Outing to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Thursday 21st September 2017

On Thursday 21^st September, we had a very successful final outing for 2017, when 58 pensioners departed from a wet Edinburgh on the Big bus. We had a leisurely coffee stop at the Mackinnon Mills near Coatbridge, where we all had time for some retail therapy. We then travelled on to Glasgow to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, arriving in time for the half hour Organ recital at 1pm. The Organist played a variety of music including songs from the musicals.
Although we ended up with a lovely sunny day in Glasgow the wind was quite cold and with so much to see at Kelvingrove we did not venture elsewhere. The bus driver was lucky as he was able to park at Kelvingrove for the whole time we were there, so it was an easy departure to Grangemouth for High Tea. This was at the Leapark Hotel and most said they thought it was one of the best yet. Thanks to everyone involved in organising our summer coach outings this year.

Strollers Walk No. 220 - Thursday 17th August 2017, Earlston Circular Walk

Walk No. 220:    Earlston Circular
Date:                 Thursday 17th August 2017
Started at:         The War Memorial, Earlston
Summary:         On a warm and sunny day where the temperatures soared to 21 degrees nineteen Strollers met up for this walk. Leaving Earlston and going up a hill which gave views back over the village and to the Black Hill, Ruberslaw and the Eildons. Following the path down into Carolside Woods where Moira lived up to her reputation and people were heard calling her name, Muddy Moira, at least I think that’s what they were saying. The previous day’s heavy rain had made some bits of the path slightly damp to say the least.
At one point we had a nice view of the Park Bridge where we were to stop for a break. Then it was time to head down and cross the A68 into the trees on the other side, down to the Leader Water and over the first suspension bridge which everyone took great joy in bouncing their way across. As usual having got down it was time to go back up. I don’t remember Moira mentioning all these steps in the description. Then down to Park Bridge for a view of Carolside House, which is a late-18th-century category B listed building and is set in a former deer park. The grounds have a Historical Collection of ancient roses including a National Collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses and are open to the public in July each year. While at the bridge kingfishers were spotted as well as fish jumping in the water. Back on the trail passing Clackmae farm with its herd of Holstein cows, to the next suspension bridge where we failed to spot the sign that said 4 people at a time! Possibly a little more bouncy than it should have been.
Our thanks to Moira for arranging the walk and the glorious weather.

Email addresses are being returned "Undelivered"

If you previously had an email address from Orange, Wanadoo, Freeserve, FSNet, etc., you will hopefully be aware that EE have shut down all these email systems as of 31st May 2017. You will have been forced to register with an alternative email provider and create a new email address. You will need to advise the Association of your new email address in order to continue to receive our emails. 
Unfortunately we are now getting a significant number of emails being returned as "Undelivered", because we have not been advised of your new email address.
 If you are affected, please get in touch with us at sl.pensioners.association@gmail.com and let us know your new email address, thanks.

Outing to Inchcolm Abbey on the Maid of the Forth - Wednesday 23rd August 2017

The fourth of our Summer Outings was held on Wednesday 23rd August, when 32 members made the trip on the Maid of the Forth from South Queensferry to Inchcolm island.  After braving the parking area that was Waterloo Place, thanks to diversions for traffic at Easter Road/Abbeyhill starting earlier than was stated and problems with traffic lights, the coach travelled from Edinburgh stopping for coffee at Dobbie's near Livingston. This included a tour round the roundabout as Robbie the driver got confused by his sat-nav. It was then on to South Queensferry and boarding  the ‘Maid of the Forth’ for our trip out to Inchcolm Island. Time for seal spotting on the way, with plenty time on the island to admire the Abbey and explore the old fortifications from the two World Wars. Returning back on the boat under all three bridges with opportunities to take photos of seals on marker buoys as well as getting some great views of the bridges from different angles.

Some people stayed on in South Queensferry for tea but the rest returned to Edinburgh and the on-going congestion.
Thanks to those who organised the outing and made it an enjoyable day as well as arranging a lovely day and calm water.

Please note: Many emails to members are now being returned "Undelivered", due to the closure by EE of several email systems. Please contact our mailbox at sl.pensioners.association@gmail.com if you have changed your email address.

