Big energy and big smiles — Loreburn primary school in Dumfries went all‑in for Big Walk and Wheel. From park adventures to pedal power, pupils showed just how fun active travel can be when the whole school gets active together.
Loreburn primary school was one of many schools across the UK that participated in the Big Walk and Wheel. Credit: Tara Aisha.
More than a walk to school
Loreburn primary school participated in the Big Walk and Wheel challenge.
At the end of a busy term, the whole school walked to their local green spaces.
Younger children enjoyed the playpark at Dock Park, while older pupils discovered Castledykes Park, close to National Cycle Network Route 7 — for some, their first ever visit.
Across both parks, children spread out and engaged in:
- active outdoor games, including orienteering and hide and seek
- creative activities such as chalk drawing
- nature discovery, from bug hunting to exploring local habitats
- learning about Dumfries’ history through the murals in the sunken garden.
Importantly, staff noticed how well pupils from different classes interacted, using the open space to play, relax and connect in ways the school day doesn’t always allow.
On the walk back, there were tired legs and happy faces — along with new learning about Lady Devorgilla, the sculpture overlooking the river and a key figure in Loreburn primary’s school identity.
Supporting active travel where it matters most
As a town‑centre school, Loreburn primary faces the same challenges as many others, with high levels of car travel to the school gates.
By taking part in Big Walk and Wheel — the UK’s largest inter‑school active travel challenge — the school created space to talk about, try out and normalise walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school.
Loreburn is also an I Bike school, part of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s Scotland programme, which meant pupils were supported to try out cycling even before and after the Big Walk and Wheel.
Pupils were able to borrow the I Bike smoothie bike, giving them a fun, hands‑on way to explore healthy choices, alongside an after‑school Learn to Ride club for P1–3 pupils.
Access to the school’s bike loan fleet ensured that children without a bike of their own could still take part, helping to remove barriers and make active travel an option for everyone.
During Big Walk and Wheel, two pupils received a loan bike, while another had their existing loan extended.
I Bike - increasing physical activity and tackling the school run
I Bike is an innovative school project encouraging pupils to walk, wheel and cycle to school. By empowering children, parents and teachers to travel actively, safely and confidently to school, I Bike encourages exercise and reduces traffic congestion, resulting in safer, happier and healthier communities.
As a town‑centre school, Loreburn primary faces the same challenges as many others, with high levels of car travel to the school gates. Credit: Matthew Horwood.
Small changes, lasting impact
Loreburn primary’s approach shows how Big Walk and Wheel can be more than a competition.
By combining active journeys, outdoor learning and access to bikes, the school helped pupils build confidence, make healthy choices and experience their local area in new ways.
These are the moments that support long‑term behaviour change — and they start with schools like Loreburn choosing to take part.
We’re proud to support schools across the UK to make walking, wheeling and cycling part of everyday life.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust works with partners to change how our communities travel, helping people to walk, wheel and cycle for more of their everyday journeys.
The Big Walk and Wheel and FRideDays Bike Bus engages thousands of schools and pupils nationwide to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school; driving long-term behaviour change and supporting safer school streets.
