Pensioners' Association - Annual General Meeting - Wednesday 15th January 2014

The Annual General Meeting of the Pensioners' Association took place on the evening of Wednesday 15th January 2014 at the Heriot's Rugby Club, Goldenacre, Edinburgh.

The chairman presented a summary of his Annual Report, which had previously been circulated to all members. He also summarised he key points from the Treasurer's report on the Accounts, which were available for inspection that evening. The existing committee were all re-elected unopposed.

The evening was then a social gathering, with an excellent supper of haggis neeps and tatties. 

Many thanks to all who attended the meeting. Alistair Buchanan
Chairman

Strollers Walk No. 175, Wednesday 20 November 2013, Musselburgh Circular Walk

Date:            Wednesday 20th November 2013
Distance:     5 miles approx.
 

Twenty six Strollers braved the wintry weather for the walk at Musselburgh. Conditions were slightly breezy but not too bad and we avoided the rain.

We set off from Musselburgh’s Fisherrow Harbour, after some had stocked up with bacon rolls and cups of coffee to fortify them selves for the walk. We made our way along the Promenade and crossed the River Esk to join the John Muir Way. Strangely there wasn't much bird life to be seen, apart from the ever present sea-gulls and a few oyster-catchers, but not much else. We must have frightened them away, or was it the weather.

We made our way along the foreshore to Levenhall then turned inland and doubled back to the bird hides to look for birds on the ash-ponds. They had all gone as well, only some oyster-catchers again! Luckily we saw some swans on the bigger pond after leaving the bird hides. Moving on, we joined the Musselburgh racetrack, where some Strollers got confused and went off the rails in the other direction. The rest of us continued along past the racetrack and golf course, passing the 'old' golf clubhouse and the grand-stands for the race track.

Making our way back to the River Esk, we passed the many buildings of Lorretto School, where we parted ways with some more Strollers, as the lure of the High Street shops and cafes was too strong for them. While crossing back over the river we managed to find a lot of Canadian and Greyback Geese, so the walk had been worth it after all. Passing more Lorretto School buildings (how much of Musselburgh do they own?), we made our way back to Fisherrow Harbour and into a breeze which had now turned into a gale. It was time for more coffee and rolls.

The first walk of 2014 will be on Tuesday 21st January, but looking forward to seeing some of you before then at the lunch in December.

Note: the Strollers Group takes no responsibility for any loss or injury incurred during their activities. All walkers are responsible for their own safety and are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure their own and fellow walkers' safety whilst on the walk.

Strollers Walk No. 174, Tuesday 22 October 2013, Roseburn to Leith

There were thirty three Strollers on this walk led by Ian K… along the former track of the Caledonian Railway Branch Line from Roseburn to Leith. It turned out to be a slightly damp day, however as the path was tarmac with only a few puddles to navigate, only people with leaky shoes found it a problem. 

The route was interesting and as we strolled along people tried to work out where we were, thanks to the different perspective this route gave on well known places.

·         Crossing over the Water of Leith to look down on the other walkway which would almost lead to the same destination

·         Skirting the Craigleith shopping centre, originally a quarry

·         On to Crew Toll passing what everyone knew as Ferranti and then the Parsons Peebles site which is now flats

·         Discovering the Spartans football ground, Morrisons Supermarket and Ferryfield Care Home

·         Past Granton Road, Trinity school and crossing the other paths which lead to Granton Harbour, Newhaven or back up to Powderhall and Scotland Street.

At least it wasn't easy to lose anyone on this path and Ian stopped now and again to let people know where we were, divulge the odd interesting fact and tell us where you could go for a bus if you wanted to cut the walk short. It was nice to walk all the way to Ocean Terminal for a view of the Britannia and some lunch. 

Our thanks to Ian for leading us on this walk, even in the rain. 

Details of the November walk will be sent out at the start of the month.

Strollers Walk No. 173, Monday 23 September 2013, Peebles to Innerleithen

A jaunt to Peebles for a stroll along the 'old' railway line to Innerleithen.
Twenty Strollers started off on this walk but we picked up a straggler on the way and finished up with twenty one, enjoying a nice warm day. We made our way from the Peebles car park along the Tweed to Janet’s Brae, where we joined the 'old' railway line. As we strolled along the path we passed the site of a Roman Camp at Esheils and then the ruins of Horsburgh Castle. There was a rapid ducking of heads as we passed Cardrona Golf Course when a shout of 'fore' was followed closely by a ball landing beside us on th path.

