Strollers Walk 240 - The River Almomd at Cramond

Looking out the window at the fog didn’t bode well for the walk up the Almond but by the time twenty nine Strollers gathered at Cramond the sun was peeping out and it was a nice day for the walk.

We were split into three groups with guides from the Cramond Heritage Trust to lead us and tell us the history of the mills on the river. They started by advising us that before World War II, Edinburgh Corporation had bought the beach at Cramond and Silverknowes down to the low tide mark in order to build an airport and that the esplanade as we know it now was meant to be a road. The outbreak of war stopped these plans as all the resources were diverted to the war effort and the plans changed after the war.

Moving up the river we heard about the large quarry on the other side of the river and how the stone was ferried to Edinburgh via Leith as the roads weren’t good enough. This route ceased when the Dean Bridge was built and the roads between Queensferry and Edinburgh improved.

There were 4 mills on the east side of the river which had started off milling wheat but changed to producing iron goods, The ‘raw’ iron was imported from Sweden and Russia with the Swedish ore being lower quality but cheaper! Between 1752 and 1860, a range of products such as nails and shovels were produced in a riverside “black country”. You can still see two of the four water driven mills with their lades connecting the tramway and wharf.

Workers lived in tied cottages beside the lower and upper mills and the managing director could oversee everything from his house on the hill. The mills were owned by the Carron Company (1759-1771) and by the Cadell family (1771-1860).

The path we walk on was the route of the old ‘lades’ which carried the water from the dams to drive the mill wheels. The dams are mostly gone but you can still see the ruins of some of them in the water.

Some of the mills later changed to paper and glue production but this didn’t last long. There was a fifth mill on the other side of the river but it never began work.

We finished off at the old Cramond Brig and the Strollers dispersed for lunch to the local hostelries.

Our thanks to Ian K for arranging this walk with the Cramond Heritage Society. It was really interesting to hear the history and stories of the river.  

June to September Outings 2019

Our other outings are as follows:-
Friday 14 June - Dumfries House, Cumnock
Monday 22 July - Ayr Races
Tuesday 20 August - Blair Castle and Pitlochry
Wednesday 18 September - Museum of Flight and North Berwick

May 2019 Outing to the V&A Dundee

Our first outing of 2019 was on Thursday 16 May to the new V&A in Dundee.

After our coffee stop at the Glendoick Garden Centre, we arrived in Dundee at noon.

The V&A has not been open long and the architecture itself is quite spectacular. On the first floor there is a most interesting exhibition, particularly the engineer's drawings, and lots of items regarding Dundee. There are further exhibitions to come, many of which will be chargeable. There is a also a big restaurant and shop on the ground floor.

We left at quarter to four and headed for Lundin Links where we enjoyed a lovely high tea.

There were one or two teething problems with our driver who had left Airdrie at half five that morning and wasn't sure of where we were heading. However, it all worked out in the end. 

Strollers Walk 239- Gullane

Twenty seven Strollers turned out for a circular walk starting at Gullane’s Goose Green, all suitably attired for cold and windy conditions. With temperatures of around 16C and 17C, it was soon time to start shedding the jackets and fleeces! 

Working our way down to the beach and then up and down the dunes it seemed more like a roller coaster ride than a stroll. The views over Gullane Point and the beaches back towards Gullane and Muirfield were wonderful.  

Having reached the Point, it was along by Gullane Number one golf course whilst doing our best to annoy the lady golfers as we talked in stage whispers as we passed by. Skirting the other Gullane golf courses we went into the Aberlady Nature Park and stopped for a bit of lunch, whilst watching all the other ramblers go by. It seemed we’d hit rush hour. It was also good to watch a rambler negotiate the electric fence without getting a shock. He’d obviously practiced his technique. 

Going on, we passed quite a few toads trying to cross the path as well as spotting deer and hearing the many birds nesting in the grass and around the bay. Crossing the wooden bridge at Aberlady Bay, which looked as if a few spars could do with being replaced, we stopped to use the facilities before walking back along the road following the John Muir path to Luffness Golf course. Following the path along the side of it and then round the edge of Gullane Number three course, we passed near to the ruins of Saltcoats Castle back to Gullane and the end of the walk.  

Our thanks to Ronnie and George for scouting the walk and organising such a wonderful day weather wise.