Strollers Walk No. 219 - Tuesday 18th July 2017, Ratho Canal Walk

Walk No. 219:   Union Canal walk from Ratho
Distance:           5 miles approximately

Start at:             Ratho Bridge Inn
Finish at:           Ratho Brisge Inn
Summary:        
On a hot sunny day nineteen Strollers met up at Ratho Bridge for a walk along the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal led by Ronnie. The canal runs for 32 miles from Edinburgh to Falkirk where it joins the Forth and Clyde Canal as part of the original trading link between the two cities but we weren’t going to walk all that way, well not today! The bushes and brambles had grown a lot since Ronnie had first checked the walk, so many places were done in single file. We passed the base for the Seagull Trust which provides boat trips for the disabled and then the Ratho Adventure Centre. The Adventure Centre was built inside a disused quarry and has the largest indoor climbing walls in the UK. Walking parallel to the M8 for a little bit, which made that part of the walk quite noisy, we passed the island in the middle of the canal with its ‘toy’ fort all set to repel boarders. We made our way to the valley of the River Almond and the magnificent 1821 Lin’s Mill Aqueduct. William Lin was the last man in Scotland to die from the plague in 1645. The Aqueduct is the highest structure of its type in Scotland and the 3^rd highest in Britain. We headed down the stairs, under the canal and back up the other side to sit in the sun and have some lunch. It was a bit remiss of Ronnie not to arrange for a barge or two to moor so we could step over rather than go down and up, as happened the last time we were here. The views from the aqueduct were amazing. We sat and ate lunch while barges passed and a canoe paddled by. All too soon it was time to start back via Clifton Road and then back down to the canal and return to Ratho.
Well done to Ian for lasting the walk, although a bit hot and wet from the heat, and our thanks to Ronnie for organising such a flat walk on a very hot sunny day.
Let’s hope for similar weather in August, though slightly cooler would be good.

Outing to Drunlanrig Castle and Gardens - Monday 10th July 2017

Our third coach outing of 2017 will be on Monday 10th July, when we have a full day trip to Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens, near Thornhill in Dunfriesshire. Details of this outing have now been sent to members, either by email or post. Bookings and payment reuqire to be returned by Friday 23rd June (full booking details are on the form sent with details).

Please note: High tea will be at the Buccleuch Hotel in Moffat (not Kelso as was in the original details).

Strollers Walk No. 218 - Wednesday 21st June 2017, Peebles to Eddlestone

Walk No. 218:    Peebles to Eddlestone
Date:                Wednesday 21st June 2017
Distance:          6 miles approximately
Start at:           Edinburgh Road Car Park, Peebles
Finish at:         Horseshoe Inn, Eddlestone

Sixteen Strollers, and one hanger-on, met on a day that was forecast for rain, thunder and lightning to walk from Peebles to Eddlestone via the old Drovers Road. As it turned out everyone was a bit wet when the walk finished but this was due to the heat and the energy used on the hill that was supposed to only be a quarter of a mile long. Someone needs to get a better measuring stick. Thankfully we had no thunder or rain at all, despite the forecast.
As we walked from the car park to Standalone Farm to start our walk we passed houses decorated for the Beltane week and our hanger-on pointed out whose house they belonged to and also where she played as a child. It’s amazing how good her memory is and how cheeky she is, as she then borrowed a phone from someone cutting their grass just to check where we were on the walk! She left us at the start of the hill which many later described as an astute move. Eventually at the crest of the hill we had lovely views back down to Peebles and the hills beyond.
Stopping for lunch break allowed everyone to get their breath back and cool down a little before crossing a field to walk down the farm track to join up with the Eddlestone to Lyne Road, where we were followed and stared at by a herd of cows who were obviously bemused by a group walking in such heat. Joining up again with the Drovers Road we made our way along to Eddlestone passing through fields of sheep and then down past Bunny Corner and the house with guard geese and ducks on the way to Barony Castle Hotel, where the Polish troops were stationed during the war. Some people stopped there to go for lunch while others went to look at the Great Polish Map of Scotland, while the rest of

us made our way down the hill passing the llama’s on our way to catch a bus back to Peebles.
With immaculate timing, we got to the bus stop just in time for the bus, which took 5 minutes to get us back to where we started the walk 3 hours earlier! At least it didn’t rain.
Thanks to Drew for another great route, but everyone is looking forward to a flat canal walk in July!