Then it was time for lunch at Cardrona, where ”china service” was enjoyed by some at the café on the old station platform. After than, we continued on to Innerleithen via Cardrona Village and across the new footbridge over the Tweed at the end of the golf course. We had time to admire the river views and then the ponies before heading for Caldwell's ice cream parlour in Innerleithen at the end of our walk. Finally it was time to catch the bus back to Peebles or on to Edinburgh.

Thanks once again to Drew and Eleanor for leading us on this walk.
The next walk (on 22^nd October) is from Roseburn to Leith. Hope to see you then.

Outing on Thursday 12th September 2013 to Badenoch & Strathspey Steam Railway

The fifth and final outing of 2013 took place on Thursday 12th September, when we had a full day trip to the Badenoch & Strathspey Steam Railway in Aviemore. A full coach of 55 enjoyed a good day out. Coffee stop was at the House of Bruar before we headed to Aviemore to join the steam train for the journey to Broomhill via Boat of Garten and back. Most of us enjoyed some tea / coffee and shortbread served at our seats on the train.

The happy smiling faces that left the train at Aviemore to rejoin the coach told the whole story of the success of this trip. We then enjoyed a good meal at the Westlands Hotel in Pitlochry before our return journey to Edinburgh. Many thanks to all involved in organising a great day out.

Strollers Walk No. 172, Thursday 22 August 2103, Hardens Hill to Duns via Duns Castle

Date:             Thursday 22 August 2013
Start Time:    11:00 a.m.
Distance:       3.5 miles approx.
Duration:       2 hours approx.
Meet at:        The Market Square, Duns, Berwickshire
Please also note that this is not a circular walk.


It was like a re-make of the 'Dirty Dozen' with twelve intrepid Strollers escaping the gloom and murk of the Lothians to make their way to sunny Duns in Berwickshire. Well, almost sunny, but certainly brighter and warmer than Edinburgh. They met up at the Market Square in Duns, to fortify themselves with bacon rolls or cakes depending on preference. Then it was off by car to Hardens Hill, an odd way to start a walk, but it saved walking up the hill past the Golf Course to the start of the walk. Thanks to our chauffeurs who, like the Grand Old Duke of York, went up the Hill and down again, and then up again, and back down again.

The walk started with a short incline to where we could admire the views and see where Robert Burns once sat. The rest of the walk was downhill all the way. With a good track to walk on and with only the bees and birds for company, it didn't seem long till we reached the bottom and worked our way past 'Hen Poo' lake and the road to Duns Castle. It was then back down to Duns and the obligatory search for a hostelry for lunch.

Our thanks to Moira for arranging the walk but it’s strange how she could still find us muddy bits to go through on a tarmacadam’d road.

Hope to see more Strollers turning out for the next walk, which should be to the Peebles / Innerleithen area and is provisionally scheduled for 23rd September.

Outing on Monday 19th August to Paxton House

71 people attended the outing to Paxton House on 19th August.  They enjoyed lovely big scones with their morning tea/coffe at the Carfrae Mill Hotel en route to Berwick.  Paxton house was very good - we had two guides and the group was split over four tour times: 12.45, 1 pm then 2.15 & 2.30. The weather was good and we did have some sun.  High tea at Kelso was good too and left enough time for some people to manage to do a little bit of shopping in the town.

Remember: Postal information is only mailed to those members who specifically requested details by returning the little form at the end of the notification of the Ayr outing back in April. If you did not do this and do not have an email address, please get in touch with any of our committee and ask them to send me an email at sl.pensioners.association@gmail.com with your name and postal code, thanks.

Strollers Walk No. 171, Wednesday 24th July, Falkland

Outing Number 171:     Falkland - Pillars of Hercules
Date:                           Wednesday 24th July 2013

