Walk 286 - Balerno to Slateford along the Water of Leith

On a surprisingly dry and fairly sunny day thirteen Strollers met up at Balerno High School entrance to stroll along the Water of Leith walkway to the Water of Leith centre at Slateford. Some even had time for a quick bite in the breakout café at the rugby club before the walk.

Now that the pathway has a proper surface to it there were no more puddles to wade through or holes to try and avoid, though there were lots of donations left by horses and the occasional cyclist to avoid.

The path follows the route of the old Edinburgh to Balerno railway line which closed in 1967, though by then it was just a freight service. It benefitted us as it made a very nice flat walk. We passed the sites of some of the mills which used to line the Water of Leith and for whom the railway had kept running, like the Kinnauld Leather Mill and the Kinleith Paper Mill which had been there since the early 18th century. Flats and houses seem to be the new industry on these sites.

We stopped at Spylaw Park for a lunch break where we were joined by Ken B who had taken a wrong turn to catch up with us. This seemed to take in Glasgow, Perth and Glasgow again before joining us for lunch. Something about the piping needed fixed. He then went home for a rest. While in the park, we took the time to admire the house that used to be the home of James Gillespie who had snuff factories on the river. It’s now flats.

We then passed through the Colinton Tunnel with its painted walls reflecting the diversity of the area and the well-known people who lived here.

Finally, finishing at the Water of Leith Centre with most Strollers braving the walk over the aqueduct where it was time for a well-earned coffee or tea.

Thanks very much to Alistair B for arranging the walk and the lovely weather.

Hopefully the next one will be as dry!

 

Walk 285 - New Town Authors - March 2024

Twenty seven Strollers met up at the side of the Guildford Arms to hear about the authors who frequented this area of the New Town.

We met on what at one time was the site of the Ambrose Tavern where Christopher North (John Wilson) as well as James Hogg used to meet. We could also look at the Balmoral Hotel where JK Rowling finished her Harry Potter books. Moving on, we stopped to look at the Scott Monument and then into St Andrew Square one time home of David Hume. We then went on into Multrees Walk, named for the Mulberry trees that once grew there in an attempt to produce silk, and from there to Picardy Place named for the families who came over from France to weave the silk that had been produced.

Down into Albany Street with its many authors including Mary Brunton and Susan Ferrier, as well as Catherine Hogarth who married Charles Dickens then onto Heriot Row to look at the house where RL Stevenson was brought up. The family who now own it are great fans and even have a model of a lighthouse in the window in reference to the Stevenson family lighthouse designers and builders. Next we went up to George Street where the publisher Blackwood was based as well as bookshops such as Thins.

We finished up in Rose Street at Milnes Bar which once hosted Hugh MacDiarmid, Sorley MacLean, and Norman MacCaig. Not forgetting the Abbotsford, named after Sir Walter Scott’s home.

I’ve probably missed a lot of other names off like Ian Rankin etc. but my head can only cope with so much information!

Our thanks to our guides Karen and Helen.

Walk 284 - Historic Walk Morningside - February 2024

After all the rain and winds of the previous days it was nice to meet on a reasonably sunny day for a walk round Morningside. Twenty eight Strollers met at Holy Corner to be entertained by our guides Karen and Helen.

Named Holy Corner because of the churches at each street corner, we heard about the ‘disruption’ of the Church of Scotland in 1843 when 450 ministers left and formed the Free Church. The new moderator of this church, Thomas Chalmers, was appointed in Tanfield Hall long before SLAC moved there. We moved on to the small area of John Livingstone’s Tomb and from there to the old stop for the trams at the end of Strathearn Road, then took in St Bennet’s Church and the Archbishop’s house where Popes have stayed on their visits to Scotland.

Moving on to Morningside House, sometime home to author Susan Ferrier, we viewed the flats where the Woodcroft telephone exchange once stood. Passing Thomas Chalmer’s house, where he held services until a church was built, we visited the Churchill Theatre, previously a church, with its sculptures outside depicting the local areas and working life. From there we headed to Cuddy Lane, beside the old Schoolhouse, so called as that’s where the horses and ponies were tied up when dropping the children off at school. On the way we passed the site of Falcon House, now flats, where the impressive gate posts were taken away and are now at the entrance to the zoo.

