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.
