Walks 2022:
Short Walk: Dalziel Park (Estate)
Date: 16th December 2022
Walk Leaders: Janette Swann and Janet Bryce
Distance: 3 miles Grade: C Circular
Meet at: Baronshaugh Car Park 10.15. Walk will start at 10.30
Christmas jumpers and hats, if you wish
Terrain: Tarmac Paths/roads,woodland paths,will be muddy and covered in leaves ,
Boots and poles essential
There are no toilet facilities but we are not far from Asda where you can have a toilet stop before coming to the car park. Asda also does soup,roll and a drink for £1 if anyone wants to go at the end of the walk. {over 60s}
Leave Car Park and turn right to go downhill towards River Clyde. Go across little bridge and turn into Chestnut Grove. At the bottom turn left to go along by the river. Carry on until we do a left hand turn up into the wooded area.
We will stop at this point for a short break and a drink and possibly a little Christmas treat. The next part of the walk is uphill but we will take it slowly and stop as many times as needed. At the top of the hill we go left until we come to a little bridge. At the top of this path we can go right to see the Covenanters oak and then back track along to the Japanese Garden. We then carry on back round to the car park.
Recce carried out on 28th November by Janette Bryce and Jeanette Swann
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Long Walk: Cambuslang to People’s Palace, Glasgow Green.
Please note – This walk is changed from the programme slightly due to length and lack of toilet facilities.
Date: 2nd December 2022
Distance: 7.6miles. Grade C Linear. O.S. Explorer 342
Walk Leaders – Wilma Stewart and Liz Meikle
Poles optional,Boots recommended . Christmas Jumpers and Hats if you have them.
This walk follows the Clyde Walkway and National Cycle Route No 75 so we should listen out for cycle bells as we walk. The walk is flat and on tarmac paths with lovely views of the River Clyde on our left all the way. Look out for wildlife – we spotted some cormorants on the river and 2 deer in a woodland area.
The bus will drop us at Morrisons, Cambuslang where there are toilet facilities and a takeaway café.We leave the car park, take slight left, cross road with care at the island. Take 2nd left, crossing Clyde Bridge and then left again following sign for Glasgow City Centre. We carry on the Walkway, going under a road and rail bridges, then under the busy M74 bridge. The path loops to follow the Clyde and on the right we will pass the 35 hectare site, set in Dalmarnock, which was the Athlete’s Village for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.Since the Games, further housing has been built, a mixture of private homes, rental properties, a care home and a Primary School. At the footbridge we climb some steps into Edmonton Terrace, then take right before the football pitch,and right again to cross the footbridge into Cuningar Loop. Stop on the bridge to view the Emirates Arena and Celtic Park on the left. We will stop in Cuningar Loop Woodland Park for lunch as there are plenty seats around the Events Arena and a good view of the 23 metre high Hope Sculpture,which was erected as a permanent reminder of Glasgow’s role as host of Cop26 Climate Summit in November 2021. We retrace our steps back onto the Walkway, heading towards Glasgow Green , passing the Glasgow Green Football Centre and Hockey Centre on our right. We continue along the Clyde,taking right at signs for the People’s Palace where we end our walk. Toilets and Café are available there.
Recce completed 11th November 2022 by Wilma Stewart, Liz Meikle, Janice Donaldson,Janis Whitefield.
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Short Walk: Strathclyde Park to Orbiston
Date: 18 November 2022
Walk Leaders: Hugh Atkinson and Jeanette Swann
Distance: 4.5 miles Grade: C Circular
Terrain: Roads, pavements, gravel surfaces, woodland paths. (Depending on weather conditions could be puddles and mud).
Other possible hazards: wet leaves, grass areas, could be soft under foot, roads to cross, care required.
Boots required, poles optional.
Meet at the car park in front of M & D’ s at 10:15 am, Toilets and cafe available.
Start the walk at 10:30 am.
Walk down the pavement until you reach the Alona Hotel, turn right into the large car park and walk down until you come to a large red & white gate on your left, go through the gate and continue on this road until the first junction on your right, go down this road until you see a large silver gate on your right, walk around the side of this gate and walk along the path and take the first turn right into the wooded area, stay on this path past the bottom of the large M & D;s car park then go under a bridge and start up an incline ( we will stop a few times on the ascent) which will take you up over a railway bridge. Go right at far side of bridge and the path comes out onto a grass area, go straight ahead until you reach Bothwellhaugh Road, turn left, walk up pavement to the junction with McCallum Gardens, turn right, cross the road and continue to the junction with Community Road, cross the road go right and walk down the pavement to the ‘Y’ junction cross the road onto Orbiston Road, walk on then go into Strathclyde Park at the entrance with the two pillars on your right. Keep on this path until you see two large pillars on your left, turn right, and at the‘Y’ junction bear right, walk up to Bothwellhaugh Road, cross the road into the car park, go straight ahead into the woodland area, follow the path, and at the second path on your left, go left, continue on this path until you see the loch, through the trees, take the path on your right and then the first path on you left which take you down into a car park. Go right, follow the car park round to the left (watch out for cars) and take the small path straight ahead, down to the wooden barrier at the road, go right along the grass onto the pavement, continue on back to the start point.
