PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
For 2013
 

This page contains details of events that we hope will be of interest. Please put the dates in your diary and join us if you can – you will be most welcome.

Details of events up to Autumn of this year are given in detail below and dates are shown for the remainder of the year. Full details of events during the second half of 2013 will be issued in the summer. Please put the dates in your diary and join us if you can – you will be most welcome. Friends of members are welcome on all walks but members are responsible for passing on information about the walks to their friends.

We have graded walks as leisurely, moderate or strenuous. Leisurely walks are for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience and may include unsurfaced rural paths. Moderate walks are for people with a good level of fitness and country walking experience and may include some steep paths and open country. Strenuous walks are for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level. They may include hills and rough country.

Grades are provided as a general guide only. If you have doubts about your ability to cope with a particular walk please contact Fiona Black, the walks organiser, contact details below. Bear in mind that the distance, terrain and weather can affect the difficulty of a walk. Walking boots and appropriate clothing are required for all walks and food and drink are normally necessary. Individuals booking for walks will receive additional information from the walks organiser before the event.

We recommend that walkers, especially those who live on their own, carry emergency contact details on their person during walks. Please note that the Organisation carries public liability insurance and limited personal accident cover. The latter is only available to members of the Organisation, ie it excludes friends of members. Should individuals require clarification of that position they are invited to contact the Secretary.

Well-behaved dogs are normally welcome on walks, (not at badger watches), but must be kept on leads during the lambing and tupping seasons.

Bookings for walks must be made with Fiona Black – home: 0131 339 6644 or at fionab23@yahoo.co.uk Please note the arrangements for the shorter walk on Sat 12 Jan 2013 and the short pre-BBQ walk on Friday 21 June.
 

Thur 9 May   Cardiac Health Walks. This event has been arranged with the Astley Ainslie Hospital and short walks will be based on the Harlaw Visitor Centre. For further information please contact the organizer, David Pritchard 0131 667 8436 or thedavidpritchard@hotmail.com

Wed 15 May The AGM will be held at Merchiston Castle School starting at 7.30 pm. After business has been completed there will be a talk by Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust, about the Trust’s work.

Sat 25 May   Walk – Portmore Loch and the Northshield Rings. Fiona Black will lead a moderate circular 5 mile walk, with a climb of about 1200 feet, from Eddlestone via Boreland, Portmore Loch, Dam, Northshield Rings Portmore House and Old road back to Eddlestone.. About 3.5 hours. Meet at the Scots Pine Tearoom at Eddlestone at 10.15 am. The start point for the walk will be the quiet road beside the tearoom at 11.00 am.

Thur 30 May / Fri 31 May
Access for All Event. Following the success of last year’s event for people with disabilities we are holding a similar event in 2013 on these days based at the Harlaw Visitor Centre commencing at 10.00 am. For further details please contact the organizer, Phil Rowsby 0131 447 0306 mob. 07837 924 856 or accesseventpentlands@gmail.com or click here for further information and a the booking form.

Fri 14 Jun     Cardiac Health Walks. Please see Thur 9 May, above, for details.

Sat 15 Jun    Teas and Cakes day at the Harlaw Visitor Centre from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event, no need to book.

Fri 21 Jun     The annual BBQ will be held at the Swanston Golf Club starting at 7.30 pm. A BBQ style buffet will be provided by the golf club. Tickets cost £12.50 and must be purchased in advance by Wed 19 Jun from Averil Sutherland, 14 Craiglockhart Drive North, EH14 1HT. Tel: 0131 443 1925. Members are encouraged to bring their friends to the BBQ.
John Surtees will lead a leisurely short walk of about 3 miles prior to the BBQ starting at 6.00 pm from the walker`s car park at Swanston. The route will be via Swanston, White Hill, Hillend and Lothianburn.  Bookings for this walk must be made with John Surtees 0131 445 4623 or john.surtees@blueyonder.co.uk
It is not necessary to participate in the walk prior to enjoying the BBQ!

Jul / Aug        We are hoping, again, to arrange a series of badger watch evenings in 2013 – further details later.

Sat 7 Sep     Walk – Skirting the hills around Threipmuir Reservoir. Fiona Black will lead a moderate+ 7 mile circular walk around Threipmuir Reservoir and skirting the adjoining hills with a climb of about 1200 feet. From Red Moss via Bavelaw Castle, west side of Hare Hill, Logan Burn, Green Cleuch, north side of Black Hill, Black Springs, Threipmuir Reservoir. About 4 hours. Meet at the Red Moss Car Park at 10.15 am. Start point, same as meeting point, 10.30 am. There may be an opportunity to extend the walk (1.5 miles) to call at the Harlaw Visitor Centre for Teas & Cakes (or afterwards if this is not possible)

Sat 7 Sep     Teas & Cakes day at Harlaw Visitor Centre from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event, no need to book.

Sun 13 Oct    Autumn Walk – details later.

Sat 2 Nov      Teas & Cakes day at Harlaw Visitor Centre from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event, no need to book.

Thu 7 Nov     Talk at Merchiston Castle School – details later.

Sat 7 Dec       Winter Walk – details later.