Thursday 21 April 2016

Outing to Stirling Castle - Friday 13th May 2016

The first outing of 2016 took place on Friday 13 May, when we had full day trip to Stirling Castle. After a coffee stop at Dobbies, Livingston, we headed for Stirling Castle. Many found this attraction significantly extended and improved since a previous visit and wanted more time to browse the various displays and museums there. Others wanted more time to spend wandering the Callander shops before moving on to Bridge of Allan for high tea at the Royal Hotel. We can't please all of the people all of the time but we do try our best!.
Many thanks to Ronnie for arranging this trip (and for use of his credit card to avoid an embarrasing refusal of entry to the Castle). Also thanks to Barbara for her "induction by fire" to the finacial organisation of such trips. 

Monday 18 April 2016

Summer Outings - Dates and Venues

We are close to finalising the coach and venue bookings for the Summer Outings. Here is what we are planning, so you can get the dates into your diaries.
  • Friday 13th May - Visit to Stirling Castle, then hopefully some free time in Callander
  • Wednesday 8th June - Visit to Legends of Grandtully / Scottish Chocolate Centre,
    then some free time in Aberfeldy or Pitlochry
  • Thursday 14th July - Visit to Greenlaw Organ Preservation Society,
    then on to Manderston House
  • Tuesday 23rd August - Visit to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) including Lindisfarne Castle
  • Monday 12th September - Cruise on Loch Lomond from Balloch,
    with free time at Loch Lomond Shores Visitor Centre
Each outing will be an all-day coach trip, with High Tea somewhere on the journey back.
Full details of the each outing, including costs, timings and booking form will be issued via email to members. The details of the first outing on 13th May should be available tomorrow, with replies needed by Monday 2nd May. Apologies for short notice of the first date.

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Strollers Walk No. 204 - Thursday 21st April 2016, Kinross and Loch Leven

Walk No. 204:     Kinross and Loch Leven
Date:                  Thursday 21st April 2016
Distance:            6.6 miles approximately
Start at:     Boathouse Bistro, Sandport Close, Kinross
On a beautiful sunny morning 29 Strollers met at the Boathouse car park for this walk, with some taking refreshment the Boathouse Bistro to fortify them for the miles ahead. We set off along the excellent loch-side path through the reed-beds, emerging at Kirkgate Park. Continuing northwards along the loch-side, we watched swans taking off and then passed Kinross House, admiring the daffodils around the hedge and walls and getting a view of the house thorough the gate. The path returned to the water's edge at Burleigh Sands, where a few walkers settled in the sunshine on a wooden bench to eat their picnic lunch while others walked into the shade where there was a circle of stone seats and some information boards.

Resuming our walk after this break, we crossed the minor road and headed up a path to reach the disused railway track. This was on a raised embankment giving a good view of Burleigh Castle and the passing through some fields where we watch tractors preparing the ground for potato planting. Now heading west along the railway path, we reached the main road and turned left to head back down towards Kinross. We paused at the new Community High School Campus to thank John for organising this picturesque and interesting walk, debating whether John or Drew should be congratulated for the excellent weather. As we walked back through Kinross, members gradually disappeared into various establishments for some lunch as the remainder returned down Sandport to the Boathouse Car Park.