PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
For 2010

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.

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 John
Surtees, 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 that live on
their own, carry emergency contact details on their person during walks. Please
note that while the Society carries civil liability insurance that cover does
not include personal accident cover which remains a personal responsibility.
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 John Surtees – home:
0131 445 4623; mobile: 07948563691 or at
john.surtees@blueyonder.co.uk
Places on badger watches must be booked with John Stirling, see contact details
on programme entry below.
Sat 16 Jan Walk 1A
and 1B ‘Winter Warmer Walks’ ending at Harlaw for mulled wine and mince
pies.
Route 1A Harlaw, Black Springs,
Green Cleugh, Bavelaw, Threipmuir and Harlaw. A moderate 6 mile circuit with a
climb of 700 ft, about 3 hours and lead by John Surtees. Meet at Harlaw at noon.
Route 1B a leisurely, 2 mile
circuit of Harlaw Reservoir, about an hour and lead by Linda Stirling. Meet at
Harlaw at 2.00 pm.
Friends of members are welcome on
both walks but must be booked in. Members who just want to enjoy the mulled wine
and mince pies at Harlaw are equally welcome but must book in to help the
catering arrangements. A ‘begging bowl’ will be in use to help defray costs.
Wed 10 Feb Talk at
Carlops Village Centre starting at 7.30 pm. Mr Stuart MacPherson,
Biodiversity Project Officer for East Lothian Council, will give a talk entitled
The Ups and Downs of Countryside Management. This is an open event, no
need to book and friends of members are welcome. Tea, coffee and biscuits will
be available after the talk and the ‘begging bowl’ will be in use to help defray
costs. Parking is limited in Carlops so car sharing is recommended.
Sun 14 Mar Walk 2 –
Spring Walk. David Pritchard will lead a moderate, 6 mile circular walk
involving a climb of about 1,000 feet, about 3 hours. Meet at the Boghall car
park at 11.00 am. The route is via Woodhouselee, Castlelaw, south Castlelaw
Hill, Fala Knowe and back to Woodhouselee. Priority will be given to members but
it may be possible to include members’ friends.
Sat 24 Apr Teas &
Cakes day at Harlaw from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event no need to book.
Tue 4 May AGM
to be held at Merchiston Castle School at 7.30 pm. Business will be followed by
a short illustrated talk. Speaker and subject to be decided.
Sun 23 May Walk 3 –
Early Summer Walk. Michael Jones will lead a moderate, 7 mile circuit with a
climb of about 1,200 feet from Carlops concentrating on natural history with
some local history, about 4 hours. Meet at Carlops village car park at 11.30 am.
From Carlops the route will be via the North Esk Reservoir and the Bore Stane.
Priority will be given to members but it may be possible to include members’
friends.
Wed 9 Jun Walk 4 –
Joint Walk with ScotWays. John Stirling and Neil Ramsay of ScotWays will
lead this walk. This is a strenuous, 11.5 mile linear walk from Kirknewton to
West Linton via Little Vantage and the Cauldstane Slap, about 6 hours. Walkers
will meet at Kirknewton railway station and return from West Linton by bus.
Sat 12 Jun Teas &
Cakes day at Harlaw from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event no need to book.
Fri 18 Jun Walk 5 -
followed by BBQ. John Surtees will lead a leisurely+ circuit of 3 miles with
a climb of 700 feet from Hillend prior to the BBQ, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Meet
at the upper car park at Hillend at 6.00 pm and walk via Lothianburn, Swanston
and White Hill. Friends of members welcome.
BBQ. The annual BBQ will be held at Café 365 at Hillend at 7.30 pm and is an
open event at which friends of members are welcome. Bookings, which must be
accompanied by a payment of £10.00 per head, must be made with Mrs Averil
Sutherland, 14 Craiglockhart Drive North, Edinburgh EH14 1HT. Cheques should be
made payable to ‘The Friends of Pentlands’. The cost includes wine, beer or a
soft drink and musical entertainment. You don’t have to go on the walk to attend
the BBQ!
Jul/Aug Badger
Watches. John Stirling will be arranging a series of evening badger watches.
In the past these have been very popular and our local badgers have been far
from reticent. Places must be booked with John on 0131 449 3456 or at:
j.stirling@btinternet.com Sorry no dogs!
Sun 8 Aug Teas &
Cakes day at Harlaw 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event no need to book.
Sat 14 Aug Walk – details
later
Sat 4 Sep Walk
– details later
Sun 17 Oct Walk
– details later
Sat 23 Oct ‘Teas &
Cakes’ day at Harlaw from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Open event, no need to book.
Thur 11 Nov Talk
at Merchiston Castle School – details later
Sat 4 Dec Winter
Walk – details later