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.
Thanks yet again to drew (and Eleanor) for organising this walk. Hope to see you all on the next walk.