Outing to Ford and Etal Estates on Friday 9th June 2017

The second of our summer outings was to Ford and Etal Estates in Northumberland on Friday 8th June. 39 of us left Waterloo Place, Edinburgh by coach and made our way through the borders to the village of Etal. There we all boarded the little train from Etal along the banks of the River Till to Heatherslaw. On arrival, we were met by an estate guide who directed some of us to the tea-room and the rest for a guided tour of the working Cornmill. The two groups then swapped over, so that everyone had a chance to visit both venues at Heatherslaw. We then rejoined our coach for the short journey to Ford Village, where we had a chance to visit The Lady Waterford Hall and also stroll around the pretty village in a warm and pleasant afternoon. High tea was at 4:30pm at The Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso, before we retuned to Edinburgh by mid-evening. Many thanks to Liz for arranging this outing.

Strollers Walk No. 217 - Monday 22nd May 2017, Mouse Water Lanark

Walk No. 217:  Mouse Water, Lanark
Date:               Monday 22nd May 2017
Distance:         5.5 miles approximately, if omitting New Lanark
Duration:          2 to 3 hours
Start at:           Lanark town centre, in middle of High Street
Summary: On a wet Monday morning, 14 Strollers met outside Costa Coffee in Lanark for this walk. After some discussion and borrowing of umbrellas, we set off down the High Street. In less than 10 minutes the rain stopped and never returned for the rest of the walk. We arrived at Mouse Water and followed the path via Cartland Craigs to then cross the A73 and descend to Mousemill Old Bridge. We crossed the Clyde on the "new" (1959) bridge at Clydesholm then back over the "old" (1694-1699) bridge to join the Clyde Valley Walkway. Arriving at Castlebank House and Park, we stopped a snack in the sunshine. A couple of walkers then headed uphill back to town while the rest of us rejoined the walkway and continued to New Lanark. There, the toilets and cafe were popular, but not as popular as the local bus that several of us used to return up the hill to Lanark Centre. Many thanks to John and Janice for arranging this walk.

Outing to Jute Museum (Verdant Works) on Tuesday 16th May

The first of our Summer Outings was held on Tuesday 16th May , when almost 50 members travelled by coach from Edinburgh to Dundee to visit the Jute Museum. We stopped for coffee at Dobbie's near Halbeath before continuing to Dundee via Glenrothes and the Tay Road Bridge. We had ample to time to explore the interesting museum, learning about the wealth that the jute trade brought to Dundee, but also about the working and housing conditions of the workers, mostly women and some children as young as 12 or even 9.
There was some time for us to enjoy a coffee there or venture briefly to the shops in the city centre before our coach picked us up and took us to Kinross for high tea. We returned to Edinburgh, with people being dropped off around 8pm. 
Thanks to those who organised the outing and made it an enjoyable day.

Dates and Venues for Summer Outings 2017

Here are the dates and proposed venues for our 2017 Summer Outings.
 Tuesday 16th May               Scottish Jute Museum (Verdant Works) in Dundee
 Friday 9th June                    Ford and Etal Estates, in Northumberland
 Monday 10th July                 Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens, Thornhill, Dumfries & Galloway
 Wednesday 23rd August      Maid of the Forth Cruise to Inchcolm Abbey
 Thursday 21st September     Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow


Details of the first outing are already in the post or will be emailed to members shortly.

