PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR 2008

This page contains details of events that we hope will be of interest.

Below is an outline programme for 2008, last updated in July

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on walks, other than at the walk on 26 April or at the badger watches, but must be kept on leads during the lambing season.

May

Tue 6 May 7.30 pm

                        AGM at Merchiston Castle School. Following the completion of business a representative of Historic Scotland will give a short illustrated talk. No need to book.

Sun 25 May    Circular Walk from Threipmuir taking in Bavelaw, Green Cleuch, Loganlee and Glencorse reservoirs Maiden’s Cleugh and Harlaw. 10 miles, about 4½ hours. Friends of members welcome but places must be booked in advance with the walk leader, Mike White, on 0131 447 2825 or at hillcroft@zoom.co.uk

June

Fri 13 Jun     A short midsummer’s evening walk from Hillend followed by a BBQ at Café 365 at Hillend with music by the Penicuik Silver Band. Members may bring friends but places, with payment of £7.50 per head, must be booked in advance. Payment should be made by 4 June to Mrs Averil Sutherland, 14 Craiglockhart Drive North, Edinburgh EH14 1HT . Late bookings must be cleared with Mr John Stirling by telephone or email, see contact details above. Walkers to meet at Café 365 at 6.00 pm while those coming for the BBQ should join at 7.30 pm.

Sun 29 Jun   ‘Teas & Cakes’ day at Harlaw, starting at 11.00 am combined with a local walk. Open event, no need to book.

August / September

                        We will be offering a series of badger watches thanks to the support of the Edinburgh and Lothians Badger Group. These events are for members only and must be booked in advance with John Stirling, on 0131 449 3456 or at j.stirling@btinternet.com  Early booking is recommended. No dogs at badger watches.

September

Sat 6 Sept      Walk from Hillend to Castlelaw. This will allow members to walk the new route from Boghall to Castlelaw which was established by the Friends, with the support of the Regional Park and local landowners, earlier this year. We are delighted with this achievement and wish to have a celebratory ‘opening’. Places must be booked with the walk leader and project co-coordinator, John Surtees, on 0131 445 4623 or at john.surtees@blueyonder.co.uk Members may bring friends but please book them in with the walk leader. There will be an opportunity to start the walk at Hillend, or join in at Boghall, and provision will be made to return walkers to their cars from Flotterstone. (Car sharing is recommended.) Those starting at Hillend should meet at the lower car park at 10.30 am. The route to Boghall is moderate and about 2½ kilometers, say 1 hour. Those joining at Boghall should join the group at 11.30 am. The remainder of the route is also moderate and about 3½ kilometers, say 2 hours leaving time for a picnic lunch at Castlelaw, weather permitting. After the walk there will be an opportunity to visit the Flotterstone Inn.

October

Sun 26 Oct    ‘Teas & Cakes’ day at Harlaw starting at 11.00 am plus local walks. Open event, no need to book.

November

Thu 13 Nov 7:30pm

                       Talk at Merchiston Castle School with a speaker from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. The Trust is an Associate Member of the Society and does great conservation and educational work right on our door step. This will be an interesting illustrated talk by a like-minded group. Open event, no need to book and friends of members welcome.

December

Sat 6 Dec      Winter walk – Meet at the Carlops car park in the middle of the village at 11.00 am. Enjoy a fairly strenuous 5 mile circuit via Spittal Farm and North Esk Reservoir before returning to Carlops via Fairliehope. About 3½ hours, including time for a picnic lunch. Afterwards walkers might like to visit the Allan Ramsay Inn in Carlops which has associations with Allan Ramsay’s pastoral drama The Gentle Shepherd, published in 1725. Members friends are welcome but places must be booked with the walk leader, John Stirling – see above for contact details.

Dates for your Diary - 2009

Sat 17 Jan    Winter Warmer Walk followed by mince pies and mulled wine at Harlaw

Wed 11 Feb  Talk at Carlops Village Hall starting at 7.30 pm

Sat 14 Mar    Spring Walk