THE Isle of Man Walking Festival got underway this morning with a record number of walkers taking part in the 7th staging of the event.

All the walkers attended a busy registration session at the Villa Marina in Douglas last night when festival organser Mick Salmon spoke to the record 225 participants, welcoming many to the Isle of Man for the first time.

The Isle of Man’s unpredictable weather made life difficult for the first morning of the festival today (Monday) with the possibility of some mountain routes being amended to avoid the low cloud and rain covering the Island’s high ground.

However, the weather forecast is for the conditions to improve throughout the day and the remainder of the week looks to be more settled with the best days probably being Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

A record number of volunteer walk leaders are involved in this year’s record breaking festival, taking groups of up to 20 walkers on scenic and coastal paths all over the Island.

In addition, a group of 22 experienced walkers is tackling the 95 mile Coastal Footpath challenge, led by well known local walker Mike Quayle who has extensive experience of climbing and walking in the Himalayas.

Two more new walks are also included in this year’s programme which has again been put together by festival organiser Mike Salmon. The Millennium Way is completed over two days and The Herring Way (Bayr ny Skeddan) takes place on Thursday, but is for experienced walkers only.

Social activities have also been provided by the Department off Tourism each evening in the Villa Marina, including Manx dancing, a jazz night, and the final night with an oompah band and presentation of certificates to all wakers.

isleofman.com will provide daily updates and photographs of the Walking Festival throughout this week.