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Walk Details
This page gives more details about upcoming walks. This information is also sent out by post or email to everyone who has booked. See the About the Walks page for general information about the Walks Programme.
| Please book in advance to guarantee your place, and also so that I can inform you of any changes to these details. Thanks! |
On this page:
Sat 5 Sep 10am Brander
Coast, Borders | Sun 13 Sep 11am Aberlady-Gullane,
E Lothian |
Sat 19 Sep 10am Kinghorn, Fife
| Sat 3 Oct 10am Bavelaw, Pentlands |
Sun 4
Oct 11am St Baldreds Cradle, E Lothian | Sat
31 Oct 10am Roslin Glen, Midlothian |
Sat 7 Nov
10am Cramond Island, Edinburgh | Sun 22 Nov 11am
South Queensferry |
Sat 28 Nov 10am Water
of Leith, Edinburgh
Sat 5 Sep 10am Brander Coast, Borders
The wildest stretch of the Borders coast lies between Fast Castle and St Abbs Head - where steep cliffs of greywacke sandstone plunge to the North Sea, fringed by headlands and rocky beaches. From the cliff top, if the conditions are right, we can descend to a remote beach for a close-up view of the rhythmic layering formed on the floor of a long-lost ocean.
THE ROCKS: Layers of greywacke sandstone, originally formed on the floor of the Iapetus Ocean, have been crumpled during the Caledonian Orogeny as the Iapetus Ocean closed, and are now often found tilted at a high angle from the horizontal. From the cliff tops we can appreciate how these layers are laid in repeating sequences, reflecting the processes that formed them. And as we contemplate the modern North Sea we can speculate about what was happening on a sea bed long ago in a long lost ocean.
THE WALK: This is short but strenuous walk on tracks, steep grassy slopes and bouldery beach. We'll follow farm tracks from Dowlaw Farm southwards, and then a rough path along the cliff tops to a great viewpoint where it is possible to descend to the remote beach. Return along the waymarked path to Dowlaw Farm. Total walking distance about 6 km. I have classified this as an adventurous walk, involving walking along rocky beaches, clambering over rocks and steep climbs. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear with a good tread and waterproof clothing.
MEET: At the car park beside Dowlaw Farm. Take the A1 to just south of Cockburnspath, and turn east onto the A1107. A few miles south of the junction, at the top of the hill, take the left turn signposted to Dowlaw. Follow this minor road down to the farm, the car park is on the left before the farm buildings. Grid reference NT 855 702. This walk is not accessible by public transport, and car sharing is encouraged. Please get in touch if you would like a lift or can offer one. DAY WALK duration 4-5 hours, cost £12 (£10 conc) per person |
Sun 13 Sep 11am Aberlady-Gullane, E Lothian
This walk takes in the contrasting landscapes of the broad sweep of Aberlady Bay, underlain by soft sedimentary rocks, and the rocky headland of Gullane Point, formed from resistant igneous rock.
THE ROCKS: A story of sand, with the opportunity to appreciate how the soft sedimentary rocks of the centre of Scotland are easy to erode, in this case producing sandy beaches and dunes, while the hard igneous rocks form headlands. And what happens when the sea level is higher, as it was in the past and may be in the future? Ferry to East Lothian, anyone?
THE WALK: A gentle walk following the coast, on variable paths and on sandy beaches with occasional rocky headlands. We'll follow a circular route along the foreshore and return by the inland path to our starting point, total distance 8 km. I have classified this as a moderate walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: At the car park at the entrance to the Aberlady Nature Reserve, 1 km east of Aberlady village on the A198. Grid reference NT 471 805. By bus, service 124 departs St Andrews Square, Edinburgh at 09:48, arrive Aberlady 10:38. DAY WALK duration 4-5 hours, cost £12 (£10 conc) per person |
Sun 23 Aug
11am rescheduled to Saturday 19 Sep 10am Kinghorn, Fife
A short stretch of the Fife Coastal Path introduces us to an amazing array of rocks. We begin on lava flows, pass through many sedimentary layers, including fossil-rich limestone, and it's all topped off with two flavours of dolerite.
THE ROCKS: An interesting variety of rocks from the Carboniferous Period, representing changing environmental conditions which formed different sedimentary rocks, mixed with surface lava flows and underground igneous intrusions.
