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Daughter of late Highland councillor Hamish Wood takes on Walk for Parkinson’s at Brodie Castle in memory of her Buddhist father who played pivotal role in bringing the Dalai Lama to Inverness


By Val Sweeney

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Former Highland councillor Hamish Wood lived with Parkinson’s for nine years before he died in October 2021.
Former Highland councillor Hamish Wood lived with Parkinson’s for nine years before he died in October 2021.

The daughter of a former Highland councillor is to take part in the Walk for Parkinson's series in his memory to raise awareness and funds of the condition.

Kirsteen Wood, daughter of the late Hamish Wood, will embark on a six-mile walk in the grounds of the historic Brodie Castle in Moray on September 11.

The 43-year-old, who will be accompanied by her dog, Harris, will raise funds to help Parkinson’s UK’s vital work.

Her father was a well known figure in their home city of Inverness and beyond.

He represented the Aird and Loch Ness ward on Highland Council from 2007-2017 and was also a former assistant principal at Inverness College UHI as well as being active in voluntary organisations, including Samaritans. He was a champion for Fair Trade and cycling.

He lived with Parkinson’s for nine years before he died in October 2021, aged 78.

Tributes paid following death of former Highland councillor

Ms Wood took part in the last walk at Brodie Castle in 2019, an event she loved so much she has decided to return.

Kirsteen Wood is doing a Walk for Parkinson's in memory of her father, Hamish Wood.
Kirsteen Wood is doing a Walk for Parkinson's in memory of her father, Hamish Wood.

"I'm taking part in the 6 mile walk with my dog Harris." she said.

"My dad passed away last October after living with Parkinson's for nine years but I think it's really important to keep fundraising and keep the message about Parkinson's out there because I think a lot of people don't fully understand what Parkinson's is and it can be misunderstood as being something completely different.

"I love Culbin Forest as well, it's quite close to where I live and I've been there a few times. I took part in the 2019 walk.

"It was really good. It was a really nice day as well so everyone really enjoyed themselves and there was a really nice atmosphere.

"I would definitely recommend it to other people, whether that be with friends, family or by yourself.

"My dad used to work as a councillor for the local council and he did that for quite a long time.

"He was well-known for taking part in events and he was on lots of different boards. He would cycle around his ward so was well known in Inverness.

"He was a Buddhist as well and was instrumental in getting the Dalai Lama to Inverness."

Marion Pirrie, Parkinson UK's regional fundraiser for East of Scotland, said it would be great to see Kirsteen and Harris return to Brodie Castle along with others for the first time since 2019.

"We are really excited to once again walk the grounds of Culbin Forest and are so grateful for Kirsteen choosing to do so to help raise awareness of Parkinson’s in memory of her dad," she said.

The money raised by Walk for Parkinsons will help fund Parkinson’s UK’s vital work, which aims to transform the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.

In the UK, there are around 145,000 people already living with Parkinson’s, including an estimated 12,400 in Scotland.

People can sign up to walk one mile or take on six miles. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.

Registrations close on Sunday September 4.


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