Some people also reminisced about their time at the Plaza dance hall as we made our way to the ‘Wild West’, passing the site of the Spring Valley cinema which then became the Silver Slipper nightclub. The Wild West was built as an advertising feature for a nineties furniture store. The western facades include a trading station, saloon, jail and a cantina (which is actually the fire door for Morningside Library.)

We finished our walk in the car park of the Merlin where Smithy's and other small businesses used to be.

Our thanks to Karen and Helen for all the interesting facts, too many to put here.

Fingers crossed for similar weather for the next walk in March.

Walk 282 - Christmas Lunch - December 2023

Forty seven Strollers, some old some new, met for Christmas Lunch at the Royal Scots Club in Abercromby Place.

As usual it was a very social occasion allowing people to catch up with other Strollers, some not able to attend the walks, or just not seeing each other on the walks due to ‘gossiping’ with others. Our thanks go to the RSC for the lovely meal and the nice staff who kept the food and the drink flowing.

With the retiral of our Band of Strollers panto group, we finished off with a quiz in which amazingly one of the tables managed to score 20/20 on the section to fill in missing consonants in food. Good job for them as they were not so hot on the general knowledge section.

So that’s it for another year. Roll on 2024 where hopefully the weather will be a bit drier for the walks.

Walk 281 Musselburgh Lagoons (or not!) - November 2023

So much for a forecast of light rain for this walk. Five Strollers, eventually six, met up at the car park at Musselburgh harbour. Two others who were on the way sensibly turned round and went home.

Driving round the bypass to get to the walk was like driving through fog at times and then having to go slowly through the flooded road at Monktonhall Golf Course summed up the chances of the walk going ahead.

A group decision was made to go the cafe and have a roll and tea.

Hopefully when we reschedule the weather will be better. 

Walk 280 - Roslin to Straiton - October 2023

Thirteen Strollers, and a surprise visitor of Dave McK, met at Roslin to walk the old railway line to Straiton pond and the shopping centre. It was a nice sunny day though the wind was a tad cold at times and surprisingly given the last few days of rain most of the path was dry.

Starting off along the path it was noticeable again that what were once fields are now building sites. It makes you wonder how far we have to travel to do a walk amongst fields and open countryside when a short bus ride used to be all that was needed.

Walking in the area where Dolly the sheep was from, we stopped briefly at the monument to the Battle of Roslin, 1303. From here, we then made our way on to the Bilston Glen Viaduct which is 330 feet long and 140 feet above the river below. It was a long way down but did have lovely views unlike last time when we couldn’t see for the mist and rain. The railway line had been built to move mineral extraction from the Roslin and Loanhead areas to Edinburgh. It was then expanded to Glencorse and Penicuik and latterly a link to Bilston mine works. The Roslin end of the line closed in 1969 and it closed completely in 1989.

Following the path through and past Loanhead we ended the walk at Straiton pond nature reserve. It had previously been a clay pit providing clay for bricks. Even since last we visited the growth in vegetation and increase in wildlife has been dramatic.

A nice place to finish the walk or move onto the shops for those really keen.

Thanks to Drew for arranging a nice day for the walk.

Walk 279 - Water of Leith September 2023

 

Nine Strollers met at Ocean Terminal to walk up the Water of Leith walkway to Dean Village. I think everyone else had taken the BBC weather forecast to heart and stayed at home. As it turned out it was a lovely morning for a walk after the rain went off about 10.00. At least it gave some of us an excuse to use the tram to go from the centre of town to Ocean Terminal.

It was fun watching the wildlife scuttle across the path in front of us, I think they were part of the Grand Order of Water Rats. They just ignored us! We followed the path past the old St Ninian’s Church, passing the multitude of new flats being built and

we peered over the bridge at Newhaven Road to peak into Station House, which had featured on the ‘Scotland’s Home of the Year’ programme. 