Strollers Walk Number 238 - Linlithgow

Forty Seven Strollers met at Linlithgow Cross to start a tour of the town. The coordinator had all almost the names on the list but not necessarily in the right order which caused a bit of confusion! (The chairman's name was missing!)

Our guides told us a bit of the history of the town, pointing out the coat of arms with the dog on it, and then we went into the gardens at Burgh Hall to see the ‘green man’ which is a bronze statue of John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun in his official robes as first Governor General of Australia. Walking up the hill towards the Palace, we looked at the boundary wall of St Michael's church cemetery and the plaques which record the direct line of succession from Mary, Queen of Scots to the present queen. Inside St Michaels Church we were serenaded by the organist playing ABBA tunes. She then moved to the piano to play musical songs.

The church has been here from the 12th Century and was used by the Royal family staying at the Palace including the christening of Mary, Queen of Scots. It also has lovely stained glass windows as well as tapestries and a crown on top of the tower to replicate the ‘crown of thorns’ worn by Jesus.

From there it was outside to listen to the history of the palace and ‘admire’ the statue of Mary. Moving on down to the loch, we heard the story of the black dog on the town’s coat of arms. The dog was left on one of the islands in the loch with its owner to starve to death. The morale being that we shouldn’t upset grumpy kings who can do what they like.

It was then time to walk along the loch, trying to avoid the swans, and walking, past the gardens which are long and narrow and were called Riggs. This was also the site of the leather trade that used to be here as well as many other industries based around the cattle market. From horns to hoof nothing was left unused from making shoes and gloves to candles and soap as well as plaster. We then headed back round to finish at the Cross and hear about John West who was born in Linlithgow but left to go chasing tuna.

Our thanks to Helen and Karen who had taken a lot of time to visit and research Linlithgow for our benefit. We’ll see them again next year but March will see us back to wandering the highways and byways!

Strollers Walk number 237 - Dalry and Fountainbridge

On a cold but windless and bright day 57 Strollers met at Haymarket Station for a walk round the Dalry and Fountainbridge areas. It was good to see our Blue Badge guides, Helen and Karen, again.

Passing Easter Dalry House, once the home of David Scott the romantic painter, we stopped to gaze up at the chimney stack which is around 300 feet in height and to look at the distillery buildings, which are now flats, and to see the sheer size of the distillery site. We had a quick look at the sculpture of the men rolling barrels (funded by the flat builders) and at the former site of the Scotia Cinema founded by John Maxwell who then went on to own Elstree Studios.

We then stopped to look at the tenements in the Caledonian area. These were designed by the same builder as the Learmonth estate but were aimed at the workers of the local area. We also took in the Dalry Baths and Dalry House while quite a few the Strollers who had either lived in that area or whose parents/grandparents had stayed there regaled us with tales of their childhood and memories.

Our route then took us through the Telfer underpass to admire the Fountainbridge library originally built in 1897 but rebuilt with lovely art deco friezes and reopened in 1940. We also passed the new Boroughmuir School and the Fountain Park Cinema complex. These were both built on the sites of the brewery which used to take up most of the area before heading to the canal. 

The canal was important to the area as both coal and cattle were shipped in by this route. We then took in the view looking out over the sites of the former rubber mill and sweet factory. The remaining part of the rubber mill is now being renovated as a gallery. No walk in this area would have been complete without reminding us that Sean Connery lived and worked in this area before becoming a film star! George Michael Kemp who designed the Scott Monument was found drowned in the canal before the monument was finished and the artist William Bonnar, who was his brother in law, took charge until it was completed.

We finished up at the site of the old meat market, which had also been at one time the canal basin of Port Hamilton. Some people remembered when the meat market was a night club called Fat Sam’s, the same people who remembered the Tartan Club at the brewery site. Some people have long memories. (Chairman’s note – it was the Americana discotheque before becoming Fat Sam’s American eating emporium.)

Our thanks to Helen and Karen again for a very interesting walk.

Strollers Walks 2019

Here are the provisional dates for your diaries:-

Date	Day	No	Where	Leader
17 January	Thursday	237	Historic Walk –  FountainBridge	Karen MacCormick
19 February	Tuesday	238	Historic Walk –   Linlithgow	Karen MacCormick
20 March	Wednesday	239
18 April	Thursday	240	Cramond – Iron  Mills	Ian Kirkpatrick
21 May	Tuesday	241	Tweedbank and Melrose area	Alistair Buchanan
19 June	Wednesday	242
16 July	Tuesday	243
15 August	Thursday	244
24 September	Tuesday	245
16 October	Wednesday	246
14 November	Thursday	247
5  December	Thursday	248	Christmas Lunch	Drew Young

Strollers Walk number 236 - The Christmas Lunch

The December walk was held in the Royal Scots Club in Abercromby Place and a very nice lunch was had by all.

