At the SNP Conference this weekend the Ramblers' Association Scotland will call on politicians to "take up the baton and walk the path to 2014".

Delegates will be told that a sustained campaign to promote walking is needed if the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy is to include an improvement in Scotland's shocking health record.

Ramblers will be promoting the benefits of walking throughout the Conference and will be joined by Nicola Sturgeon, Depute leader of the SNP and Cabinet Secretary for Health, at the start of a short walk by the River Tay.

All conference delegates have been invited to join the walk led by members of the Perth Ramblers group.  Ramblers Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council have also provided a map of walks to encourage delegates to keep active during the conference.  There are three walking routes based on the conference venue.

Nicola will say: "As we walk toward the Commonwealth Games in 2014 I hope to see all Scots increasing their exercise levels and improving our nations health. Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to keep fit - whether it's walking to work, a lunchtime stroll or a Sunday walk in the country.

"This is an excellent initiative from Ramblers Scotland and shows that walking is an activity we can all take part in, wherever we live.  By 2014 Scots will be going for gold as the Commonwealth Games leaves a lasting legacy for a healthier Scotland."

Alison Turnbull, Ramblers promoting walking coordinator, will say: "Walking is fun, free and accessible to almost everyone! Only 30 minutes of walking a day 5 days a week will keep you healthy."

"Ramblers Scotland has been developing proposals to promote walking as a key legacy for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.   All the evidence points to walking being the key to getting people more active - something that previous games have largely failed to do."

"Our ideas include the development of a network of Bronze, Silver and Gold walking routes around communities across Scotland. All routes would be flat and easy, with Bronze routes taking 15 minutes, Silver routes 30 minutes and Gold routes 60 minutes."