We looked for the figures in the river created by Anthony Gormley for the National Museum as we made our way up to St Mark’s Park for a break. From here we worked our way past Warriston Crescent where Chopin briefly stayed and past an old familiar building, Tanfield.

Emerging at Stockbridge we saw that the Anthony Gormley figure here had been specially dressed for our arrival. Though I’m not sure a camisole and sarong were really appropriate. Then we went along Saunders Street to follow the path past St Bernard’s Well to Dean Village and the end of the walk where the lure of coffee and cakes pulled people up to the West End.

 Thanks to Drew for the walk and hoping the weather is as good next month.

Walk 278 - Haddington Circle - August 2023

On a dry but not quite sunny day seventeen Strollers met in Haddington for a circular walk following the banks of the River Tyne.

Meeting up at the aptly named Court Street, just along form the Sherriff Court, we set off down to Neilson Park by the road of the same name. It was named after a shopkeeper who left money for the public benefit. Going past the various schools we made our way down to the banks of the Tyne. Following the path here to St Mary’s church, we passed the lines of trees which had been planted to commemorate

various monarchs like Victoria and George V as well as the ones planted to remember the guilds.

Crossing the old Nungate Bridge with its hook used to hang people from, we made our way to Haddington Golf Course which sits in the grounds of what was Amisfield estate.

This was also a site of a prisoner of war camp at the end of WWII. Amisfield house no longer exists as it was demolished after its use by the army. The stables still remain though they are in a poor state. We then took time to visit the walled garden which is said to be the largest in the country and worth a visit if you are down that way.

From there we then crossed back over the Tyne by the 14th century bridge and followed the path back to Haddington. By then the sun had come out and it was a lovely day. 

Thanks to Drew for the weather and the walk.

Walk 277 Peebles - Haystoun Cademuir Circle - July 2023

Having dodged the rain on the way to Peebles a round dozen Strollers met for a walk from Kingsmeadows car park to Haystoun estate and Cademuir Forest. Memories of Kingsmeadows House and cottages, built in 1795 by Sir John Hay, are always recalled when we meet here.

As well as being a storage place for files the house and cottages were used as holiday lets for the staff of SL and a lot of attendees had fond recollections of times they spent there.

Going through Victoria Park we made our way up Glen Road to Gypsy Glen. This is the route the cattle drovers used on their way from Crieff and West Linton to the English markets. Here we turned into the grounds of Haystoun Estate and went towards Haystoun House which was the home of the Hay family who built Kingsmeadows.

From here we turned and went up the road to Cademuir forest, with a few complaints about the ‘slight’ slope that had been mentioned. We stopped for lunch here and admired the views over the rolling hills. Following the path, we exited the forest above Tantah House named after a village in Egypt by its original owner, James Inglis, to remember time he spent there.

Our exit from the forest was just in time to get a bit wet in a shower which quickly passed and we dried out as we walked down Edderstone Road to join the Tweed and follow the path back to the car park. 

Our thanks to Drew for the walk if not for the ‘slope’ and slight shower.

Outing to Perth Races 6 July 2023

Thirty one members met on a windy Regent Terrace for our third outing to Perth Races. We picked up another four in Inverkeithing. Dave, our driver, hadn’t been there before so didn’t come off at the ‘Ferrytoll junction which meant a slight detour into the car park and turning circle at the station as we entered from the Rosyth/Dalgety Bay junction.

Our coffee stop was at Dobbies in Dunfermline where we collected another member.  As the gates to Perth Racecourse didn’t open until 1230, we had a bit longer there. Your Chairman can definitely count but thought that the two latecomers were Ronnie and Isabel by mistake. Sorry!

Since our last visit, entry to the Racecourse has gone paperless as Joan and I discovered when we went to have the tickets printed. On the way back to the coach, we met up with our final two members. We filed in one by one and yours truly felt like the schoolmarm keeping an eye on our pupils.

