A hill walker from Scotland has been given the task of encouraging Scots to gather their hiking equipment and get on their feet, in the run up to the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

Shona McMillan has been chosen to take up the position of promoting walking coordinator for Ramblers Scotland, as part of the Ramblers Walk the Path to 2014 scheme initiated by the Scottish government.

Ms McMillan claimed that she was thoroughly looking forward to helping build partnerships that could promote the legacy of the Games.

She added: "This is a great opportunity to use the Games to help create a fit and active Scotland with huge environmental, social and economic benefits."

Her role will encourage people of all levels of fitness to participate in bronze, silver and gold-graded walks around local communities.

According to 2009 statistics from the Scottish government, 66.3 per cent of men between the ages of 16 and 64 years old and just over half of women were identified as being overweight.