Outing to Thirlestane Castle and Peebles - 15 August 2025

The weather was perfect for our third and last outing this year. With a slightly later start (10am), a busload of 37 set off to the Borders. 

Our first stop was at the Stair Arms Hotel in Pathhead. Although it was a tight squeeze in the room, we enjoyed the prearranged tea, coffee and newly baked, delicious scones.

Then a short journey brought us to Thirlestane Castle. Amanda introduced me to our guides, Fiona, Linda, Liz and Anne, and we took her advice to split into two groups, one fast and one slow. Everyone enjoyed their friendly knowledge, the beauty of the rooms and the history of the castle and its people. Oh, the stunning plasterwork on the ceilings! Nothing is cordoned off although naturally we were ‘not to touch’.

Just after 2pm Dave, our driver, took us through Galashiels and west by the river Tweed to Peebles. It was a lovely drive. The town was in warm, not hot, sunshine. With no coats needed, we all had the choice of short walks, good shops and close watering holes.

High tea at The Green Tree Hotel was superb. A barman took drinks’ orders at our tables which prevented those annoying queues. The food portions were generous and many enjoyed chicken curry, a new addition to our choice of menu. Not much space left for the scones and cakes, but we managed!

With happy faces we left Peebles just before 6.30 to travel back through Penicuik to Edinburgh.

A special, memorable day.

Walk 301 - Penicuik House - July 2025

Thirteen Strollers, an unlucky number, met outside Greggs in Penicuik to go for a stroll round the Penicuik House Estate.

On a lovely hot day we set off to follow the path along the side of the North Esk River to make our way past the fairy garden, to the ’Roman’ bridge and on past the curling pond up to the house. As thirteen was an unlucky number, one of the group decided they had to drop out and go home, with two of the group volunteering to make sure they got home safely. Luckily they stayed close by. Thankfully there were no lasting ill effects after the walk.

The house, which is just a shell due to a fire at the end of the 19th century, is still an imposing building. The family had relocated to the stable block which is now a hotel and wedding location. They are fairly impressive stables with a church like spire as well as an observatory. From here we made our way back past the large doocot, space for 1500 pigeons, and back through the woods towards Penicuik. This followed a route recently taken by Clare Balding for one of her radio 4 shows.

Our route was slightly blocked at the entrance to St James the Lesser church by a large crane which had broken down. This involved some deep intakes of breath and trying to avoid getting grease from the struts on hands and clothing, not always successfully. 

Thanks to Drew for arranging good weather and an exciting finish.

Walk 300 - Colinton, Bonaly and Torphin - June 2025

A dozen Strollers met in Colinton Village to walk up towards Bonaly and past Torduff reservoir to Clubbidean reservoir returning over the old Torphin golf course.

We walked up past Bonaly School and, turning up the road to Torduff, we took time to admire the ever increasing pack of llamas grazing in the field. It was a bright sunny day for the walk but nobody thought it warm enough to go for a dook in the reservoir.

Following the ‘s’ bend over the stream that connects the two reservoirs up the short steep gradient, we stopped for lunch at Clubbidean.

Retracing our steps for a short distance we entered the area which was once Torphin golf course. Closed for over 10 years now it has areas fenced off for sheep but with lots of paths for walking over. We even saw a couple of large hares running around.

When we looked down to Torduff from Torphin someone was indeed having a dook. We then had a game of name that building as the views from the course over the town were very good. Unfortunately the monstrosity that is being built at Haymarket rather blighted the landscape. We also had great views east down the coast, out to the west and north over the bridges to Fife and beyond.

We then made our way back down towards Bonaly and Colinton to head home.

Thanks to Drew for organising the walk.

Walk 299 - Forth Road Bridge - May 2025

Twelve Strollers met on a gloriously sunny day at the car park at South Queensferry to walk over the bridge and then follow the Fife coastal path to the start of Inverkeithing and the park and ride at Ferry Toll.

The east footpath was closed so, braving the steps and subway, we set off across the bridge on the west side facing the new road bridge.

Looking down we could see the children learning to sail at Port Edgar with a few capsizing. Dry land is better! Looking up we could see the bright orange jackets of the workmen above us doing the repairs to the bridge.

Once across we descended the steps and onto the road into North Queensferry where the ferry used to run from, across the water to South Queensferry. Passing the remains of the old wells with the dog and lion heads, we ascended the slope following the Fife Coastal path and the Pilgrims Way.

We stopped at the site of the old quarry for a lunch break and to take in the views over to Dalgety Bay and back to the Roseberry Estate, taking care not to get too close to the cliff edge. We then continued on down the path past the Port Laing beach and coming out onto the site of the harbour and now salvage yard. We followed the road until we came to the Inverkeithing Road where we finished. Some went for a coffee in Inverkeithing while others went for the bus back home.

An enjoyable walk and thanks to Drew for organising and the weather. 

Outing to Culzean Castle - 12 May 2025

Forty nine pensioners and guests met on a very misty morning to set out on our first outing of the year. 

The weather didn't brighten until just before we reached our coffee stop at MacKinnon Mills, Coatbridge. As well as our break, there was an opportunity for some retail therapy.

 We then headed to Ayrshire and the weather stayed warm and sunny for us.

We were able to visit the castle and its grounds. As this was your chairman's fourteenth visit, it must have something going for it!

Our high teas was at the Fenwick Hotel. The food was plentiful and very tasty. (The wine was reasonably priced too.)

