Walk No. 222 Roslin to Straiton
Date: Wednesday 18th October 2017
Distance: 5 miles approximately
Summary: Eighteen Strollers met up in Roslin on a dreich and
dull October Wednesday to walk along the old Edinburgh, Loanhead & Roslin
railway line to Straiton. Given the
weather we decided not to go through the woods as it would have been a bit
squelchy and we didn’t want to perpetuate the myth that we only did walks with
muddy paths. Setting out along Manse Road Andy regaled us with tales of Roslin
from his youth, we think this was just to prove his memory was still there and
that doing a ‘spin’ class hadn’t exhausted him totally.
As we strolled along, we
passed the site where Dolly the sheep had been born and bred before becoming a
display at the Museum of Scotland. Further on we stopped for a look at the
monument to the Battle of Roslin which occurred in 1303. It's not quite clear
whether this was a 'real' battle or an ambush of an English supply train. The
'romantic' view is that it was a fight over a woman, Lady Margaret Ramsey of Dalhousie, but the numbers
involved vary from about 1500 to over 30,000. If the latter, more might be
known about it. We then
made our way onto Bilston viaduct. Passenger services over the viaduct ended in
1933 but coal traffic to Roslin Colliery continued to pass over it until June
1969. The central span is 140 feet up from the ground below and we’re sure if
it hadn’t been misty we would have had some nice views! It was renovated in
1999 as part of the opening up of the cycleway at a cost of £1.5 million. Passing through Loanhead where coal was mined from
around 1685, with a paper mill, in the valley of the River North Esk to the
south of the town, commencing in 1742. Unfortunately none of these industries
exist anymore. Loanhead is probably most famous for being the home of Alex
Young the Hearts, Everton and Scotland forward.
Continuing on we made our way
to Straiton Pond which is now a Local Nature Reserve. For over a century the
pond was a working clay pit, supplying local brickworks with blue clay. The reserve
has changed a good deal since the last clay was extracted, and is now a pretty
and peaceful spot for a picnic, stroll or bird watch, but not today.
We
finished the walk at Straiton Retail Park. Thanks to Drew for arranging yet another walk for us. Let’s hope for better weather in November.
Saturday 30 September 2017
Sunday 3 September 2017
Strollers Walk No. 221 - Tuesday 12th September 2017, Burntisland to Kilkcaldy
Walk No. 221 Burntisland to Kirkcaldy on the Fife Coastal Path
Distance: 5 miles (if using buses) or up to 6.8 miles (if only using train)
Eighteen Strollers met up at Burntisland Links to walk the Fife Coastal Path to Kirkcaldy. Some came by car and some by train, though a couple of those on the train were too busy talking and ignored the announcement for Burntisland. They had to get off at Kinghorn and come back again. Luckily one of them had bought a ticket to Kinghorn anyway, though it was supposed to be to Kirkcaldy to allow for the journey home!
Having timed the walk to allow for the tide being out, we set off underneath the railway and on to the beach at the end of the esplanade to walk along the rather rocky section at the end of Burntisland. Wellington boots would have been an idea as us tail enders could have gone out a little further and just walked over the sand, even though there were still some pockets of water in dips. Passing the large Pettycur Caravan site where many people from Edinburgh used to holiday, we made our way along the beach to Pettycur Harbour, which at one time was a ferry link to Leith and Newhaven before a deeper harbour was built at Burntisland. Working our way up the hill from the harbour and on to Kinghorn, where we stopped at some picnic tables for a bite of lunch. Wilson however went the whole hog and decided on the healthy walker’s option of chips and beans followed by a scone at a local cafe! We passed the lifeboat station, where SL’s Mr Tulloch followed a long tradition of his sailing family by starting off manning the lifeboat to becoming Chairman and getting an MBE for his services.
Leaving Kinghorn we worked our way along the path towards Kirkcaldy seeing butterflies and gold Finches, then managing to see about 20 seals sunning themselves on the rocks below, as well as a few herons and cormorants in addition to the seagulls. Heading on past the ruins of Seafield Tower, built in the 16th century and believed to have been 5 stories high, we made our way along to Seafield. Passing the remains of the World War 2 sea wall where Mr Sharp used to spend time in his youth we finished our walk and headed for trains or buses.
Thanks to Alistair for ensuring the tide was out, the weather was good and for arranging a lovely walk. Can we be that lucky next time in October?
Distance: 5 miles (if using buses) or up to 6.8 miles (if only using train)
Eighteen Strollers met up at Burntisland Links to walk the Fife Coastal Path to Kirkcaldy. Some came by car and some by train, though a couple of those on the train were too busy talking and ignored the announcement for Burntisland. They had to get off at Kinghorn and come back again. Luckily one of them had bought a ticket to Kinghorn anyway, though it was supposed to be to Kirkcaldy to allow for the journey home!
Having timed the walk to allow for the tide being out, we set off underneath the railway and on to the beach at the end of the esplanade to walk along the rather rocky section at the end of Burntisland. Wellington boots would have been an idea as us tail enders could have gone out a little further and just walked over the sand, even though there were still some pockets of water in dips. Passing the large Pettycur Caravan site where many people from Edinburgh used to holiday, we made our way along the beach to Pettycur Harbour, which at one time was a ferry link to Leith and Newhaven before a deeper harbour was built at Burntisland. Working our way up the hill from the harbour and on to Kinghorn, where we stopped at some picnic tables for a bite of lunch. Wilson however went the whole hog and decided on the healthy walker’s option of chips and beans followed by a scone at a local cafe! We passed the lifeboat station, where SL’s Mr Tulloch followed a long tradition of his sailing family by starting off manning the lifeboat to becoming Chairman and getting an MBE for his services.
Leaving Kinghorn we worked our way along the path towards Kirkcaldy seeing butterflies and gold Finches, then managing to see about 20 seals sunning themselves on the rocks below, as well as a few herons and cormorants in addition to the seagulls. Heading on past the ruins of Seafield Tower, built in the 16th century and believed to have been 5 stories high, we made our way along to Seafield. Passing the remains of the World War 2 sea wall where Mr Sharp used to spend time in his youth we finished our walk and headed for trains or buses.
Thanks to Alistair for ensuring the tide was out, the weather was good and for arranging a lovely walk. Can we be that lucky next time in October?
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