To-day saw us head off for the first walk of 2010. Originally we were to do a walk of 7.8 miles from Glenhead to Muirton, near Gleneagles. Unfortunately, the conditions were not favourable because of the amount of snow that has fallen in the area, so our route was changed.
So we headed for Dunblane to do a 7.5 mile walk called The Darn Road. After walking for a short time we hit a downhill section that was very badly affected by ice, it became very dangerous to walk on, with three people falling.
After the leaders consulted the map, they decided to change the route and hopefully attempt a safer one ,this worked out for us, but the walk was only 5 miles long.
Dispite the walk being only 5 mile it was still quite a challenge walking in such snowy conditions.
The walk turned out to be very good with fantastic views over the snow covered countryside of Perthshire.
When the walk was completed we headed to the Blackford Hotel for a meal before heading home to East Kilbride.
GOOD DAY OUT, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMPANY TODAY.

This months walk took us to Granthouse in East Lothian, not far from the Scottish English border. We had been told by those who reccied the walk that it had a fantastic finish with stunning views of the coast. Unfortunately for us today the weather was atrocious, so we didn't see the great views, some areas had severe weather warnings.
We had very very heavy rain, during our day out today, the walk was also shortened as a safety measure incase of any problems while walking on the coastal route.
We started our day with morning coffee at the Cedar Cafe just of the A1 road, from there we travelled to Granthouse where we started our walk . Walking up over farm land eventually coming to Penmarsheil Wood we walked through the wood eventually coming onto part of the Southern Upland Way and followed this path to Tower Farm where our walk finished. A very welcome sight greeted us, our coach was there waiting to transport us to East Linton where we had a very welcome social stop and for some a wee dram to warm themselves up.
So today we walked just over 5 miles in horrendous conditions, but it was still nice to be out in the fresh air, feeling the rain and wind beating on your face.
As you will note from the happy faces at our social stop, the weather certainly has not put a stop to us enjoying ouselves. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMPANY TODAY.

Our walk this month was a 7 mile walk in the Perthshire hills.
We travelled by coach from East Kilbride to Birnham near Dunkeld, here we had our morning coffee stop at the Beatrix Potter Centre before we again boarded the coach to travel to our start point not far from the village of Butterstone.
We started the walk and immediately climbed steeply to the top of the hills overlooking |Butterstone Loch, Loch of Lowes and Loch Craiglush. While standing on the hills overlooking the lochs our leader told us of the story about Jack the Lad, Lucious Lucy and the Tiddler, The story was about fishing, and about how women make the best anglers.
We decended the hills to reach the lovely little village of Butterstone, from here we walked until we reached Loch of Lowes, we then walked along the road by the lochside towards Fungarth and on until we reached our destination at Dunkeld. Our social stop was in Dunkeld before we started our journey home to East Kilbride.

Our weather today was very warm but overcast, as we climbed the hills there was very light rain, this became heavier during our lunch stop and continued for most of the walk to Dunkeld. Very enjoyable day out.
THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR COMPANY TODAY.

A lovely walk just over 7.5 miles. To-days walk took us to the town of Langholm which sits on the border of Scotland & England.
Our walk started in the town and took us up through the woods onto open moorlands to reach Broomholmshiels where we turned onto the road. We continued on the road taking in lovely views of the hills to the front of us and the woods to each side of us. Coming to the bridge we crossed Tarras Water and carried on up the hill to just before Perterburn farm where we stopped for our lunch break.
After lunch we headed for the ford at Perterburn Farm to again cross Tarras Water and head up again on to the moorland, crossing Charlie's Moss to head for Whitta Hill.
On reaching the path to Whitta Hill we spent some time viewing the Memorial to Hugh McDermid the poet, before we started the climb to the top of the hill and Malcolm's Monument.
After a short break to view the monument and surrounding countryside, we headed down the steep path back to Langholm.
Our morning and afternoon stops were at Gretna Green.

