Extinction Rebellion protesters are more than halfway through a 500-mile ‘pilgrimage’ to Glasgow for COP26.
Around 30 climate change activists set off on their gruelling 'Camino to COP' walk from Parliament Square in London on September 8.
The group hit a major milestone of their eight-week journey on Saturday as they crossed the border into Scotland.
Yesterday saw the walkers arrive in Ecclefechan as they continue on their journey to Scotland’s largest city for the major climate change summit.
Leading figures in politics and climate change activism are expected to appear at COP26 - with the likes of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Greta Thunberg and The Queen among the names to head to Glasgow during the event, which kicks off on October 31.
And the band of Extinction Rebellion activists hope to arrive on the day before the conference.
It is hoped that the pilgrimage will raise public awareness about the climate crisis and inspire others to add their voices to the growing demands for world governments to take decisive action in the fight against climate change.
The group will be joined by other ‘climate pilgrims’, who have walked or cycled across the UK and world for COP26, for a major march through Glasgow’s city centre on October 30.
Prior to that, the group will also make stops in Lockerbie, Johnstonebridge, Moffat, Abington, Douglas, Kirkmuirhill, Strathaven, Blantyre before arriving in Glasgow.
Organiser Reverend Helen Burnett said: “The Camino has become its tag line - a People’s Walk for Planet and as Glasgow looms on the horizon we can hardly believe we are within two weeks of Glasgow.
“Forty-three days of walking has built powerful bonds between us and forged new and life giving relationships with those we have met.
"When we walk into Glasgow on Saturday 30th, foot sore and sleep deprived we will be joined by so many others who have walked, cycled from across the UK and the world and we know we will find the energy to engage with all that COP 26 has on offer and to make clear to world leaders that ordinary citizens are calling for immediate change.”
Around 30,000 people are expected to descend on Glasgow for the international conference, which takes place between October 31 and November 12.
The climate change talks are said to be the most significant since the Paris Agreement was made six years ago in the French capital.
But the event is expected to be blighted by a crippled public transport system, after union bosses confirmed ScotRail workers will go on strike during the event.
The move comes after furious workers were reportedly offered a ‘lousy’ wage increase of nearly 5%, which the RMT has branded as unacceptable.
