Edinburgh Group


Arthur's Seat Arthur’s Seat & Salisbury Crags, Edinburgh - photo by Moira Heywood

We have a full programme of walks, in five different grades ranging from leisurely to strenuous. There is at least one walk of each grade each month.

Not only do we hire our own coach once a month, but also the starts (and ends) of many of our other walks can be reached by public transport.

If transport to the start is by car a "contribution" appears in the description. Most car rambles leave from the north side of St Andrew Square (NStA) or from outside the Portrait Gallery on Queen Street (PGQS).
 We now have a system providing information on forthcoming walks and other appropriate issues by email. This is proving very popular, especially with changes to the advertised walks. If you wish to join our mailing list for this please click here for instructions.

GRADES OF WALKS

D (Stravaiger) and EVENING WALKS: from 4 to 7 km; at a leisurely pace; mainly on level ground; getting to the start mainly by public transport.
C WALKS: easy, mainly on level ground and often on paths and tracks; suitable for beginners; up to 10km.
B WALKS: moderate, demanding higher standard of fitness and stamina than C; up to 15km; no steep ascents or descents; about 3km/hr.
B+ WALKS: between moderate and strenuous, for the reasonably fit; standard grading for higher summits taken at a slower pace in summer conditions; 4km/hr plus 1.5min for every 10m of ascent.
A WALKS: strenuous, for the fit, involving some or all of these factors: on high or rough ground, with steep ascents and descents; 4-5km/hr plus 1 min for every 10m of ascent.
A+ WALKS: severe, arduous walks for the experienced and fit, involving some or all of these factors: on high or rough ground, with exposure, with steep ascents and descents; 5km/hr plus 1min for every 10m of ascent; standard grading for hill-walking in winter conditions.

DOGS: We do not allow dogs on our walks.

If you're planning to go on holiday this year with RamblersHolidays, please follow the link to www.thewalkingpartnership.org.uk with your holiday booking reference number. We as a group are reimbursed a set amount for every holiday booked, as long as you let them know. We still benefit even if you've already booked, but not travelled yet.

WALKS PROGRAMME – April to October 2012

***Advance Notices***
Friday 8 – Sunday 10 June A/B+ Munro & Corbett Weekend to Roybridge Area – if interested please contact organisers ASAP
Saturday 26 May Special Coach to include A, B+, B & C walks – bookings taken from 1 April

Thursday 5 - Sunday 8 April A+ WEEKEND at ACHNASHEEN
Weather permitting walk options include Sgorr Ruadh (14km, 1070m), Maol Chean-dearg (14km, 950m), Beinn Liath Mhor (14km, 1100m) and Maoile Lunndaidh (26km, 1140m). Alternatives will depend on availability of leaders. CSPC £108 plus contributions for journeys whilst away. If interested please contact organiser to see if places still available

Sunday 8 April Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Comrie. NStA 09:00. Cost £10. Book with leader

Saturday 14 April B 14.5km 250m 5hrs
Eddleston to Peebles via Barony Castle, Hare Laws, Stewarton, Mosshouse, Kidston Burn, Hamilton Hill Radio Mast, Jedderfield, Haylodge Park, Peebles. Contact leader for bus details

Saturday 21 April Options for all grades 16km max.
Balerno to Leith walk along the Water of Leith. Various stopping places along the way at Colinton, Slateford, Balgreen, Belford, Stockbridge, Canonmills. Contact leader for details

Saturday 21 April A 21km 820m 6hrs
OS43. GR905671. Corbett. Ben Vuirich (903m) from Loch Moraig. Long route but easy ascent to this remote hill. Mostly on good paths but some boggy bits when these run out. CSPC £48 – see notes.

Saturday 5 May B+ 16km 550m 6hrs
OS57. Linear from Fintry along the crags of the Campsie Fells and over one Marilyn with great views over Ballikinrain Muir and to the north. Start at GR616867 climbing to Earl's Seat (578m) and onto Garloch Hill (534m). CSPC £28.

Sunday 13 May Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Killearn area. OS56. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00. Book with leader

Sunday 13 May A+ 16km 1158m 6hrs
OS51 & 57. 2 Munros. Ben Vorlich (985m) and Stuc a' Chroin (975m) from Ardvorlich House GR633232. CSPC £48.