Recce Completed by: Hugh Atkinson & Jeanette Swann accompanied by Janette Bryce & Harry Corbet. Date: 31 October 2022
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Long Walk: Helensburgh
Date: 4 November 2022
Walk Leaders: Sheena Strachan & Grace Gentles
Distance: 6.5 miles circular Grade: C
Terrain: Paths ,Stone Paths and Woodland Paths.
Boots and Walking Poles recommend.
From the esplanade we walk up Sinclair Street for nearly 1.5km .This is a steady climb
We will take our time and stop when needed we will pass the upper Station then turn into Kennedy Drive sign posted Hill House turn right into Colquhoun Street and pass Hill House head into the car park and on the left we will see a finger post to Rhu Marina we follow a stony track and through a gate into a mix of woodland and open ground .
This track known as the Upland Way affords good views across to Glen Fruin
After crossing open ground it continues through a gate and back into a large forested area made up of four woods .
At a sign post head for Rhu Marina to take a pretty path that winds through the trees. Crossing several little bridges as it rises gradually it comes out at another sign for Rhu Marina we pass an ancient cup marked boulder .
Turn left to follow the long straight Highlandsmans Road all the way down to Rhu ,carry down hill passing grand houses and lovely gardens before turning left onto Pier Road which takes you down to the Marina,cross Gareloch Road here and turn left to return along the promenade to Helensburgh town centre ,end of walk
Recce completed 21 October Sheena Strachan and GraceGentles
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Short Walk : Chatelherault
DATE: 21 October 2022
Walk Leaders : Alan Nicolson & Harry Corbet
Distance : 4.5 miles Grade C Circular
Terrain : Paths and tracks with one stile to go over
Boots essential , poles recommended
Meet at : Chatelherault car park at 10.15am
From the car park we will go up past the visitor centre and over Duke’s bridge, continue up the hill and branch left. We will continue to follow signs for the Green bridge, until a stile and gate on the right.
We will go over the stile and follow the narrow path straight up the slope. It widens out to become a track and continues straight on until meeting a bend on a surfaced road. Here we turn right and keep following the track through various fields until High Parks Farm is reached.
We then go through the gates and continue until a path on the right with a Chatelherault map on it .
We take this path and keep following signs for visitor centre and then to the car park.
Recce carried out by Alan Nicolson and Harry Corbet
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LONG WALK - Skelmorlie to Largs.
DATE: 7/10/22
Walk Leaders : Elinor Bones & Janet Strang
DISTANCE: 7.5 miles Grade C+ Linear Map Ref: OS Landranger 63
TERRAIN: Tarmac roads and pavements.
BOOTS and POLES recommended.
The walk starts at Wemyss Bay railway station where there are toilets.
From here we make our way up Station Road to Skelmorlie. This is a sharp ascent, but we will take our time. The route continues through the village of Skelmorlie heading uphill towards the Ayrshire Coastal path.
When we reach the end of the village we take the middle road and follow the Red Road.
From here on the walk continues on country road with no pavements. Great care needs to be taken . The views over the Firth of Clyde to Arran and beyond are magnificent on a clear day and we were lucky enough to experience this.
The road continues past Skelmorlie Caravan and Camping Site and after some time we descend past Skelmorlie castle to the shore. Lunch can be taken on the shore but we have to cross the busy A78 so great care needs to be taken here.
From here after crossing back over the A78 we turn left and walk up to the hamlet of Meigle. This is a fairly long ,gradual climb through Meigle and back up to the Coastal path, but again we enjoy lovely views. We continue along the Coastal path for a few miles until the road gradually descends as we pass the golf course. This takes us back down to the shoreline and we make our way along pavements into Largs. Here there are good FREE public toilets and several coffee shops!
Recce completed 29/09/22 by Elinor Bones and Janet Strang.
