AN ABERDEENSHIRE resident is making his way to North Berwick to see his best pal – and Idlewild in concert at Fringe by the Sea – entirely on foot.

Matt Kinghorn, of Pitmedden, set out on Monday to walk more than 180 miles from his home to North Berwick, to catch up in person with his best friend, Chris Newton, and to highlight men’s mental health issues.

Matt, 42, regularly walks on Aberdeen Beach for 'walkie talkie' sessions, offering his company to those who need to chat.

Father-of-two Matt told the Courier: “Life hit me hard and I needed to talk to friends.

"When I started to speak to my pals, I found they genuinely cared.

“So I want to show people there is always a way, so we walk and talk, and by doing that, it can help.”

He added: “Chris, who lives in North Berwick, has been my best friend for as long as I can remember.

“Now he lives so far away we can only talk on Zoom calls. So I said to him: ‘I’m going to walk to you, to walk and talk!’”

Matt is aiming to arrive in North Berwick on Saturday – the very day that Chris’s brother, Idlewild drummer Colin, will be playing at Fringe by the Sea.

READ MORE: Fringe by the Sea 2024: What's still to come at North Berwick festival

He said: “Coincidentally, Idlewild will be playing! If I have to keep walking through the night, I will get there on Saturday.

“I will get to meet Chris and have a pint in the sunshine.”

A proud Chris said: “My initial reaction when he told me was: 'There are cars and trains!'

“But it is so important to him and me that we maintain our friendship and are always there for one another.

“For Matt to do this is so important – it’s important for men’s mental health.

“What he’s doing is outstanding and I’m dead proud of him.”

Matt’s journey can be followed on Instagram @BardyPoet