Woodhall Spa Freemason's epic journey around Britain takes him into Scotland

Painful blisters, sub-zero temperatures, and sore knees are just three of the painful problems this brave Freemason has been battling in his epic fundraising challenge.
By Rachel Armitage
Published 11th Apr 2023, 00:00 BST
Chris Jones pictured on the Carnoustie coast.Chris Jones pictured on the Carnoustie coast.
Chris Jones pictured on the Carnoustie coast.

Chris Jones, from Woodhall Spa, set off on a round Britain walk in January, aiming to raise up to £100,000 for the Freemasons’ charity the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF).

He estimates will take up to 18 months to complete the 7,000 mile challenge, and when the Horncastle News checked in with him in February a month into his challenge, he had already made good progress and had walked as far as Co. Durham.

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Now more than three months into his challenge, raising money for the charity which he credits with saving his life during his struggles with mental health, Chris said he’s definitely feeling the pain.

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Chris's view from his tent.Chris's view from his tent.
Chris's view from his tent.

Speaking on Good Friday just outside Montrose on the east coast of Scotland, he said: “This last blister was a real stinker – I went to go and see a chiropractor when I came home to Woodhall Spa the last time because I was having problem with my arches and tendons, and he told me to get higher supports – which lifted my feet higher in my boots, and I didn’t bring my first aid kit or poles with me on this day.

"That was the first and last time I leave without my full kit!”

The constant walking has, understandably, been taking its toll on Chris’s legs and knees, but he said he’s just been trying to walk slowly and steadily to avoid putting his joints under too much pressure:

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"My knees have definitely been playing up, but I’ve been using lots of Deep Heat and using my poles to take the pressure off my knees.

Chris's well-worn boots at Anstruther near Fife, Scotland,Chris's well-worn boots at Anstruther near Fife, Scotland,
Chris's well-worn boots at Anstruther near Fife, Scotland,

"I’m not doing anything silly either, just taking it steady.”

Chris has continued to be supported by Freemasons and supporters both in England and Scotland on his journey so far, with many Masons Lodges putting on dinners in his honour and invitations to stay in others’ homes to spare him sleeping outdoors for a night in his tent.

"I’ve had a few offers of places to stay, and I’ve made a rule to accept offers because people wouldn’t offer if they didn’t mean it,” he said, “But I’m also finding the balance between paying money for B&Bs if I’m feeling it and camping in my tent as the weather has been getting better, and I want the adventure.

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"I’ve had a new nights where it’s been around -6°c, which had made getting out of my sleeping bag chilly! But I’ve not encountered any snow luckily.”

The view across Abedour.The view across Abedour.
The view across Abedour.

Chris will next be able to take a break from his adventures when he comes back to Woodhall Spa for a few days in May, and he is hoping to reach Cumbria in July or August in time for a family holiday – which he said he hopes doesn’t involve any hill climbing or hiking...

He has now raised more than £10,000 for the MCF. You can continue to follow Chris’s progress by visiting https://www.walktheedgemcf.com/

Related topics:ScotlandBritainDurhamMontrose