Monday 5 September 2016

Strollers Walk No. 209 - Monday 19th September 2016, Union Canal, Colinton, Campbell Park

Walk No. 209:   Union Canal, Colinton, Campbell Park
Date:                Monday 19th September 2016
Start Time:       11:00
Duration:          2.5 hours approximately
Distance:          6 miles approximately
Meet at:           Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggetland, Edinburgh
Sixteen strollers met at Meggetland for a walk out to Blinkbonny near Currie via the Union Canal, Balerno railway line, Campbell Park and back by the Water of Leith Walkway. It turned out to be another excellent dry and hot day for a stroll. Walking out along the canal and admiring a bungalow which had been renovated and extended with a hot tub, which was in use on the way back but on the wrong side of the canal for us to join in. Crossing the canal aqueduct over the Water of Leith, avoiding cyclists and trying not to look down. It’s such a long way down even with a fence between you and the drop, it’s only 75 feet in old money but it looks a long way. From there over the Lanark Road and on to the Balerno Branch railway line which ceased running in 1967 and is now part of a National Cycle Route. Following this to Colinton Village through the curved Hailes railway tunnel, which is well lit and well surfaced, we passed Spylaw Park where the house is that used to belong to James Gillespie, founder of the school that bears his name. The house is now flats. Continuing on from there past the site of the old Scotts Porridge Oats factory, then up to Campbell Park for a lunch break. The gentle peace and quiet of the afternoon was suddenly shattered by the sports pavilion alarm going off, so it was time to beat a retreat and continue on our walk before questions were asked as to why it went off. Going along Woodhall Road and passing the new and very posh looking equestrian centre and then Woodhall House - a 17th century mansion remodelled in the 19th century, which at one time used to be a Jesuit retreat but is now flats and a family home. Making our way through the trees to Blinkbonny Road and down to the Water of Leith walkway to start our journey back, watching the buzzards circling and wondering whether we would all make it safely back to the start.
Thanks yet again to drew (and Eleanor) for organising this walk. Hope to see you all on the next walk.