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Long Walk: Loch Ard Forest, Duchray
Date: 2 September 2022
Walk Leaders: Patrica Clark & Irene Brownlie
Distance: 7 MILES GRADE “C +” Circular
TERRAIN: Good forest paths
MAP REF: O.S LANDRANGER 57
We start at car park in Aberfoyle. On leaving car park, turn left and continue along the main road in direction of Kinlochard. At Milton turn left at S P for Loch Ard Paths and Car Park. Continue along narrow road for about ¼ of a mile to the car park and turn right at S P to Kinlochard following red marker post.
After going up a gentle hill the path splits, follow the route to the right and the red marker post. Continue along the path to a picnic table and a small loch on the left. Keeping along the path we come to a sign post to Lochard pointing right. Turn right and continue to follow the red marker post. Go left at the U bend and soon you come to Loch Ard and some lovely views. At T junction it is worth a few moments to view the loch. Turn right and follow red and black marker. Lunch will be along here. Ignore a path to the left (red marker) and follow black marker path. Continue along the path and we rejoin red and black marker post. Across the loch is a white rock known as Helen’s rock. (It’s named after Helen MacGregor, wife of Rob Roy and celebrates an incident described in one of Sir Walter Scott’s books when she took refuge on it). We pass Lochend Cottage and turn right at the road following the sign to the Car Park which is up a slight incline. At the car park there’s a cross roads. Turn left following the sign to Aberfoyle 2mls and take the first path on the right hand side following the green marker. Continue along the path up a slight incline and turn left at the sign Aberfoyle 1.5 miles still following the green marker and soon going along the edge of Lochan Spling. Here there are statues in the water. At the end of the loch at Y junction turn right and after a short distance at the crossroads turn left S P Aberfoyle 1ml. At T junction turn left to Aberfoyle, along a road and over a bridge, take care as no foot path here, which crosses the River Forth arriving back at Aberfoyle car park.
At various places along the way are some interesting sculptures, some easily seen while others are hidden in the trees.
There are toilets at the side of the tourist office in Aberfoyle and cafes and shops along the main street.
Poles are optional but walking shoes/boots recommended due to rough path in places.
Recce done on 26th August 2022 by Patricia Clark and Irene Brownlie
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Short Walk: Summerlee to Drumpellier
Date: Friday 16th September 2022
Walk Leaders: Robin Stewart & Jeanette Swann
Distance: 4.5 miles Grade C Circular
Terrain: Flat tarmac and woodland paths which could be muddy with fallen leaves.
Boots essential poles optional.
Meet at: Summerlee car park at 10:15am
Walk begins and ends at Summerlee where there are toilet facilities and coffee. We will walk down through Summerlee and out the wrought iron gates on to the canal path. We follow canal path until we enter Drumpellier country park. We make our way round to the visitor centre where there are toilet facilities. We can stop here for refreshments and a snack if needed. We then carry on round the park and retrace our footsteps to Summerlee.
Recce carried out 29th August by Jeanette Swann and Janette Bryce
Accompanied by Hugh Atkinson and Harry Corbet
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Short Walk : Lanark Loch
Date: 19th August 2022
Walk Leaders: Harry Corbet & Alan Nicolson
Distance :4.5 miles Grade C Circular
Terrain: Tarmac pavements, gravel paths (could be muddy within woodland
areas), tree roots (care required), moderate inclines/declines.
Boots required, poles optional.
Bus Information:
Hamilton Bus Station, Bus no. 41 to Lanark, departs 9:25 am approx.
Motherwell, West Hamilton Street (opposite Aldi).
Wishaw, Main Street.
To arrive at Lanark Bus Station 10:28 am approx.
By Car, could park at:
Braidfute retail park, Old Market Road, ML11 7LQ.
Car Park, Ladyacre road B7017, opposite the ESSO petrol station.
Lanark Loch. (Note: if you park at the loch the walk will start at 11:20 am approx.
and walk distance will be 3 miles. Cafe & toilets available at the top part of car
park, furthest from main road).
Meet at Valerio’s Fish & Chips Restaurant, next to the bus station. Coffee/tea
snacks & toilets available.
Start the walk at 11 am approx.
Leave Valero’s and turn left then left again and walk towards Morrison’s main
entrance, go right then left and follow the pavement around Morrison’s until you
reach Whitelees Road, bear left and follow the road (part of this road has no
pavement, walk on right, single file), until you reach a large metal gate, take the
public footpath on the right. When you reach the car park go left down to the
children’s play area in Lanark Loch, go clockwise around the loch and about
three quarters way round you will see the sign “Cycle Trail”, go left and take the
path straight ahead up a slight incline, keeping to the left until you reach the tree
on your left with a ‘Blue Arrow’, go right, follow path which runs slightly parallel
to the race course. On reaching T junction turn left and follow the path for 3⁄4 mile
until you reach a metal gate on your right, go round the gate onto the race
course, turn right and walk along the race course until you reach the road, turn
first right then retrace your steps back to the loch side.
