A significant civic engagement took place at Edinburgh Castle On Wednesday as the Miles of Smiles initiative continued its national 82-week journey across Scotland, raising awareness and support for mental health and cancer charities.
The campaign lead, dressed symbolically as Superman, walked from Edinburgh Castle to the City Chambers alongside the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge. The discussion focused on strengthening community-based mental health provision and expanding collaboration between civic, charitable, and business partners.
Key partners highlighted include SAMH and CLAN Cancer Support, alongside the continued development of The Nook mental health hubs. With established centres already operating in Aberdeen and Glasgow, Edinburgh is confirmed as the next location, planned for 2027.
The campaign is currently at week 54 of 83, reflecting a sustained long-term commitment to national engagement through weekly activity across Scotland.
Supporting the initiative from a workplace and operational perspective is Marius Coste, Facilities Management Leader at Elior at Work, contributing to engagement through facilities, workplace environments, and community-facing support networks.
The Edinburgh engagement was described as a strong signal of cross-city alignment behind accessible, community-led mental health services, reinforcing the message that mental health challenges affect every community regardless of geography or background.
The Miles of Smiles campaign continues its weekly programme across Scotland, supported by a growing network of civic, voluntary, media, and corporate partners.
Key Message: Long-term, community-driven mental health infrastructure is gaining momentum across Scotland, with increasing alignment between public bodies, charities, and business leaders.