Thanks to everyone for their company today.

A 7 mile walk in the Cairngorms National Park.
An earlier start today, we departed at 8a.m., unfortunately we were caught up in traffic jams for a while. We headed to the Angus Hotel in Blairgowrie for our morning break, great filled rolls and hot tea.
We once again boarded the bus for our journey to Braemar and had a quick comfort stop before heading to Linn of Dee and the start of our walk.
Leaving the Linn of Dee we took the path to Glen Lui, we headed through the forest to Lui Water where we crossed the Black Bridge and carried on up the side of the Water in Glen Lui.
We left the Glen Lui path to start our climb up to Clais Fhearnaig pass, we walked along the pass by the side of the lochan until we came out of the pass to great views of the Cairngorm mountains in front of us, some of the mountains still had some snow on them. We continued on the path walking down into Glen Quoich where we stopped for our lunch break.

After lunch we took the path along the side of Quoich Water, we crossed the water to the north side and continued on the path until we reach the Linn of Quoich and The Punch Bowl ( area in the rock where the water over many many years has caused erosion in the rock and caused a hole to form.) After a short shop at the Linn of Quoich we carried on for a short distance to where our coach waited for us.
Once we had changed out of our walking gear, we headed to the Bridge of Cally Hotel for our very well earned meal before heading home to East Kilbride.
Alan and I have done this walk before,and thought it was a great walk and I certainly have not altered my opinion.
Great day out, even if it did rain most of the day, it wasn't enough to put us off.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMPANY.

This months walk took us to the Aberfeldy area of Perthshire. We travelled by coach to the Dewers Whisky Distillery at Aberfeldy for our morning coffee stop.
After our coffee stop we travelled into the Perthshire Hills where our walk started just after we passed Loch Craige.
The walk today was 7.5 miles, the weather was dry and sunny but slightly overcast at times and very warm. Our walk took us into woodlands and over moors with fine views of Schiehallion in the distance.
After the walk ended we travelled down through Aberfeldy over the River Tay on General Wade's Bridge to the Ailean Chraggan Hotel for our social stop.
A fine days walking.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMPANY TODAY.

We started our day by travelling from East Kilbride to The Souter Johnnie Inn in the lovely little village of Kirkoswald in Ayrshire. Here we had our morning coffee stop at the Inn which was really lovely, great service, scones and surroundings.
We then travelled to the entrance to Culzean Castle grounds where our walk started. We walked along the edge of Mochrum Wood up onto the lower hill, where we had some lovely views of the Ayrshire coast. After the wood we walked up onto the moor and across the old firing range travelling the path of the Carrick Way, this gave us some great views looking back over the countryside.
After lunch we carried on until we came to a woodland area, we walked through this until we came out of the wood just above Dunduff, this gave us panoramic views of the Ayrshire coast, Arran and the Holy Isle. We carried on our walk to just before Dunure where our bus was parked.
Our social stop was held in the Beer garden of the Dunure Inn, a very relaxing venue, lovely warm weather and good company.
Great walk today, 8.14miles in length, lovely warm weather with a slight breeze, perfect walking weather.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMPANY TODAY.

Today is a 6 mile walk near Kenmore in Perthshire.
Alan and I were lucky as we are having a 4 night break in Perth, we didn't have to travel very far to meet the walkers, we met them at the Dewer Distillery at Aberfeldy, a favouite coffee stop for the club.
We then travelled on to just outside Kenmore where our walk took us up onto the Braes of Taymouth and along the braes to the Falls of Acharn. As we walk along we had great views of Taymouth Castle, Loch Tay, Ben Lawers and Kenmore.
We were very lucky with the weather today, as it was very warm and sunny, lovely conditions.
Our walk finished at Kenmore where we had our social stop at the Kenmore Hotel on the banks of the River Tay.

Thanks to everyone for their company today.

