Wednesday February 11th 2026
Victoria with, from left to right, Cabinet Member for Active Travel Councillor Dianne Alexander, Oliver Caron-Nowak, the council’s Active Travel Marketing Officer (Schools) and Lasswade Primary Head Teacher Yvonne Gemmell.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Victoria, now an S1 pupil at Lasswade High School, returned to her former primary school recently to be presented with special merchandise featuring the Active Travel mascot she designed while in P7.
Her winning creation – a cheerful, characterful training shoe – took first prize in a county-wide competition run by Midlothian Council’s Active Travel Team.
The competition, open to all P5-P7 primary pupils across Midlothian, attracted hundreds of imaginative entries.
From this impressive response, the Active Travel Team shortlisted five designs for final consideration. Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Active Travel, Councillor Dianne Alexander, then selected Victoria’s design as the overall winner, praising it for “telling a story”, being highly adaptable and perfectly capturing the spirit of Active Travel.
Since its creation, the friendly training shoe has been transformed into a vibrant mascot taking part in a whole host of active and healthy pursuits – from skateboarding and scooting to walking and wheeling.
The public were also invited to help name the new character, with about 100 suggestions submitted. The name Middy Miles was ultimately chosen as the favourite after a second public vote.
Middy Miles is now a well‑loved presence across the council’s Active Travel activities, featuring on popular giveaways such as stickers and toys, as well as being proudly displayed throughout the council’s Active Travel Strategy.
Speaking at the presentation at Lasswade Primary School in Bonnyrigg, Victoria said she never expected to win, noting that even within her own class there were “others who could draw really well.” Seeing her design brought to life on merchandise has been a particular highlight, she said. Her younger sister Florence, who is eight and attends Lasswade Primary as a P4 pupil, even takes her Middy Miles toy to bed each night.
Lasswade Primary Head Teacher Yvonne Gemmell said the whole school is “incredibly proud” of Victoria. Her design was showcased at a school assembly where pupils and staff celebrated her achievement.
Outside of her artistic talents, Victoria enjoys Tae Kwon Do and previously took part in the school choir and football team. While she is still deciding what she might like to do in the future, her teachers agree that with so many talents, “the world is her oyster.”
To view the Midlothian Council’s Active Travel Strategy, click here.
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