Distance:                     5 miles circular walk (well, more of a long rectangle actually)
Duration:                      3 hours approx.
Meet at:                       Pillars of Hercules Cafe (on A912 past Falkland, going north-west)
Twenty strollers came along to Falkland to take up the challenge of Hercules and move the Pillars. Given the weather the night before - thunder, lightning and heavy rain - and then passing the motorway signs on Wednesday morning warning of more heavy rain, it was a big surprise to get hot sunny weather for the whole walk.
Setting out from the Pillars of Hercules café along the very straight road and cycle path to Strathmiglo, we met with a horse and carriage out practising for an event. The things you see on a Strollers walk. All too soon it was time to stop for lunch; was Rory really setting that fast a pace or was Moira just so happy she was skipping along the road. Alistair took up residence in the willow hut to denote his position in the group while the rest of us sat round a picnic table or on the ground.
After lunch it was time to climb the hill up to the higher forest trail and work back towards the cafe, with time to stop on the crags and admire the views, without going too close to the edge for those that suffer from vertigo. Meeting up with a serious walking group with full backpacks, tents water panniers and big kettles made our small backpacks and empty lunch boxes seem rather inadequate. All too soon, but bang on the predicted time, we were back at the cafe with time for a cake or more before heading for home.
Many thanks to Drew and Eleanor for getting us out into unfamiliar countryside for this interesting walk. Here’s hoping the weather stays like this for the remaining walks.

Outing on Friday 26th July to the Border Union Show in Kelso

Over 60 members enjoyed a glorious sunny day at the Borders Union Annual Show in Springwood Park, Kelso on Friday 26th July. Highlights included horse show-jumping, sheep shearing, agricultural equipment, craft and food halls. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, apparently was there that day too, in her role as Patron of the Show, but I don't think any of us actually managed to spot her, although some noticed the additional security at one point.

Hight tea at the Kingsknowe Hotel in Galashiels was enjoyed by all and our two coach drivers dropped off many happy pensioners on the routes back into Edinburgh.

Thanks to all for their roles in organising this good day out.

Strollers Walk No. 170, Tuesday 25th June 2013

Outing No. 170:       Flotterstone to Loganlea (Pentland Hill Regional Park)
Date:                      Tuesday 25th June 2013
Start time:               11.00
Distance                  6.5 miles (or 8 miles if extended from Loganlea to The Howe)
Duration:                 4 hours
Start at:                  The Flotterstone Inn
Finish at:                 Flotterstone Visitor Centre

On what turned out to be very pleasant day for a walk, twenty one Strollers met at Flotterstone to walk to Loganlea Reservoir. Some felt the need to load up on carbohydrates before starting out and partook of coffee and scones in the Flotterstone Inn.
Meeting in the car park it was then the turn of the midgies to have a feast. Setting off at brisk pace to escape them we made our way up the path and then followed the road past Glencorse reservoir. Between the reservoirs we had to navigate past the herd of cows that had come out of their field to have a look at us as we passed by.
At 'The Howe' some stopped for lunch, while others walked on a little further to look at the waterfall and some decided a sit down lunch back at the Flotterstone Inn seemed a more comfortable attraction. Time to return with some taking a slight detour on the way back climbing a short distance up Castlelaw Hill to get a view down the Reservoir and walk back skirting the edge of the firing range.
Our thanks to Alasdair and Jill Niven for arranging the walk, scones and a nice day.

Outing on Wednesday 19th June to Trossachs and Loch Katrine

The second outing of 2013 took place on Wednesday 19th June, when more than 70 of us enjoyed  a full day trip to the Trossachs and a sail on Loch Katrine on the Sir Walter Scott. The weather for the trip was very good, making the visibility of the hills and loch superb. We just caught our 1pm boat trip at the last minute, after a delay on the shores of Loch Venachar while too many coaches squeezed past each other on too narrow a road. Great credit is due to our two coach drivers for getting us past unscathed. After the cruise we had some time ashore at Loch Katrine, before moving to Callander in time to visit the shops. Then high tea at the Dreadnought Hotel was enjoyed by all before the coaches returned to Edinburgh.

Many thanks to Carole and the others who were involved in organising this enjoyable day out.

Strollers Walk No. 169, Monday 20th May 2013

Walk No. 169 :     Almondell and Lin's Mill Loop
Date:                   Monday 20th may 2013
Distance:            4.75 miles approx.
Start Time:          11:00 am
Duration:             2.5 hours
Twent-six strollers ventured out to Almondell Country Park on what turned out to be a hot and sultry day. Gipsy Rose Lee would have been proud of the striptease acts as we went round the park.

After leaving the south car park we stopped off at the visitor centre for a comfort break and to view the Kirkhill Astronomical Pillar which shows observations made by Lord Cardross in the 18th century. A fortuitous stop, as the guide at the shop came out to advise us that the footbridge over the River Almond was being worked on, so we had to retrace our steps almost to the car park and take a different route to join our intended path.