Wednesday 23 May LECTURE “Walking through time” by Professor Stuart Monro
Quaker Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. 7.30pm. Admission £3 at the door. See details in notes section

Saturday 26 May SPECIAL COACH to include A, B+, B & C walks
Coach to Arrochar area. OS56. Waterloo Place 08:00 (return 20:00). Cost £12.00.
A Walk will include up to 4 Grahams from Luss. Beinn Eich (703m), Cruach an t-Sidhian (684m), Doune Hill (734m) and Mid Hill (657m) in the Glen Luss area. Total distance 23km and 1600m ascent. May be altered due to weather or time constraints.
B+, B & C walks will be amongst the Arrochar Alps.
C walk has the option of a boat trip on Loch Lomond (additional cost) at the end of the walk.
Book from 1 April

Tuesday 29 May EVENING WALK
Capital View Walk and Swanston, circular from The Steading, Biggar Road. 4km, ascent 203m.

Saturday 2 June B+ 14.9km 645m 5.5-6.5hrs
OS73. Eddleston circular via Cavara Hill, Middle Hill, Cardon Law, Howgate Nick, Hog Knowes, Dundreich, Portmore Loch, Boreland Farm, Eddleston. CSPC £11.50 or no. 62 bus.

Friday 8 – Sunday 10 June A/B+ MUNRO & CORBETT WEEKEND to ROYBRIDGE AREA
Various walks depending on availability of leaders. Contributions for car costs to be shared between drivers & passengers – see notes. Contact organiser for offer of/requests for transport & information about accommodation ASAP. Contact walks leader for offers to lead/suggestions for walks

Saturday 9 June A+ 30km 860m 9hrs
OS41 & 42. 2 Munros. Beinn Eibhinn and Aonach Beag. Start at Corrour Station after train journey from Crianlarich or Rannoch Station, walk along Loch Ossian and eventually climb Beinn Eibhinn (1100m) and Aonach Beag (1114m), returning the same way and catching the last train from Corrour. Departure time dependent on train timetable. CSPC £60.


Sunday 10 June Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to St Mary’s Loch. OS73 & 79. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00. Book with leader

Saturday 16 June B 14km
Circular from Flotterstone via the Howe, round Black Hill, Threipmuir Reservoir and Harlaw Ranger Centre.


Photo by Ros Kirkman

Sunday 24 June A 15km 860m 6–7hrs
OS78. Circular from GR056127. Hart Fell (808m) and Devil's Beef Tub via Annanhead Hill, Whitehope Knowe, Arthur’s Seat and Hartfell Spa. NStA 08:00. CSPC £27.

Wednesday 27 June EVENING WALK
Linear from Mortonhall, Frogston Road East, via Braid Hills, Howe Dean Path, Blackford Hill to Oswald Road for a glass of homebrew at 8 Oswald Court.

Saturday 30 June C 11km Walk from the first Edinburgh Programme
Bonnyrigg to Penicuik via disused railway.

Saturday 30 June B+ 19km 200m 6hrs
OS72 & 65. Linear. West Linton to Kirknewton via the historic pass of the Cauldstane Slap.

Sunday 8 July Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Falkland/Lomond Hills. OS58 & 59. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00.

Sunday 8 July A+ 24km 1000m 8hrs
OS43 & 44. 2 Munros. Circular from Auchallater GR156883 on A93 to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor (1047m), Carn an t-Sagairt Beag (1044m), The Stuic (1093m) and Carn a’Coire Bhoidheach (1118m). Return to Glen Callater and starting point. CSPC £54.

Saturday 14 July B 14.5km Walk from the first Edinburgh Programme
Circular walk encompassing Pencaitland Railway Walk, Saltoun Forest and the Birns Water and Tyne Water.

Saturday 21 July A 20km 850m 7–8hrs
OS43. Munro. GR109702. Beinn Iutharn Mhor (1045m). Linear to and from Dalmunzie House Hotel, Glenshee. CSPC £45.

Sunday 22 July C 10km Walk from the first Edinburgh Programme
North Berwick to East Linton by the John Muir Way.

Wednesday 25 July EVENING WALK
Pentlands walk starting at Flotterstone then Rullion Green and Martyr’s Monument.