Go left when you reach the loch and continue to walk clockwise around the loch
back to the children’s play area, then retrace your steps back to Morrisons.
Recce completed by: H.Corbet & A. Nicolson Date: 8th Aug 2022
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Long Walk: Cramond Village to South Queensferry
Date: Friday 5th August 2022
Distance: 7 miles Grade C+ Linear
Terrain: good paths and mainly flat.
Boots recommended, poles optional.
The bus drops us off in Cramond Village where there are free public toilets. There is a good
view of Cramond Island which can be visited at low tide.
We turn left and follow the foreshore, then river bank upstream. Take right after metal gate
onto lower path next to river.Look out for the salmon ladder at the weir then there are 2
sets of very steep steps – one up then one down. We take right forks, keeping to riverside.
Continue ahead to T-junction at Dowies Mill Lane. Take right crossing the stone bridge over
the River Almond.
Take right to enter Dalmeny Estate through metal gates. Continue on this estate road,
ignoring roads to the left and following sign for Coble Cottage going straight ahead. At the
bottom of this path, with beach ahead, take left. We walk parallel to the beach and will stop
for lunch on Drum Sands.
We cross a tarmac road, following signs for John Muir Way, passing the Golf Course,
Dalmeny house on our left and Barnbougle Castle ahead. At end of Golf Course, take right
onto surfaced Estate Road. We pass Whitehouse Bay and Peatdraught Bay and see glimpses
of the Forth Bridges. We continue past Hawes Pier into South Queensferry where the bus
will pick us up.
Walk Leaders – Pamela Colligan, Wilma Stewart and Liz Meikle Date: 26 July 2022
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Short Walk: Moffat
Date: 15th July 2022
Distance: 4 miles - circular - grade C
Walk Leaders : Jeanette Swann & Janet Bryce
Terrain: Pavements (where pavement ends, walk on right hand side of road, single file) , river paths (stoney, some large stones & tree roots sticking up, large fallen tree branch) care required.
Boots & poles required.
Meet at: Hamilton Bus Station 9:20 am take the X74 bus to Moffat. Arrive Moffat at 10:45 am.
Start walk from the Ram Statue at 11:00 am.
Head up high street, at the junction turn right onto Academy road A701, when you reach the roundabout go right onto Beechgrove (old Academy building on your right). Continue for about ¾ mile until you see sign on you right `1 ¼ Moffat / waterside walk`.
Follow the track down, go through the `kissing gate` and turn left and follow the path back to Moffat. On reaching the road A701 cross, with care, into `Station Park`. Do a half circle of the park and come back out onto A701 road.
Turn left walk down to the controlled crossing, cross over and turn right then turn first left `The Glebe` walk on until you reach the small roundabout and on your right admire the `Spitfire plane in the house garden. Retrace your steps back to the A701 road, cross road, with care, and walk on past the ESSO station and take the next right into `The Woollen Mill`, walk ends here.
Plenty of places in Moffat for lunch, etc..
X74 bus leaves Moffat at 25 minutes past the hour.
RECCE completed by: Jeanette Swann, Janette Bryce, Hugh Atkinson & Harry Corbet Date; 04 July 2022
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Long Walk : Troon Circular.
Date: Friday 1st July.
Walk leaders: Elinor Bones and Alison Mochrie.
Distance: 7 miles Grade C+ Circular
Terrain: pavements, promenade, woodland paths. One set of steps up and down. Boots recommended, poles optional
NOTE - The toilets where we start the walk cost 30p. THIS CAN ONLY BE PAID USING YOUR DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD !! CASH IS NO LONGER ACCEPTED.
The walk starts on the esplanade beside the toilets . We proceed north along the esplanade towards the site of the former swimming pool . Just before reaching the Ballast Bank we turn down Wood Road to the north shore where the walk continues alongside the shoreline to Barassie. Here we cross the main road and turn right into Hillhouse Road then right into Hillhouse Gardens towards the railway station. We turn right and go through a tunnelled lane which goes under the main road to a set of steps. At the top of the steps we turn right and cross the bridge and descend the steps at the other side to join a path which goes along the side of the golf course to Marr College.
After passing the College we proceed to the main road where we cross at the lights , turn left and walk down the main road to Wilson Avenue . This road leads to Fullarton Woods. We join the Smugglers Trail through the woods to a picnic area where we will stop for lunch. — FREE toilets here !