Our thanks to Mr Jim Cooper for piping the Strollers into lunch and also to the Strollers Performers for entertaining the lunchers with their songs commemorating the First World War, the founding of the RAF and the NHS.  

All the best for Christmas and the New Year and we look forward to seeing you on the coming walks in 2019.  

Chairman's note - thanks for including we in one of your songs. Sadly, I was on a train to London that day so didn't hear it. I am touched that you thought of me. 

Strollers Walk 235 from Haymarket to Davidsons Mains

On a hot and balmy sunny day (yes this was the November walk!) forty eight Strollers caused pedestrian chaos at Haymarket Station to meet up for the walk to Davidsons Mains. It must have been the mention of a pub at the end of the walk or the Greggs next door to it which appealed or just to say that they had been on a walk so that they could come to the Strollers Lunch!  

Following the tram lines, and trying hard not to get anyone run over, we set off to join up with the railway footpath which ran parallel to the railway line. It was originally constructed during 1853 by the Caledonian Railway however it lay disused for more than a century and the trains ran along what is now the Western Approach Road to the Caley Station. The line was finally commissioned during September 1964 by British Rail who then closed the Caley Station. 

Joining the footpath at Roseburn we crossed the Water of Leith and wandered down past Ravelston and Craigleith whilst the Strollers tried to work out where they were and also to catch up with the front markers who were taking the word ‘strolling’ to a new level.  

Strangely at Craigleith, no one seemed keen to leave and go for a bit of retail therapy at the shopping centre. It’s based in the old quarry which supplied a lot of the stone for the New Town. We passed under the bridges at Drylaw with some very impressive graffiti artwork on them which may have been done as part of the Graffiti festival held in Leith in September 2018.  

Pretty soon, quicker than walk estimate, Davidson's Mains came into view. It was possibly named after William Davidson, a wealthy merchant, who bought the Muirhouse area, in 1776. Prior to the 19th century it was known as Muttonhole. Wouldn’t it have been good if they had kept that name? 

Stopping at the top of Silverknowes to point out the closest pubs and cafes, it was amazing how quickly 48 Strollers can disappear at the mere mention of food and drink.  

Our thanks to our leader Drew, for arranging and getting the weather to go with it.

Strollers Walk number 234 from Penicuik to Roslin

It must have been the mention of Greggs as a meeting place which attracted thirty three Strollers to the walk from Penicuik to Roslin! 

The forecast was good but it did start to rain as we set off along the old railway line, which caused a few comments to today’s organiser as he had told his wife not to bother taking her rain jacket! Luckily it didn’t last long and the sun came out highlighting the golden Autumn leaves on the trees bordering the walk. 

The path went through new housing estates which were just being started when the walk had last been done in 2008. Some of the buildings had been built in the style of the old paper mills that used to stand on the banks of the Esk. Leaving the railway line a series of wide gradual steps took us down to a bridge in Roslin Glen Nature Park. As recently as 2014 there used to be a weir here, which Colm had a picture of, but it fell into disrepair and collapsed. It was built to channel the water into the adjacent old gunpowder mill. We stopped here for lunch as there were some seats and a picnic table. 

Some Strollers went down to investigate the mill ruins while the rest of us stuck to the path and read the information board which told us about the scale and size of the mills. Built in 1804 to supply powder for the Napoleonic war, the mills continued production until 1954. They supplied the mining and quarrying industries as well as munitions used in a number of wars, including the Crimean, Boer and First and Second World Wars. The council took over the area from the Forestry Commission in 1970 when they demolished the buildings for safety reasons and incorporated it into the Roslin Glen Nature Park. 

Crossing the road into the main part of the park at the lower section of Roslin Glen took us to an area known as ’Bleachfields where, in 1719, Robert Neilson started bleaching. It is believed that goods made in Dunfermline bearing the Royal Arms for Queen Victoria were bleached there.  

Having come down into the Glen it was now time to go back up some 20 odd steps to Rosslyn Castle where the more adventurous went under the castle for a better look from the other side.  

