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