After lunch we continue on the Smugglers Trail past the site where Crosby Castle used to stand and past the remains of Fullarton House . Passing Troon Rugby Club on the left and following the path straight ahead we pass the ruins of Crosby Kirk which is undergoing restoration work at the moment. Here we carefully cross the busy Monktonhall Road and take the path alongside the Lochgreen Hotel which leads to a path along the side of the golf course. This path takes us back on to the main road where we turn left and walk along the pavement towards the Marine Hotel. We then join the South Esplanade and make our way back to where we started the walk.
Recce completed by: Elinor Bones, Alison Mochrie and Linda Christie. Date:23 June 2022
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Long Walk: Greenock Cut
Date : Friday 10 June 2022
Walk Leaders: Janette Strang & Patricia Clark
Distance: 7 Miles Grade: C+ Circular
Terrain Good Paths and Roads. Walking shoes/Boots recommended, Poles opytional.
O.S MAP: 63
The walk starts at the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre where there are toilets. From the Centre we turn left and follow a tarmac road (the Overton Track) with Compensation Reservoir on our right hand side. We continue along the track past Loch Thom cottage on our right and then Loch Thom. Just after Loch Thom Cottage on the left hand side there is a restored Memorial Well to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders which is worth a short stop. This part of the route is a gradual uphill stretch. At the top the views back down are lovely, weather permitting. Then we round a corner over the crest of the hill and the Firth of Clyde opens up in front of us. After passing Reservoir no. 8, we join a footpath to the left, with a white cottage on the right, and then onto the Greenock Cut. Along the cut/aqueduct which supplied Greenock with water during the 19th century, there are 23 stone bridges and also some stunning views of the Firth of Clyde. The flat track continues till we reach Shielhill Farm where we cross the road (leading to Inverkip) and follow the track till we return to the Visitor Centre. The track along the Cut is quite exposed so appropriate clothing is required depending on the weather.
There is a small Cafe near the Visitor Centre.
Recce completed by: Janette Strang, Patricia Clark. Date: 27 May 2022
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Short Walk: Forth
Date: Friday 17 June 2018
Walk Leaders: Hugh Atkinson & Harry Corbet
Distance: 4.5 miles Grad C Circular Duration: 2 hours approx.
Terrain: pavements, grassy trails, stoney/gravel paths, some moderate inclines.
Hazards: tree roots, uneven surfaces, stepping stones across some muddy parts. Roads to cross, care required.
Boots required, walking poles optional
Meet at: Chatelherault 9:30 am for car share, please supply name and telephone number, if car share required, also anyone with a car willing to car share, phone Hugh Atkinson on 01698 833215, leave message, if not available.
Meet at: Forth Sport Centre, Main Street, 10:15 am, postcode ML11 8AW. Toilet facilities, at Sports Centre. (If you bring a coffee and a biscuit, a few tables to sit at in the S.C.)
The Inns Restaurant is at 50 Main Street, for lunch, after walk.
Walk will start form the Sports Centre at 10:45 am,
(Refer to the route map attachment on the e-mail)
Leave Sports Centre, go R and R again down the side of the SC, go down the steps and cross the playing field and exit through the gate to the road, go L, walk along the pavement until you reach the T junction, cross the road, with care, go R then next L onto a grassy path, follow map (e- mail attachment). Walk around The Glen passing the Bell Pits, Peat Pond & the Ironworks, then retrace your step back to the Sports Centre.
Recce completed by: Hugh Atkinson & Harry Corbet
Date: 16th May 2022
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Short Walk: Garron Bridges to Cambusnethan
DATE: 20th May 2022
WALK LEADERS: Joan Brown and Liz Meikle
DISTANCE: approx 4miles Grade C Circular
Boots recommend, poles optional
OS SHEET: 71
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
Due to the roadworks at Horsley Brae we cannot access the footpath as planned. We will now meet on the old Lanark Road. Driving from Hamilton on the Lanark Road (A72) take the very last left turn before the new roundabout which would take you down to Garrion Bridge. Coming from the motorway, Ayr Road (A71) take the first left at the new roundabout onto Lanark Road and turn immediately right. From Garrion turn right onto the Lanark Road at the new roundabout and turn immediately right. There are housing billboards at the turn but it also has a sign saying “Lanark Road, Telfer Court.” There is ample parking there.
Meet at 10:30 am.