The rest of us made our way up to the car park and the non-car Strollers were just in time to catch the bus back to Edinburgh. It’s all about timing.  

Look forward to seeing you on the next walk. 

Strollers Walk number 233 - Pencaitland

Nine hardy Strollers ignored the doom and gloom of the weather forecast and made their way to Pencaitland for a circular walk. Never trust a weather forecast as it was warm and bright and we had the feeling of being overdressed for the conditions.

More surprisingly, given the overnight and early morning rain, the path was dry underfoot. No repetition of muddy ‘Moira’ today.

We were walking the route called the Hamilton Hike round the Winton Estate, where the Strollers had once gone for Christmas Lunch transported on an LRT double decker bus!

Our starting point was at the Sinclair Bridge in the centre of the village following the Ormiston Express train route, which has been decommissioned and gives respite along with the Walkers Roost Box. This is basically a wooden seat made to resemble a train! Passing another walking group coming the other way, we crossed the river by Kingfisher Bridge and went along the edge of a small wood and pond, till we met up with the old Ormiston to Pencaitland Railway line. We then followed it until it met the junction for the Macmerry Line. Our guide was a bit hazy at this point as we had a choice of 3 ways to go, but luckily a ‘local’ set us on the right ‘tracks’ and we set off again along the Hamilton Hike. 

We stopped for a short time to enjoy a break and some lunch, partly because we realised that we weren’t where we should be on the Hamilton Hike but were following the walk that had been scouted!  Following the path back to the entrance to Winton House we then got back on the right path and then met the group of walkers doing the route the other way that we had met earlier.

The walking route was nice and easy and one we will revisit at a later date hopefully when the forecast is better.

Our thanks to Ronnie for arranging and getting the weather to go with it.

Look forward to seeing you on the next walk. 

Outing to Carlisle and Carlisle Castle on 23 August

Our fourth outing of the year was on 23 August.

61 of us left an overcast Edinburgh a bit late, as someone was held up due to their train being delayed. By the time we were in the Borders, it was drizzling.  Our coffee stop was at a very busy Woollen Mill in Moffat.  When we reached Carlisle, the heavens opened and it poured, however by the time we found the car park for the Castle it wasn't too bad but there was an uphill walk to the Castle and its entrance.

Our party was split into two groups. The first going immediately on the tour and the second either going for coffee at the cafe in the Castle or going into the centre of town which was about 5 minutes’ walk away.  We were in luck as there was a market on that day.

We then switched over. Unfortunately we had to wait in a blustery wind for the 1st group to finish. A very interesting place and we needed more time to see everything. We then had a long walk back to the bus which took some people with walking difficulties a while. An interesting fact our guide was Scottish and he made the comment that the English had entrusted the Keys of the Castle to him!

It was then time to make our way to the Dryfesdale Hotel outside Lockerbie up a very narrow tree lined road - just as well there was nothing coming the other way as there were no passing places! We had to phone to say were going to be late but that did not detract from a lovely high tea in pleasant surroundings.

We were obviously late in getting back so some did not manage to be dropped off nearer their homes as Douglas Austin had brought a car up from the Borders to Waterloo Place for the driver and he took the bus away.

Outing to Deanston Distillery and Callander on 24 September

The final outing of 2018 was attended by 31 and so we had a smaller bus. As our driver has been doing guided tours he gave us some very interesting facts and kept us entertained all day. The weather was lovely and sunny most for of the day. 

 Our coffee stop was at Dobbies Stirling and on this outing we had plenty time to do some shopping.

We then had a short drive through the countryside and up a narrow road to the Distillery, which looked like a mill. We found out later that it was originally a cotton mill!

On arrival, we were split into two groups with a 10 minute gap between us setting off. The tour began with watching a video on the history of the mill and distillery before we were taken round by a very informative and enthusiastic young lady. I believe the other lady was also very good.

After the tour we were given two different samples to taste. As there were a few of the ladies who don't drink, I do believe some of the gentlemen on the tour had a lot more to drink! Our treasurer even managed to get samples for the driver to take home with him.  Well, if you don't ask you don't get!

There was time to purchase some goodies, although we’re not sure if anyone availed themselves of the £5 discount on a bottle of whisky before we were on our way to Callendar with time for lunch and more shopping.

High tea was at the King Robert Hotel Stirling and those who were on the Bannockburn outing recognised where it was, the name was the giveaway - yes it was right next door to Bannockburn.