The driver brought us back to Edinburgh using some of the less travelled routes to help avoid some large lorries which might well have slowed us down.

Not a bad start to our outings.

Walk 298 - Musselburgh to Dalkeith - April 2025

Thirteen Strollers met up at the car park next to the Roman Bridge in Musselburgh to walk to Dalkeith.

We met under the canopy of the Hayweights clock which marks the old site of the weighbridge. The workings of the clock are actually in the clock at Eskmills. Setting off past Eskmills we followed the River Esk past the mills which are now offices and an events venue. We passed a very good painting of a Kingfisher on an old gate though we didn’t see any live ones on the river, just geese and ducks as well as numerous other birds.

Making our way to Whitecraig passing all the new houses, rather than walk along the main road and into the Dalkeith Country Park, we crossed the road and had a break at the football ground. Fully restored we made our way up onto the old railway line, passing a beautifully painted camper van, we then followed the railway walk for a bit then came off to walk back down Salters Road to cross the main road again and into the park.

From here we followed the road all the way into Restoration Yard, stopping for a photo opportunity with the Great Ape carving and to watch the kids clambering through the trees on the walkways above our heads.

Hopefully the weather will be better for our next walk though it was only raining slightly when we met but stopped quite soon and the sun was out for a brief spell as we finished the walk.

Thanks to Drew for arranging the walk.

Walk 297 - Historic Walk Corstorphine - March 2025

On a gorgeous sunny March day twenty four Strollers met at the Old Kirk in Corstorphine with our guides Helen and Karen.

They gave us some information on the history of Corstorphine from the viewpoint of its location between two lochs, Corstorphine and Gogar. They also told us about the important families like the Forresters whose names live on in school names and streets, as well as the trials of witches.

We were then told about Chrystal Macmillan who came from Corstorphine. She has a building at the University of Edinburgh named after her to commemorate all her work as a lawyer, peace advocate, feminist and suffragette, to name a few, as well as being the first female science graduate.

We then spent an interesting thirty minutes in the church with local guides hearing the history of the church and the link with the university searching for older buildings on the site and for crypts under the flagstones.

Back outside we stopped at what at one time was described as Irish Corner due to the Irish labourers who stayed there while working on the canals and railways and looking up at the impish figure on the roof. From here we went to look at the doo’cot which supplied food for the castle which once stood here.

From here we went into St Margaret's Park which was gifted to Corstorphine in 1915 by an American, Christopher Brown, in honour of his wife who came from there.

We finished at the Dower House which is now home to the Corstorphine Trust and has a nice cafe.

Our thanks to our guides, Helen and Karen, as well as the guides at the church and extra local knowledge supplied by Ian Kirkpatrick.

Fingers crossed for good weather for the rest of the year.

Walk 296 - Historic Walk - February 2025

Thirty Three Strollers met up in the Museum at Chambers Street to start a walk based round Edinburgh becoming a Royal Burgh.

It started with the marriage of King Malcolm and Margaret and then their son David becoming king. He had spent many years in England and brought back the idea of burghs from their and how a burgh should be laid out. He also created several mints round Scotland to mint Scottish coins. The first mint was created at Carlisle which was then part of Scotland. Burghs were formed by having a castle at one end raised up in the motte and bailey design with a street running from it, houses and strips of land along either side of the street and a market place. Gladstone’s Land in the High Street is a good example of the width of the plots and land extending behind it.

We also heard about the founding of the early guilds for the bakers, blacksmiths etc. After that we went to Bristo Square to look at a Lord Provost’s lamppost which signified his status then down into Greyfriars Kirk.

From here we moved down to the High Street where we looked at the site of the Butter Tron where butter and cheese was weighed before being sold in the Lawnmarket, at the junction of the High Street and Johnston Terrace. We also heard ghost stories about one of the houses which used to stand here. We then went into Riddles Court to look at how later planning tried to create open spaces for people rather than just buildings pressing against each other.

We finished up at the Mercat Cross with the story of the first fire brigade and the great fire which destroyed a lot of the buildings in 1824 and which lasted for 5 days.

There was a lot more but too much to mention.

Our thanks to our guides Karen and Helen for the walk and for arranging a mild and dry day for it, though it did get a tad wet after we finished

Walk 295 - Haymarket to the Water of Leith Centre at Slateford - January 2025

On a surprisingly mild January day eighteen Strollers met at Haymarket Station for a walk along the Water of Leith path to the centre at Slateford. It was a crisp day, but nowhere near as cold as it had been and it was dry, and some of us felt decidedly overdressed.

We followed the tram tracks along to join the cycle path where we went down the hill to walk along Russell Road to Roseburn Park. The park is looked after by a local support group who have been involved in a lot of improvements in it. We passed the ever name changing rugby stadium of Murrayfield and then past the ice-rink and curling centre before heading along the river. After a slight forgetful moment by the leader of the walk we made a quick U-turn to cross the bridge. This took us to the other side to follow the path past Balgreen bowling and croquet club and the primary school.

From here we crossed the road into Saughton Park and, after a look at the bandstand and gardens, we stopped for a break at the cafe. Surprisingly it was fine to sit out at the picnic tables. After that we walked along Fords Road and crossed the Calder Road to follow the river again to re-cross it and go up past the allotments and cemetery along to our finishing point of the Water of Leith Centre. For some reason no-one wanted to continue the walk and circle back along the canal to Tollcross. 

Our thanks to Drew for arranging the walk and the weather.

Hopefully the weather for the historic walks in February and March will be as good.