The forecast rain arrived but it didn’t spoil our enjoyment of the five races which we saw. Hopefully most of us made a little money.

High tea was in the very popular Royal George Hotel in Perth, famous for its meringues. Unfortunately, coaches now have to park on North Inch so driver Dave wasn’t able to join us for tea. It’s a 20 minute walk in the rain.

We left in reasonable time so were back at Waterloo Place at 8pm. Dave was good enough to drop one of our number off in Pathhead.

 

Walk 276 - Swanston Circle 13 June 2023

Twelve Strollers met at Morrisons at Hunters Tryst for a walk up past Swanston golf course, to Green Craig water pump and then on to the Polo Fields and back through Dreghorn Woods to the start.

Similar to last time we did part of this walk, it was a scorching day. At least this time everyone got past Swanston golf club without deserting to stop and get drinks.

We followed the path between the golf course and the ‘old’ farmhouse where Robert Louis Stevenson once stayed. The area provided the inspiration for several of his books.

Passing horses and goats on the way we passed into the Pentlands Country Park, which is still used by the army for training exercises, and made our way to the Green Craig pumping station where we stopped for lunch. The area here and down to the path under the bypass has been planted with trees to commemorate the lives lost in the First World War and a grove has been dedicated to soldiers from Leith who lost their lives in the Quintinshill Rail Disaster.

Passing the houses on what was the site of the Polo Fields we entered the ‘old’ Dreghorn/Redford woods where there was once a castle and house before the army and air force blew it up in the 1950s. We then hugged the fence of the barracks, startling the guard at the gate, and made our way back to the start of the walk. For some a stop off for a shandy, for others a cake and coffee.

Our thanks to Drew for the walk, though some suggested his puff factor ratings left a bit to be desired.

The July walk will be to Peebles and not as hilly!

Outing to Abbotsford and Melrose 5 June 2023

The haar was over Edinburgh so we were glad to escape and head for the sunny Borders.

By the time we got out of the city all 28 of us were ready for our coffee stop at Dobbies. Isla, our lady driver, then took us straight to Abbotsford for 12 o’clock.

The ticket desk lady introduced us to Andy who led us outside and gave a short, informative talk about why Sir Walter Scott chose to build his house there. He continued to give us more information when we were in the courtyard and closer to the building. His knowledge and presentation is amazing.

We had opted to look round the house unguided so Sue and her colleague handed out returnable brochures. They are very knowledgeable too. There are so many exhibits but it’s easy to work your way around those rooms. I’m sure I missed a lot so going back is on the cards for me.

The sun was hot so it was a treat to rest in the garden. The roses have still to come to their best so I sat in front of the pavilion enjoying the purple iris and alliums. And the view, of course.
Isla dropped us in Melrose where the ice cream shop did good business and we had time to wander down the town.

Another short drive brought us to the Kingsknowe Hotel in Galashiels. We were shown into the conservatory for our high tea. All good comments there about the meal and the service.
So, another good outing. 

Here’s hoping the weather is favourable for our outside jolifications next month.

Thanks to Liz Staples for organising the visit and for her report.

Walk 275 - Cramond to Barnton - 18 May 2023

Fourteen Strollers met for a walk from Silverknowes Golf Club finishing at Barnton. Thankfully the weather was just perfect for a stroll.

Making our way down the esplanade we passed all the volunteers out doing litter picking, well done to them. There was also a group on the water trying small surfboarding. No one from the group seemed too keen to join in. The water temperature seemed a bit on the low side.

We passed the statue of the Cramond Fish and made our way to the River Almond and passed the site where the Roman statue of a lion was found. We then proceeded up the Almond looking at the old docking bays that had been built for the boats that took the stone from Craigie Quarry to Leith and then into Edinburgh. You could still see the holes in the cliff where they had built a railway from the quarry to the dock area to transport the rock.

We passed the sites of the various mills that at one time provided the work in the area making corn, paper, spades and nails.