I think a lovely meal was had by all (well no one seemed to complain) and the service was excellent.  All too soon it was time to return to Edinburgh and once again the bus was being picked up by Douglas so there were no local drop offs! 

A good finale to our 2018 summer outings. We'll have to wait to see where 2019 will take us.

Outing to the Borders show at Kelso on 27 July

Fifty five of us set off on sunny Friday 27th July to visit the Borders show at Kelso.

Our first stop was at Carfraemill for tea or coffee and scones, very enjoyable. Joan passed out all the tickets and we then headed to Kelso and the show.

We had loads of time to wander around and to sample the many "freebies" available. Word has it that the gin and cheese stalls were well supported!! There was plenty to see and do. Some of us managed to sit in the sun whilst watching the show jumping. It was such a beautiful day and a very worthwhile visit.

After the show we headed to the Kingsknowes Hotel in Galashiels for a lovely high tea, despite the excessive heat in the restaurant, think we picked one of the hottest days of our summer. Everyone was happy to make our way home in our lovely air conditioned coach.

Strollers Walk number 232 - Earlston

Nineteen Strollers met in Earlston for a walk around and up Black Hill (1,030 feet). On the top you can still trace the concentric rings of the British fort for which it was named. It is also said to be possible to make out the remains of the cave-dwellings of the Votadini, the tribal confederation in this part of Scotland.

We didn’t quite start at the usual 11.00 as some Strollers experienced slight scheduling problems with the coffee shop and the eternal question of ‘how long does it take to pour a coffee and make a bacon butty?’ Obviously a long time when there is only one person serving. 

It was time to walk up Speedy’s path to Cowdenknowes Mains and then follow the sign round to Black Hill.  No one seemed up for the old Doris Day song as the hill seemed a lot steeper than was suggested and people were too busy trying to breathe. It was also a bit worrying that the buzzards kept circling above us as we walked! The views however got better as we climbed up the hill.

Reaching a spot for a lunch break the ‘fitter’ Strollers continued to the top of the hill and the magnificent views of the borders. Looking north down on Earlston; to the south-east Ruberslaw (Denholm); to the south Peniel Heugh (Ancrum) and to the south-west, the Eildon Hills at Melrose, with the Big Cheviot and the hills around Peebles in the distance. In total a view of around 1,200 square miles of The Borders. As well as being able to see the rain clouds in the distance! Would we beat them down?

Next we headed back down and followed the path through the farm and down the road to the new High School then back to Earlston. And, yes, our leader Moira lived up to her nickname of ‘Muddy’ as the path at the end of the walk had turned into a swimming pool in sections. We knew it had been too good up till then.

In Earlston, it was time to thank ‘Muddy’ Moira for a very energetic walk, but worth it for the views, and head off for a tea/coffee but avoiding the coffee shop from the morning.

Look forward to seeing you on the next walk. 

Strollers Walk number 231 Longniddry to Haddington

Sixteen Strollers met at Longniddry station to walk along the old railway line to Haddington. This was a good place to meet as it gave the option of travel by train, bus or car to get to the start of the walk.

Longniddry lays claims to being where the first meeting of the Scottish Women's Rural Institute took place organised by Catherine Hogg Blair in 1917 as well as home for a time to John Knox, and Pierce Brosnan.

It was a dullish start to the walk but it was a warm day and in the enclosed surroundings of the railway line it was a relief to be out of the sun. As we walked we should have seen views of Redhouse Castle, a 15th century tower house, as well as Hopetoun Monument on top of Byres Hill, dedicated to John Hope, the 4th Earl of Hopetoun (1765-1823). With the growth of trees and bushes there wasn’t much to see.

Our leader almost passed the stopping place for lunch but luckily others pointed it out to him. It started to rain after a short break so we decided to keep moving and then met a group of riders who couldn’t pass until brollies were put down as the first horse was very nervous of the shape of them. We then only had to contend with groups of cyclist who all seemed to appear at one time. Obviously rush hour traffic between Longniddry and Haddington.

As we approached Haddington, there were signs of a lot of new house building going on.  It may be this disruption that caused our leader to lose his sense of direction and take us straight to the main road to get into Haddington rather than along the nice quiet path. We had time for people to grab a snack or meal before catching buses back to Edinburgh.

Thanks to Ronnie for leading the walk and trying not to lose us too many times!

Death of a pensioner

I'm sad to let you all know that one of our number passed away recently.

