Tracey’s Trek: 5000-mile walk in memory of her wife reaches Nairn as she passes through Highlands
Wind and rain couldn’t stop Tracey Howe this week as she walked from Burghead to Nairn - the latest leg of her extraordinary 5000-mile solo walk around the UK coastline.
Tracey started her journey in November 2024, in memory of her beloved wife Angela, who died in September 2023 aged 58.
Her year-long journey is raising awareness of cancer and honouring the charities that supported Angela, with every penny donated going to The Beatson, Marie Curie, The Brainstrust, Breast Cancer Now, and CoppaFeel.
The cause is personal in more ways than one, as her sister-in-law is also currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
For Tracey, walking has been a form of healing.
“Grief is hard”, she said. “But I find walking extremely therapeutic.
“It's been very cathartic, being able to be out outside. It makes you feel alive.
“You've got to remember you're alive.”
Living out of her motorhome, affectionately named Priscilla, Tracey relies on local support to help move her vehicle or find safe places to park.
“Although I'm doing this on my own, I'm not really doing it on my own in a way,” she said. “I have to have support from people as I'm travelling through.”
This week, that support came from her friend Fiona, who hosted Tracey in Nairn, offered parking space, and provided lifts to and from start points.
The next leg of the route, from Inverness to Chanonry Point, holds deep personal meaning as it’s where she and Angela once watched dolphins together.
“I've got fond memories of that. That's going to be my walk tomorrow, so I'll be reliving some of those memories,” she said.
Tracey plans to reach her end point in Glasgow by Halloween. She still has around 1300 miles to go, with an upcoming stretch between Dornoch and Wick, where local transport and support are limited.
“Local knowledge is really important,” she said. “So if anybody's got any tips about routes, path closures, that would be really helpful. And obviously, places to stop off and get a cup of tea.
“I'm from Yorkshire, so I'm powered by tea!”
As she continues north through the Highlands, Tracey invites others to join her - or simply to wave and say hello.
Follow her progress, donate, or offer support by visiting her website.