Working our way along the path, over stiles, down steps, up steps we made our way to Lins Mill Aqueduct which is part of the Union canal, to stop for some lunch. We were delighted to be joined by three canal barges of the Seagull Trust, one of which was crewed by former work colleagues Dave Hoskins and Maureen Purdie. Some of us used this to advantage and rather than go down the steps and back up the other side of the canal we hopped on the barge and off the other side.

Continuing our loop back round via the Drumshoreland Moss where William Wallace is reputed to have hunted, we made our way back to the visitor centre where a great trade was done in ice-cream and ice-lollies!  A first for this year. Gail's Coffee Shop in nearby Veitch's Garden Centre also did a reasonable trade for tea and scones before the walk and some more refreshments afterwards.

Thanks to John Sharp for leading the walk and arranging a lovely day for it

Outing on Tuesday 7th May 2013 to David Livingstone Centre

46 happy pensioners enjoyed a glorious day out on Tuesday 7th May. The venues had to be hastily arranged after the original planned outing to Ayr Racecourse was cancelled when the scheduled race meeting was a abandoned.  Instead we had an interesting visit to the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre, then a visit to the Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre on Eaglesham moor before having High Tea at the Fenwick Hotel near Kilmarnock. The weather sunny and hot (for a change) with very little wind, but the turbines at Whitelee were still turning.

Next outing is on Wednesday 19th June to The Trossachs and Loch Katrine, with a sail on the Sir Walter Scott. Details will be sent out soon. Let's hope for great weather then too.

Strollers Walk No. 168, Thursday 25th April 2013

Walk No. 168:      Coastal Walk from Gullane to Dirleton
Date:                   Thursday 25 April 2013
Distance:             5.5 miles
Duration:              3.5 hours
Start Time:          11:00
Start Location:     Outside Gullane Golf Shop, just as you approach the town from the west.
Finish at:             Dirleton Castle
Organised by:      Ronnie McAdam

Twenty Strollers came along to Gullane for a good day’s walk to Dirleton. As we stood outside the golf professional’s shop in Gullane putting on gloves and scarves, who would have thought that an hour later we would be sitting by the beach having lunch in the sunshine. But it was true and the end of the walk was completed in a mini heat wave, with people taking off jackets and waterproofs. A first for this year!

Ronnie led us on a walk down through the dunes at Gullane, then back through the dunes as he missed the turn-off. Too busy talking, he said. We then made our way past Muirfield, where the stands were already being erected for the Open Golf in July, and along the beach to our stop for lunch.

From there we walked along the beach admiring the many different coloured stones and patterns in them, which we had to stop Liz from carting off back home as souvenirs. With glorious views of Fidra and then the Bass Rock and Berwick Law, we made our way past the Renaissance and Archerfield Golf courses and climbed up to Yellowcraigs. It was then on to Dirleton village and, with Ronnie's precise planning, just in time to catch the bus back to Gullane or Edinburgh, although some stayed to visit Dirleton Castle before getting a later bus.

Thanks to Ronnie for leading the walk and arranging a lovely day for it.

Strollers Walk No. 167, Wednesday 20th March 2013

Walk No. 167:    Mortonhall Estate and Braid Hills - Circular Walk
Date :              Wednesday 20th March 2013
Distance:        4 miles approx.
Duration:         2.5 hours approx.
Drew says:     "This is a circular walk that is all about the views".

Fortified by coffee and scones twenty-two hardy souls braved the snow to do the walk round Mortonhall and the Braids. The main party started from the Braids Driving Range (after coffee and scones for some) and the rest from Mortonhall Garden Centre, where Alex also finished so he could do some pet shopping.

Whilst the paths were a trifle muddy in places (memories of Stow) the weather turned out better than forecast and once the snow stopped we could see Berwick Law and the Bass Rock. It was also fun wading through the snow to finish at the view point on the Braids, I’m sure someone made a comment like that. The views from there proved worth the walk.

Let’s hope the April walk finds us out walking in some hot sunshine as opposed to minus temperatures.

Strollers Walk No. 166, Thursday 21 February, Historic City Walk

Walk no. 166:     Historic City Walk - Saints, Sinners and Steeples of the Old Town
Date:                 Thursday 21 February 2013

Starting out from the warmth of the National Museum in Chambers Street 56 Strollers set out on a 'Saints and Sinners' tour led by Karen and Helen, our Blue Badge guides. Starting off at Greyfriars Kirk, down George IV Bridge, round Victoria Street, on to the High Street, down past St Giles and the Tron Kirk, and for the hardier people 'Old' St Pauls and the Trinity Apse down Carrubbers Close. Who knew there could be so many churches in such a short space from Greyfriars to the High Street.