Pete McPherson (of RF and other pensions' departments) died in South Queensferry. His funeral was on earlier this month.

Pete was the second in charge in the department I first worked in and he was a real character. Just before I retired, HR found the photo he'd taken of me in 1978 in my personnel file. 

I'll always remember him as our eccentric photographer. 

Strollers Walk number 230 - Crossing the Forth Road Bridge, North Queensferry and part of the Fife Coastal Trail

Twenty four Strollers met at South Queensferry to cross the Forth Road Bridge and do part of the Fife Coastal Trail to Inverkeithing. Some had a slightly longer walk to the starting point as the bus driver let them off at the wrong stop.

Given the overnight rain, conditions were actually ideal for going across the bridge - not much wind, not too hot and no rain. With only buses and taxis allowed to use the bridge, it was nice and peaceful though you could still hear a hum of noise from the new road bridge. The views were worth crossing for as was the sight of three maintenance men above our heads showing the Strollers the alternative route back!

It was then down the steps into North Queensferry where the ferry from South Queensferry used to dock pre bridge days. Onto the Fife Coastal trail where part of the path has been nicely laid in brick and stone sets. We stopped at one of the many quarried sites for a quick bite to eat and rest and to admire the house that had been built at the top of the quarry. Stone from these quarries was used to build the docks in Leith and Liverpool as well as the pavements of London.  Pressing on down to the water’s edge, we looked out to sea at the marker buoy where the seals were sleeping. We then passed the plaque for Lieutenant George Paton who was killed protecting his men from a grenade during a training exercise here in the First World War and then continued on to Inverkeithing passing the site where the breaker’s yard used to be that broke up ships like the Mauretania. There is still a metal recycling plant there now which breaks up metal into tiny bits and exports almost 200,000 tonnes a year. 

We finished near the Ferrytoll Park and Ride for some to get the bus back across the bridge and others to go off into Inverkeithing for a spot of lunch.

Outing to Bannockburn on 12 June

45 pensioners left Edinburgh slightly later than usual on an overcast morning and were delayed by the Taxi Drivers’ kids’ outing. The kids had great fun spraying the bus with water and throwing water bombs at it. As we had the big bus it was the driver and the ones sitting at the front who got the worst of it. 

On the way to the coffee stop at the MacKinnon Mills, we had a little rain but after that the weather cleared and we had sunshine for the rest of the time.  It turned out we could have had more time to shop but on the plus side, we saved some money!   

As we were too early for Bannockburn our driver took us for a drive to Stirling to see the castle and put us in the mood for Bannockburn.

At Bannockburn we were split into two groups, the first to do the experience and the other to enjoy the sun, eat more food, shop or visit the monument in the grounds.

Part of the experience was to re-enact the battle. The English won in the first group but the Scots prevailed in the second although it was a bit bloody as we managed to kill off a lot more Scots than in the original battle!  

As the battles took longer than we had anticipated we did not have as long at the Kelpies as some would have liked before we went for a very enjoyable High Tea at the Grange Manor, Grangemouth.

We were even told by the staff where to find doggy bags so we could take home the scones etc. that were left!

Strollers Walk number 229 Peebles to Innerleithen

Peebles to Innerleithen is a walk we’ve done before but as it is flat, difficult to get lost on and as there are plenty of places for coffee, it was a good choice since Eleanor was leading it while Drew was slogging his way round golf courses up north and other regular leaders were not available.

14 Strollers gathered on a slightly chilly and dull morning in the car park at Peebles. We set off past the grounds in front of Peebles Hydro where some very nice new homes have been built and it was great to see they are very much in keeping with existing properties (other Councils could learn a thing or two).

Turning left up Janet's Brae we soon came to the underpass and got onto the quiet pathway built by Sustrans along the old railway line. The hoped for sunshine never broke through but it was a good temperature for walking.

The point for anyone wishing to cut the walk short at Glentress was missed by the leader as she was too busy chatting but it was not too far to Cardrona where two Strollers called it a day.

Lunch, if required, was eaten “on the hoof” as the majority decided it was a tad cool to sit down to eat so, after a few minutes rest at Cardrona, we continued on towards Innerleithen.

Along the way we passed an orchard of fruit trees which Jack Dodds told us was part of the Scottish National Collection.

                .

On arrival at Innerleithen, the group dispersed to get food etc. with many getting the bus back to Peebles.