Once we had navigated the 80 steps up and down, we stopped for lunch at the ‘old’ Cramond Brig. From here we then followed the path up to the Grotto Bridge which provided a nice view of the water rushing below. Crossing this, we made our way to Cammo estate and had a walk round the grounds there. There is only part of what was once a large stately home remaining now but the grounds are worth a walk.

From here we made our way back down to Barnton to navigate the busy road back to the bus stops and home. 

Thanks to Drew for organising the walk and nice weather.

He promises to try and make the next walk a bit shorter and flatter (no steps).

Outing to the Burrell Collection - 10 May 2023

Our first of four outings this year was to the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. A good day of culture for 38 pensioners. 

After a coffee stop at Dobbies Livingston our driver, Brian, got us to the Burrell at midday. Entrance is free so after getting maps of the three floors we spread out to explore. 

Our last visit was in 2007.  It was closed for a while and has been updated with superb new technology, including touch screens giving more in depth information. I ‘played’ with the fascinating one in the carpet gallery and got anyone near me involved too! Some of our group went to the optional talks. All the collection there is displayed to show the exhibits at their best. I heard good comments about the restaurant and tearoom. 

We had our half hour journey in sunshine to the Eglinton Arms Hotel in Eaglesham for high tea. The food and service were excellent and there was approval all round of individual plates with scones, jam and cream for ‘afters’ rather than cakes on stands. 

Our journey home was sunny too but we could see a huge dark cloud as we approached Edinburgh. The newly washed city welcomed us back with an enormous rainbow 

Walk 274 - Dalkeith - 18 April 2023

On a day that was supposed to be bright and sunny a select band of nine Strollers met at Dalkeith to do a circular walk along the old railway line towards Whitecraig and then back via the Dalkeith Country Park.

Setting off down past the  Old Mill House and Waterfall Park, we made our way up and past the Dalkeith Community Centre and its various schools. Passing the Sheep trail of fibreglass sheep commissioned by Aldi, whose store sits on the site of the old Laidlaw and Fairgrieve woollen mill. They were designed by a local artist and created by a local company for everyone to enjoy as they pass by.

Walking on down the track and under the A68 we stopped for lunch at the bridge over the path before heading down to Salters Road and the entrance to Dalkeith Country Park. By now the sun had come out and it was a lovely afternoon.

We passed near Smeaton House, now holiday lets, which was once home to Robert Richardson treasurer of Scotland in the 1570s.

Breathing the fresh country air we followed the road over the A68 passing fields with lots of horses and cows and made our way to Restoration Yard. We stopped to take time to think about all the reasons why we wouldn’t take the opportunity to try out the wire slides and walks of the Go Ape facility, though Andy C was all for it. After a brief stop at the yard we finished off passing Dalkeith House and made our way back to the start of the walk. 

Thanks to Drew for arranging the walk and hopefully the good weather will continue for the next walk.

Walk 273 - Mortonhall - 15 March

 Spotting a fine gap in the weather twenty-five Strollers met at the Stable Bar at Mortonhall to walk round parts of the Mortonhall estate.

The estate used to cover the site from Braid Road to Kaimes and over to Old Pentland. The main house is now flats and the Buckstone estate as well as a caravan park. The Braids and Mortonhall golf courses now also occupy a lot of the space. We walked up the path to Mounthooly passing the old walled garden. From there we went down Mounthooly to cross Frogston Road and to look at the old dower house of Morton and the Belvedere in its grounds. This was used as a view point and for picnics.  

We then followed the old roads round the edge of the estate following the Burdiehouse Burn, and parallel to the  bypass looking over to Old Pentland. Unfortunately the path at this point had started to thaw out so it was a case of avoiding the puddles and trying not to slip. Unfortunately one of the group failed to master the technique and went for a slide. Luckily only their pride was hurt.

We continued on to Broomhills Road now flanked by all the new housing built between it and Burdihouse Road. There are also plans in place to build houses on the fields where we were passing so this was probably the last opportunity to see the land in it’s current form.

We then crossed over Frogston Road making our way back to the Mortonhall Garden centre and the end of the walk.  