Start walk:
From the cars we walk back towards the Lanark Road going straight on past some houses (avoiding the road we have just driven down). We continue to walk on the grass verge towards the lay-by where we take the path to the right. This leads us to the Green Tubular Bridge. We cross the bridge and turn right. We come to a fork at a post. We go left through a gate here. Continuing on we reach a crossroads where we turn left. We continue to follow this path on a long, steady climb. We eventually arrive at a junction where we can see Cambusnethan Priory on our left. We will stop there for a drink and a snack. Leaving the Priory we turn left following the path and after bearing left at the first junction, walk towards the farm where we turn right. Shortly after we reach a metal kissing gate on our left. We go through the gate and follow the path along the River Clyde avoiding a fallen tree. Coming out of this path we take care as we have walk over a fallen fence. After a short walk we come across the Green Bridge on our right. We climb up the stairs to the bridge and turn right on the opposite side. We follow this path to the road and turning left we walk back to the parked cars.
Recce done on Monday 2nd May 2022 by Joan Brown and Liz Meikle
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Long Walk: Peebles to Lyne
Date: Friday 6th May 2022
Walk leaders: Grace Gentles and Alison Mochrie
Distance: 7miles Grad:C + Circular OS 73
Coach from Chatelherault 9:15am
Terrain :Mostly good paths .Some stretches are muddy due to wet weather .
Boots and poles recommended.
As the Greenside Car Park has no toilets and no parking for a coach we will go to the Car Park in Peebles over the bridge where their are toilets however their is a charge for the toilets of 30 pence no change given they take 20 and 10 pences.
No Coffee available .
Start and finish: Greenside Car Park Peebles.
The walk starts at the car park we will take the steps at the side of the bridge cross the road carefully and go down to the Greenside Car Park where we join the riverside path through Hay Lodge Park .Continue past Neidpath Castle you will come to a bridge go up the steps at the side of the bridge this takes you on to the former railway line .
Go alone the railway line to the Manor Valley Road. Cross the road and take the stile and steps opposite to gain access to the former railway line.
Cross the bridge over the Lyne water this will be the lunch stop.
Go down the steps on the left hand side ,then right alone the lane.
Continue past the houses and on a path to the footbridge over the Tweed .
At the far side of the bridge turn left and follow the path through the wood to Millbraehead. Then join the driveway leading to Barns Tower ,continue past the tower and after 350 m turn left along a path returning you to the riverside .Follow this path until you reach Manor Bridge ascend the steps go over the stile turn left and follow the signs marked The Tweed Walk this will return to the river path which leads use back to Peebles alone the river .
Recce Date: 10April by Grace Gentles ,Pamela Colligan,Elinor Bones ,David Swann.
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Short Walk: Douglas
Date: 22 April 2022
Walk leaders: Jeanette Swan and Hugh Atkinson
Distance: 4 miles Grade: C Circular
Terrain: Gravel /grass / loose stone paths, one intermediate incline. will stop a few times for a rest.
Boots and poles are required (definitely for the loose stone paths).
Meet at: Chatelherault 9:30 am for car share, please supply name and telephone number, if car share required and anyone with a car willing to car share, phone Hugh Atkinson on 01698 833215, leave message, if not available.
Meet at: Douglas 10:30am at St Brides Centre car park, Braehead Rd, ML11 0PT
Coffee places: Crossburn Kitchen (behind petrol station) & Douglas Bakery, limited seating, they do take aways and have toilets, public toilets closed, could use the Cairn Lodge Services, ML11 0RJ, of M74 Jct11, B7078 road, on the way to & from Douglas,
Start: Walk back out to the main road and turn right and walk down into Douglas until you come to the petrol station turn right onto main street pass ‘St Brides Church’ until you come to a Y junction go left, Keep to the broad track that skirts ‘Stable Loch’.
At the ruined ‘Castle Dangerous’ go downhill and cross the iron bridge, at ‘Garden House’ turn right continue until you come to the double gates, on the left, go through and follow the track on a steady uphill path, at the top left turn onto the forest track. After about ½ mile track narrows look out for the remains of the mine buildings on your left and fork left downhill through light woodlands. Cross the blue bridge and go straight along the edge of the playing field and follow the lane to the road, right turn and retrace the route back to the car park.
Recce completed by: Jeanette Swann, Hugh Atkinson, Janette Bryce & David Swann
Date: 25th March 2022
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Long Walk. : The Penicuik to Eskbank Railway
Date: Friday 8th April 2022
Walk Leaders: Kathleen Hunter & Pamela Colligan
Distance: 7.5 miles Grade: C+ Linear
Terrain. Flat walk with tarmac and gravel paths
Boots recommended, poles optional
Toilets. Tesco at Hermiston Gate
OS Landranger Map. No. 66
Coach at Chatelherault 9:15 am
PLEASE NOTE: MASKS MUST BE WORN ON BUS
This walk is now starting at Penicuik.
