her in my heart the whole way. On the tough days, that’s what will keep me going.”

As a passionate hillwalker, Jo is also raising funds for Scottish Mountain Rescue, who provide essential life-saving services in Scotland’s most remote places.

“What these volunteers do – giving their time,  and risking their safety to help others – is beyond heroic. We’re incredibly lucky to have them, and we should never take that for granted.”

To prepare, Jo’s been walking to and from work daily with her full backpack, and training with a personal trainer to build strength and stamina. She’ll be sharing the journey in all its realness – blisters, breakdowns and breakthroughs – on Instagram and YouTube under the name @nessielass.

Her final destination isn’t just John o’ Groats though – Jo is aiming to arrive back just in time to join us at this years Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival! As you can imagine, we were incredibly touched to hear that she’s chosen Belladrum as her finish line. Between the Belladrum team and our 24,000 or so festivalgoers, we look forward to helping make it a truly special moment for her. 

During the course of her journey, Jo is going to keep in touch with us and we look forward to sharing her progress and updaes with you all across our marketing channels, helping to raise. awareness and funds.

“Belladrum will be keeping me on track for my timing as I need to get back to attend as I do every year! I will be listening to the artists daily and posting my Belladrum playlist as I go to keep me going! In fact Tom Walker, who is playing at the festival this year, tunes are on my “Dig deep playlist” for when I have a tough day so it will be amazing to watch him live when I finally make it home!!”

We wish Jo all the very best, you have our full support every step of the way!

Support Jo’s journey:

 

Cairan Macleod
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