Saturday 4 August B+ 18km 300m 6hrs Walk from the first Edinburgh Programme
OS58. Circular from Keltybridge GR139953 via Blairadam Forest, Nivingston Craigs, Dummiefarline, Dumglow, Black Loch, Loch Glow. CSPC £12.

Sunday 12 August Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Perth area. OS58. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00.

Sunday 12 August A+ 15km 1400m 8hrs
OS41. 4 Munros in the Mamores. From Mamore Lodge GR186629 to Na Gruagaichean (1055m) then to An Garbhanach and along a narrow rocky crest to An Gearanach (982m) returning along the crest & continuing to Stob Coire a'Chairn (981m) then Am Bodach (1031m) and return to Mamore Lodge. CSPC £78.

Saturday 18 August B 15km
OS66. Linear from Longniddry Station, round the back of Gosford Estate and then Aberlady, across the footbridge and on to Gullane. Option to stop at Aberlady.

Saturday 18 August A 29km 800m 8hrs
OS43. Munro. Linear. Carn a’ Chlamain (963m) from Bridge of Tilt GR874664. CSPC £48.

Saturday 25 August C 13km
OS58. Yetts of Muckhart to Dollar via Rumbling Bridge. Contact leader for bus details

Saturday 1 September B+ 12km 900m 6-7hrs
OS51. Corbett. GR536209. Circular route over 3 hills starting at Rob Roy’s grave in Balquhidder, over Meall an Fhiodhain and Cam Chreag before reaching Meall an t-Seallaidh (852m). CSPC £36.

Sunday 9 September Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Kelso. OS74. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00. Book with leader

Sunday 9 September A+ 22km 1300m 8hrs
OS78. Marilyn. Circular route from Wanlockhead GR875130 south to East Mount Lowther (631m) and continuing in same direction to Durisdeer via Inglestone Farm. From Durisdeer north up Black Hill (531m) then along to Penbane (514m), Well Hill (606m) and Laght Hill (507m) and then along the Southern Upland Way north west over Cold Moss (628m) and Lowther Hill (725m) back to Wanlockhead. CSPC £30.

Wednesday 12 September EVENING WALK
From Fisherrow Harbour along shore, follow River Esk to Inveresk Village and return through Lewisvale Park to town centre.

Saturday 15 September B 15km
OS57 & 51. Glen Ample to Lochearnhead. Mainly flat walk with good paths all the way and beautiful scenery. Bus to Callander with return bus from Lochearnhead. Contact leader for bus times and further details

Saturday 22 September C 10km Walk from the first Edinburgh Programme
Circular from Roslin Chapel via Castle and Glen to Polton and past Bilston Viaduct.

Trees & clouds, Gilmerton ridge, S Edinburgh - photo by Peter Ball
Trees & clouds, Gilmerton ridge, S Edinburgh - photo by Peter Ball

 Saturday 22 September A 16km 850m 6–7hrs
OS57. Graham and Marilyn. Circular from GR537200 over Creag Mhor (657m), descending by the Allt Fathan Glinne to Ballimore then over Beinn an t-Sidhein (572m) back to Balquhidder. CSPC £36.

Saturday 6 October B+ 14km 720m 6hrs
OS51. GR744273. Munro. Ben Chonzie (931m). Linear from Coishavachan, Glen Lednock. CSPC £42.

Sunday 14 October 30th Anniversary Coach C, B and B+ walks
Coach to Trossachs. OS57. Waterloo Place 09:00. Cost £10.00. Book with leader

Sunday 14 October A+ 13km 823m 6hrs
OS44. 2 Munros. Starting from car park at Glen Doll GR283761, via the Shank of Drumfellow to Driesh (947m) and then on to Mayar (928m). Return by the same route. CSPC £56.

Saturday 20 October B walk 15km Minimum ascent
OS73. Circular from Newton St Boswells, taking in Dryburgh Abbey, Wallace's Statue and Scott's View. Undulating paths. CSPC £24.

Saturday 27 October A 14km 550m 5–6hrs
OS57. 2 Marilyns over rough country. Linear from GR542006 to Craig of Monievreckie (400m) and Beinn Dearg (427m). CSPC £33.

Sunday 28 October C 12km
Circular from Balerno via minor roads and paths fringing the Pentlands.