We drive through via a toilet stop at Tesco Hermiston Gate to Penicuik where we start our walk. We walk down into Valleyfield Park, passing a pretty pond and then cross over the picturesque River Esk. Continue along the riverside, passing through Beeslack Woods, crossing the river on several occasions to walk through a long tunnel reaching the small hamlet of Auchendinny - the path joins a street where we meet a further tunnel before reaching the first disused station at Roslin where we plan to stop for lunch.
After lunch we walk on, arriving at a large roundabout beside a housing estate. This is a busy roundabout and care has to be taken in crossing around it to rejoin the path along the old railway line. We then pass the remains of Rosewell and Bonnyrigg stations before reaching the Eskbank Railway line and following the path down to a large Tesco supermarket - here we will meet the bus for a short drive to Dobbies Garden Centre at Lasswade for toilets and coffee or tea.
Recci done by: Kathleen Hunter, Pamela Colligan, Grace Gentles & Sheena Strachan
Date: 18th March 2022
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Short Walk: Castlebank Park, Lanark to New Lanark.
Date: Friday 18th March 2022
Walk Leaders: Joan Brown and Jean Robertson
Distance: 3.5m Grade C Circular
OS sheet 71
Meet at: 10:30 am at Castlebank Park, Lanark
Boots and poles recommended
Can be reached by both bus and train. If you are a driver please be considerate to members who don’t drive and perhaps offer to car share, if you can.
Castlebank Park is signposted on the right as you approach Lanark from the A72 just before you get to the main Street. Turning right onto Friars Lane don’t take any roads to the right. Keep going down Friars Lane until you come to the gates into the park. There is ample parking. From the train station and bus station walk down through the town towards Hamilton picking up the sign to Castlebank Park on your left as the road narrows.
You may bring a packed lunch but you could buy something in the New Lanark café. Remember time will be limited. There are toilets in the main building. At the end you may decide to stop in Lanark for a coffee with friends before returning to your car.
As we walk into the park we will head towards the Horticultural Centre, Fairy Dell and Bog Garden for a wee look around before we set off. We walk down through the Rose Garden we will drop down towards the bridge. There are a few hazards on the way down, a fallen tree and a few steep descents that could also be muddy. After the bridge we turn left and follow a good woodland path along the river. There are steps as we climb up into to New Lanark. We will take our time as always
We will stop in New Lanark for lunch and toilet.
From the tearoom we go up the stairs and turn right then walk along the path. Further on we pick up a sign to Lanark. This is an uphill road as you can imagine but more gentle than the very steep road from New Lanark to the main carpark. It’s all hilly around here!! The burn is the Ponclair Burn. (I think)
We come onto Braxfield Road as we approach Lanark. We merge onto Wellgatehead.
At this point those who want to leave to go for coffee can continue into Lanark. The walk turns left into Delves Road signed Glenmuir 1891. At the factory we turn right into Delve Park. We walk through the little park towards the car park at Castlebank.
Recce done 11/02/2022 By Joan Brown, Jean Robertson, Liz Meikle and Janis Whitefield
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Long Walk: Forth and Clyde Canal, Glasgow
Date: Friday 4th March 2022.
Walk Leaders: Grace Gentles, Patricia Clark & Janet Strang.
Distance: 5 miles Grade C Linear
Terrain :Tarmac ,pavements canal paths .
Boots advised poles optional
Toilets at Buchanan Street charge 30 pence
Meet at Buchanan Street Bus Station at 11am
We will walk from the bus station to joint the Forth and .Clyde Canal at Port Dundas ,we will follow the canal to Maryhill Road as the canal is being developed and the path is blocked it will not reopen untill July 2022 ,we leave the canal and make our way down to Maryhill Road toilets can be used at Tesco ,we then exit Tesco by the rear car park walk across the road and follow signs for the Kelvin Walkway .
We enter a park which will be the lunch stop
After lunch we continue through the park which runs alone side the Kelvin walkway ,we leave the park and enter the Botanic Gardens which we will walk through and leave by the Exit to Byres Road which will be the end of the walk .
This will allow everyone a choice of Subway or Bus back to the centre of Glasgow their are also coffee shops available on Byres Road .
Recce completed 23 February by
Patricia Clark ,Grace Gentles ,Janet Strang
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Long Walk : Crossford to Braidwood
Friday 4th February 2022
Walk Leaders: Joan Brown & Liz Meikle
Distance 5.6m Grade C + Circular
OS Explorer 343
Hazards There are 2-3 trees to be negotiated. Nothing too hard.