Today our walk took us to the start of the Ayrshire Costal Path at Glen App, where we would start our 9 mile walk costal walk to Ballantrae.
We travelled by coach from East Kilbride to Woodland farm where we had our morning coffee stop. After our stop we travelled to Glen App where we would start our walk.
On starting our walk we immediately walked up onto the moorland and the cliff path where we had great views of Loch Ryan and Ailsa Craig and the Irish Ferries coming and going in and out of Loch Ryan.
Our weather today was very changeable, from very bright sunny weather to very heavy rain and hail, and at times very windy, but as usual we were well dressed for all types of weaather and took it in our stride.
While walking along the path high up on the cliffs, we could see great views of the wild windy sea with some fantastic displays of the waves hitting off the rocks .
Our lunch stop was in a lovely sheltered area with great views of the waves crashing the rocks.
Sometimes the walking was quite hard going, due to the wind , rain and some longer grass.
We carried on our walk until we reached the Kings Arms Hotel at Ballantrae, here we had our social stop plus an evening meal.
After our meal we had further celebrations, as a birthday cake was carried into the dining room for us all to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the start of our walking club. Present today were the four founder members who went on the clubs first walk to Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, They were Gillian Souter, Jennifer Paterson, Jean Marzella and Margaret Lachlan, each member was presented with a bottle of Bubbly.
Our outgoing route convener and chairman Bob and his wife Myra also received a presentation for 10years service to the club. A great days walking, plus a lovely meal, and a lovely celebration to finish the day.
Good luck to the club and all it's members, here's hoping it will continue for another 10 years.
Thanks to everyone for their company today and for making the day and the club such a success.

To-day our walk is a seven mile walk at Moffat in the Scottish Borders countryside.
Our day started with the usual coach journey, this time our morning coffee stop was at The Moffat Golf Club, very nice venue.
We then headed off on our walk in very dull overcast, misty and at times wet conditions, unfortunately a lot of the great views were hidden from us to-day due to the weather conditions, but we still had some lovely views.
Our walk today was a great, almost circular walk around the hills and countryside surrounding the border town of Moffat. A really good walk, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Our soscial stop was at the town itself, everyone was free to do whatever they wished during the break before heading back to the coach for our journey home.
Another great walk, thanks to everyone for their company to-day.

Today our walk took us again to the hills of Perthshire.
Leaving East Kilbride, we travelled by coach to the Stewart Crystal Factory at Crieff in Perthshire, here we had our morning coffee and scones. After our coffee we headed to the Sma Glen where our walk was.
Today the walk was to be just over seven miles, but because of very wet and muddy conditions underfoot it was shortened to just over five miles.
Our weather today was wet and very misty with very low level mist at times and at times very warm, not a great day for good views, but still lovely to be out and walking.
After we completed our walk our social stop was held at the Famour Grouse Whisky Distillery just outside of Crieff, our day ended with our journey home to East Kilbride.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THEIR COMPANY TODAY.

We seldom cancel walks in the Midweek Club, but unfortunately due to terrible weather conditions this year that is just what we had to do.
Here is a few shots of the weather conditions in the area the group would have been walking in on the 30th of November.
After being stranded in Perth for 2 nights due to the weather conditions, we headed home on Tuesday the 30th, the photos are taken on that journey home, the day we would have been walking.

Our Christmas Walk this year took us into the heart of Ayrshire for our 6 mile hike.
Our day started with the usual bus journey to our morning coffee stop, this time at the Auchinleck Indoor Bowling Club where we had a lovely morning coffee break .
We then headed to Glen Afton where we did our six mile walk into the Glen and round the Afton Reservoir.
We were very lucky with the weather, for although it was very cold we had some much needed sunshine, making the colours of the landscape and the water from the reservoir look really beautiful.
Our walk completed, we headed for the Lochside Hotel for a well deserved Christmas Dinner.
Thanks to everyone for your company today, and hope everyone has a Very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year