Strollers Walk No. 216 - Thursday 20th April 2017, Cramond Brig to South Queensferry

Walk No. 216: John Muir Way - Cramond Brig Toll to High Street, South Queensferry
Date:              Thursday 20th April 2017
Distance:        5.3 miles approximately
This  linear walk followed part of the John Muir Way through the grounds of Dalmeny Estate. On a windy, dry, sometimes bright April day thirty Strollers met up to walk to South Queensferry. One even then walked back, while the rest of us caught the bus or had left a car near the end. Walking through the Rosebery Estate and parallel with the River Almond and on down to the sea shore the wind dropped away and it became a nice calm day for a lovely walk. Passing Eagle Rock, which has a carving of an eagle reputedly done by a Roman Soldier from the garrison at the River Almond, we made our way along the edge of the 9 hole golf course towards Dalmeny House.
Dalmeny House & Estate has been home to the Earls of Rosebery since 1662 and the house itself was completed in 1817. It marked a great departure in Scottish architecture with its Tudor Gothic style and its highly-decorated chimneys and crenellations, looked back toward fanciful 16th-century English mansions, such as Hampton Court. The house hosts a collection of Napoleon memorabilia, as well as paintings by artists such as Raeburn and Gainsborough. Prior to this the family stayed in Barnbougle Castle which is on the site of a medieval tower house built by the Mowbray family which was destroyed and then rebuilt in the 19th century. At Barnbougle the fifth Earl of Rosebery (Prime Minister) practised his speeches in a gallery hall built for the purpose.
We then continued through the woodland past Fishery Cottage which gains it name from the salmon netting undertaken until the 1950s when declining stocks of salmon made the operation uneconomic. You can see the remains of the wooden piles along the seashore. Continuing on past the Hound Point Terminal where oil tankers from all over the world stop to load up with oil from the North Sea which has been refined at Grangemouth Refinery further up the river. The oil is then stored at Dalmeny Tank Farm, near Dalmeny Village, before onward transmission to the oil terminal at Hound Point. Then on towards South Queensferry realising it was still windy, before finishing our walk under the Forth Rail bridge.
Our thanks to Ian for organising a very nice walk and for arranging such good weather.

National Trust for Scotland - Members' Car Park Sticker

It's that time of the year again when National Trust members receive the NTS spring magazine.
Although I'm never quick to read my copy, I always remember to search through it straight away to find this year's Car Park Sticker. However, this year, rather than hiding it in the magazine, the NTS have put it inside the Members' Guide book (look between pages 24 and 25).
This is an improvement on previous years, as members are more likely to hang on to the Guide book. Previously some of us have previously thrown out our Car Park sticker with the magazine.
Be warned.

Strollers Walk No. 215 - Wednesday 22nd march 2017, Ocean Terminal to Silverknowes

Walk No. 215:   Ocean Terminal to Silverknowes
Date:                 Wednesday 22nd March 2017

Distance:          5.5 miles approximately

Thirty-three strollers met at Ocean Terminal to walk along to Silverknowes on a dull, windy but dry day. Passing the Chancelot flour mill, part of the operations of American food giant Archer Daniels Midland, producing organic and non-organic flours, bakery pre-mixes, concentrates and sundries for the baking industry in Scotland and the North. On past Newhaven Harbour, site of the building of the largest Scottish ship the Great Michael launched in 1512 then sold to the French in 1514 after the battle of Flodden. Passing the Old Chain Pier, where steamers used to operate from between 1820 and 1850 when Granton Harbour surpassed it. The pier was destroyed in a storm in 1898. Granton Harbour was built to ferry steam trains from Edinburgh to Burntisland in Fife in the days before the Forth Railway Bridge.
At Granton Square we were supposed to be met by Bill M who obviously hadn’t checked bus routes in a long time and got lost but managed to get on a 47 and catch the group as we made our way through the site of the old gas works, now a mix of housing, supermarket and a college as well as a newly formed park. It also opened up access to view the early 19th century house of Caroline House, which was in the middle of the gas works. We passed the old railway station, which is now a listed building, before making our way down to the windy promenade, then along and up to our finish at Silverknowes Golf Club.
It was here that an injury from a golf club sustained many years ago resurfaced and caused an embarrassing situation when one of the group failed to recognise the differing signs for the ladies and gents toilets. I’m sure she’ll take more care in the future.
Thanks yet again to Drew for organising this interesting walk. Looking forward to seeing you all on the next walk on 20th April.