Paths A mixture of tarred roads and good woodland paths. There are a few assents. Remember we will take our time. Stick and stout boots recommended.
Please bring a packed lunch.
The walk starts from the Clyde Valley Family Park. As stated on the programme there is a £2 charge for all day parking. Pay at the machine and use your ticket to exit at the barrier.
From the car park we walk towards the back of the Centre and passing the log pile we take the path uphill. We take care crossing the Nemphlar Road and continue uphill ignoring the 'No Through Road' sign. At Burnhead Steading we continue straight on. We ignore the path to Birkhill. At this point we can see Lee Castle in the distance. We ignore the path signposted Nemphlar Moor Road. At the big house we follow the road to the left. We continue on to the Lanark Road. At Lanark Road we turn left and walking on the grass on the left hand side we turn left at the bus stop. We come to a gate and we go straight through. On reaching a sign turn right walking along to the school. We pass the school taking the second road on the left, taking us up to the main road. At the main road we walk a little to the right crossing over to Braidwood Pond for lunch. There are a lot of benches to sit on around the pond. Coming out of the park we turn right and follow the road to Woodhall Road and we turn left. At Woodgill Cottage we turn right. At Hampshill farm we turn left. At the bottom of the hill we turn left signposted St Oswalds Chapel Farm. We come to a silvered gate into a house which we ignore turning right. We follow the path at one point crossing Fiddler's Gill. We turn right as we come to the path we walked on earlier and follow back downhill to the Clyde Valley Family Park. There is a tearoom there if anyone wants to have a tea of coffee at the end.
Recce done 15/01/22 Joan Brown, Liz Meikle, Wilma Stewart, Janis Whitefield and Janice Donaldson
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Short Walk: Cadzow Glen
Date: 18 Feb 2022
Walk leaders: David & Jeanette Swann
Distance: 3/3.5 miles Grade C Circular
*As with all walks if the government introduces new measures walks may be cancelled. Nearer the time please check the Web site to see if this is the case.*
Terraine: There are a few main roads to cross which we will do ay the traffic lights. Paths can be muddy.
Boots recommened, pole optional
Walk starts and ends at Asda. Meet in the open space between Asda and the Cinema at 10.30 where there are toilets. Walk will start at 10.45.
We walk up to top Cross and then up to Quik Fit garage. We will enter the Glen here. There are a number of steps up and then around 30 down into the Glen. We will walk through the Glen taking in the history of the area. Once we come out of the Glen we cross over and go down by the Museum into the grounds of the Mausoleum and walk round the perimeter ending back at Asda.
Recce completed by: David and Jeanette Swann Date:15th January
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Short Walk: Strathclyde Park, Woodland Walk
Date: 21 January 2022
Walk Leaders: Hugh Atkinson / Robin Stewart
Distance: 4 miles Grade: C Circular Duration: 2 Hours
*As with all walks if the government introduces new measures walks may be cancelled. Nearer the time please check the Web site to see if this is the case.*
Terrain: Tarmac, gravel and woodland paths (could be muddy in places). Moderate inclines/declines, some steps. Roads to cross over, within park, care required. Leaves on paths, could be slippery, care required.
Boots required, poles optional.
Meet at Strathclyde Park Watersports Centre at 10:30 am. Toilets and coffee available (cafe open at 10am}.
Complete record of attendee's for Track & Trace, commence walk at 10:45am approx,
For the walk route, please refer to attachment, on your Email.
Recce completed by: Hugh Atkinson / Robin Stewart, accompanied by Harry Corbet & David Swann Date: 14th January 2022
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Long walk: Summerlee /Drumpellier on Friday 7th January 2022
Walk Leaders: Jeanette Swann & Sheena Strachan
Distance: 6 miles Grade C Circular
*As with all walks if the government introduces new measures walks may be cancelled. Nearer the time please check the Web site to see if this is the case.*
Terrain: Fairly flat tarmac paths and woodland paths which were a bit muddy with lots of leaves.
Boots essential, poles optional. .
Walk begins and ends at Summerlee where there are toilet facilities and coffee at end of walk, if desired.
We will leave from Summerlee main entrance and make our way down to the canal path. We follow canal path until we get to the bridge that takes us over the canal into Drumpelier Country Park. We then make our way round to visitor centre where we will have our packed lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables and toilet facilities. After lunch we carry on round the Loch making our way back to Summerlee.
Recce carried out by Sheena Strachan and Jeanette Swann accompanied by Janette Bryce
Date: 13 December 2021