 

Our thanks to Drew for the walk and the good overhead weather.

 

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Dates for your diary

2023 Outings:-

10 May - Burrell Collection

5 June - Abbotsford House and Melrose

6 July - Perth Races

8 August - Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway

The Panto - 14 December

2024 AGM - 9 February 2024.

Walk 271 - Historic Stockbridge 17 January 2023

On what turned out to be nice crisp winter’s day, with a fresh wind to encourage us all to keep moving, 31 Strollers met in Stockbridge at Saunders Street for a guided walk with our Blue Badge Guides Karen and Helen. The things you learn on these walks are very interesting even for those that came from that area.

We started off by peering down into the Water of Leith to look at one of the Antony Gormley statues. There are 6 in total from the Dean Village down to Leith. From here we crossed back to Dean Bank Lane to pass the site of the first fire station in Edinburgh in Hamilton Place, it is now the toilets. The fire station then moved from there to Saunders Street. The building next door, probably better known as Lancers Restaurant, was the police station. The Dean Bank Institute was set up in 1832 to help delinquent girls after their release from prison. It changed its approach after a sister centre was set up at the Boroughmuir in 1848 and moved to trying to help the girls before they got into trouble. It was taken over by Edinburgh Council in 1913 and is now part of the school next door. The building opposite the toilets was at one time a museum and you can still see some of the lettering on the wall between the windows.

We then passed through the arch to where a meat and fish market used to be. The sign for it is on the arch in St Stephens Place. From here we went round into Circus Lane which housed the quarters for the staff and horses or cars for the bigger houses in Royal Circus. Times have changed as these houses now sell for upwards of £1 million.

We stopped to look at St Stephens Church, designed and built by the architect Playfair to hide Edinburgh Academy from the view of the citizens! His backers were Royal High supporters. The tower is 160 feet high and houses the longest clock pendulum in Europe. From here we wandered into Royal Circus to pass the home of Sir Henry Littlejohn, first medical officer of Edinburgh from 1862. Working our way back to India Place we passed Stuarts Land, a house built in the late 1700s which used old stone from houses in the High Street. It was home to artist David Roberts. Going along India Place, we passed the allotments left as part of the demolition of the tenements that used to be there. The doors to the coal houses and outside toilets are still in place in the retaining walls. Moving onto the famous (or infamous) Danube Street, where at one time Dora Noyce ran a brothel. It would now cost you £1.5 million for the house.

We then finished up in the streets designed by the artist Sir Henry Raeburn and where his house once stood, St Bernard’s Crescent. It was designed in such a way to preserve the elm trees that grew there.

Our many thanks to Karen and Helen for the information overload (I’ve missed quite a bit of the information they passed on) and not taking too long on a cold day.

Hopefully February will be warmer for our walk round Morningside.

2023 Coffee Mornings

 Here are the dates for your diaries: -

1 February - 1 George Street

1 March - Bread Street Hotel (venue for the remaining coffee mornings)

5 April

3 May

7 June

5 July

2 August

6 September

4 October

8 November

6 December

Walk 270 - Christmas Lunch 8 December 2022

 

Fifty four Strollers met at the Royal Scots Club in Abercromby Place to enjoy a chat and Christmas Lunch.

It was a bit confusing to some attendees as there was also another group of ex-SL people there for lunch at the same time. It sorted itself out as the Strollers headed down into the depths of the building and the Hepburn Suite while the others made their way up to the dining room. 

The room as usual was well decorated and the seating plan was on the entrance to the room as well as on the tables. A good idea for people who keep wandering around looking having forgotten where to go. It’s also a good job the organiser takes a copy of the food orders so that people can find out what they ordered. Everything with the meal appeared to go okay and the food and the service was good.

After the meal the attendees then sang Happy Birthday to Ronnie who had turned 80 the day before.

There was then time for a quiz and it was pure coincidence that the organiser’s table won!

All too soon it was time to go home and book for next year. 

Have a Good Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you on walks in 2023.