In Greyfriars, as well as the tale of Bobby, the Covenanters, we learnt about Walter Geikie and the First Deaf Church, where JK Rowling got inspiration for John Riddle, heard about 'Bluidy Mckenzie' and his ghost, William McGonnagle’s last poem and discovered why an American flag flies in Greyfriars Kirk. We also discovered that Karen’s sister is coming over to perform a concert in Greyfriars Kirk in June along with about 180 other singers.

We then made our way down George IV Bridge with the Augustine United Church on one side and the Martyrs Free Church, now Frankensteins, on the other. At the Library it was time to peer over the bridge into the Grassmarket at the Magdalene Chapel now part of Edinburgh University.

Moving into Victoria Street there was St John’s Established Church, Kushtis as was, the Primitive Methodist Church (Ebenezer Chapel)  and the Quaker Meeting house set up by Major Thomas Weir, 'Angelic Thomas', who lived and held Sunday services at the top of West Bow.

Moving round from that draughty street to the top of the Lawnmarket where we heard about the St John’s Highland Tolbooth Church (The Hub), St Columba’s Free Kirk (formally Free St Johns), Church of Scotland Assembly Hall which was originally meant to be in the Hub and St Columba’s by the Castle (Episcopal). It was time to go down to Tweeddale Court, just off the High Street behind Gladstone Land, and hear about the Free Church College as well as the manufacture of Sedan chairs.

Moving to St Giles, with smaller groups as some had decided that the call of a plate of warm soup out-weighed 'food' for the brain, we learnt about the Tollbooth and Luckenbooths which used to be adjacent to St Giles. This made the High Street very narrow at this point. We discovered about the 1824 fire and the rebuilding of Parliament Square and about James Braidwood, whose statue is at the east end of St Giles, who founded the Edinburgh Fire Brigade in 1824 and then the London Fire Brigade in 1833..

Helen’s group then made their way down to 'Old' St Paul’s, is there a 'young' St Pauls?,  and discovered how the Mitre Bar got its name (from Bishop Spottiswoode's hat). Finishing up at Carrubers Close to view Trinity Apse which used to be of a church which stood on the site of Waverley Station. It was taken down, the stones numbered and stored on Calton Hill to be rebuilt.  Not a very good plan as most of the stones went 'missing' and only enough was left to rebuild the Apse, which is now the 'brass rubbing' centre. Time for cakes or hot soup in Carrubers Christian Centre.

Karens group meanwhile had stopped at the Tron and decided to go for Lunch. No staying power!

Hopefully next time we'll try and pick a warmer day. Our Thanks to Karen and Helen for leading us and to Drew for his organisation.

Strollers Walk No. 165, Tuesday 22 January 2013, Historic City Walk, George Square to Princes Street

Date:               Tuesday 22nd January 2013
Started at:         Edinburgh University Library, George Square
Finish at:          Playfair Steps at Princes Street
Led by:            Karen MacCormick and Helen Houston (Blue Badge Guides)


On what started as a very snowy morning but actually stayed dry but cold, 37 Strollers braved the elements to meet up with our 2 Blue Badge guides for a Historical tour of the “old” New Town. That is the area south of the High Street beginning at George Square (now the centre for Edinburgh University). George Square was not named after royalty but actually after the brother of the landowner! We found out the names of some famous former occupants, Sir Walter Scott and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for example, and also other notaries who attended Edinburgh University, like Eric Liddell and John Sharp.

We saw Chapel Street, which should probably be renamed now for the new Mosque, and Bristo Square with the McEwan Hall and music centre. There were a lot of breweries around in those days, obviously a profitable business. Moving past the medical school down to Chambers Street, we passed the old drill hall for the Scots Guards Rifles and then the Bedlam Theatre. We took refuge in the museum to gather some heat while we were told that Chambers Street and George IV Bridge used to be a series of 5 squares of the “old” New Town, including Argyle Square built with the proceeds of money earned by the Duke of Argyle’s tailor on the death of King George. He had early notice of the death and bought up all the black cloth which he resold at inflated prices!

We then made our way past the site of the last public hanging in Edinburgh in 1864 at the corner of the High Street, and went down the Playfair Steps to end our walk at Princes Street (in the "new" New Town).

You can add the provisional dates for all the 2013 Strollers Waks to your diary now by following this link to open a document with all the dates.