THE WALK: A short walk along the foreshore and coastal path north from Kinghorn towards Kirkcaldy (distance 4 km), with the choice of continuing onto Kirkcaldy (2 km) and returning by train or retracing our steps to Kinghorn. A mix of coastal path, sandy foreshore, and occasional rocky sections. I have classified this as a moderate walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: At Kinghorn Train Station. From the Forth Road Bridge take the A921 through Inverkeithing along the coast, the train station is signposted from the main street of Kinghorn, down to the left. Grid reference NT 270 869. By train, depart Edinburgh Waverley at 09:06, arrive 09:45. DAY WALK duration 4-5 hours, cost £12 (£10 conc) per person |
Sat 3 Oct 10am Bavelaw, Pentlands
This short, low level walk in the Pentlands gives a rare glimpse of the rocks that lie deep beneath the Lothians. Here the oldest rocks in the area are exposed; sandstones and shales that have had a remarkable journey - they've been at the surface before, but were buried by nearby volcanic eruptions.
THE ROCKS: The Pentlands are composed of a mix of different rocks; on top are the volcanic rocks and conglomerates from the Devonian Period - but poking up here and there underneath we see the older rocks, vestiges of the long-gone Iapetus Ocean.
THE WALK: This is a gentle walk along good paths, following a low-level route through the Pentlands, total distance 8 km and climbing 100 m. I have classified this as a easy walk: on good paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: At the Red Moss car park. From the centre of Balerno take the minor road south towards the Pentlands. After about 3 km look for the car park on the left (the road continues past this point, but cars aren't allowed). Grid reference NT 167 639. This walk is not easily accessible by public transport, and car sharing is encouraged. Please get in touch if you would like a lift or can offer one. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
Sun 4 Oct 11am St Baldreds Cradle, E Lothian
Explore this spectacular rocky headland beside the Tyne estuary, the remains of a volcanic plug where magma oozed through sedimentary layers.
THE ROCKS: St Baldred's Cradle is the most impressive basalt headland of the Lothian coast, and the hard igneous rock had protected softer rocks on either side, allowing us to get some tantalising glimpses into the complicated history of this volcano.
THE WALK: This is a gentle walk on good paths with a section along flat rocks on the coast. From Tyninghame Links we will walk through the woods to the coast of the Tyne estuary and follow the coastline to St Baldreds Cradle and the beach before turning back inland. Total distance about 4 km. I have classified this as a moderate walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing. And afterwards, the best cafe in East Lothian is just around the corner!
MEET: Tyninghame Links car park. From the A198 North Berwick - Dunbar road, turn east on to Limetree Walk, which is a minor road 1 km north of Tyninghame / 2 km south of Whitekirk. Drive to the end of this road, parking on the righthand side. Grid reference NT 627 809. This walk is not easily accessible by public transport, and car sharing is encouraged. Please get in touch if you would like a lift or can offer one. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
Sat 31 Oct 10am Roslin Glen, Midlothian
Explore the geology of Rosslyn Chapel and the nearby glen, a picturesque gorge with high sandstone cliffs. The sandstone forms a thick coal-free horizon within the Midlothian coal field.
THE ROCKS: The gorge has high sandstone sides, a thick layer formed by rivers in Carboniferous times. A cliff cut by the modern river exposes ancient river channels.
THE WALK: A short circular walk through Roslin Glen on muddy paths. From Rosslyn Chapel we descend into the river gorge, then follow the river upstream. Total distance about 3 km. I have classified this as a easy walk: on good paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: Outside Rosslyn Chapel, near the village of Roslin, Midlothian. Grid reference NT 275 630. Accessible by Lothian Buses service 15 from Edinburgh, depart St Andrews Square at 09:07 arrives at Roslin 09:45. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
Sat 7 Nov 10am Cramond Island, Edinburgh
Explore Cramond Island at low tide to discover its hard dolerite rock, and find out about the varied geology of the other Firth of Forth islands, formed from a variety of durable igneous rocks.
THE ROCKS: The islands of the Firth of Forth are all igneous, more resistant the the surrounding sedimentary rocks and they add greatly to the character of the firth. Most of the islands, like Cramond, formed from the underground action of magma squeezing between the sedimentary rocks. Inland, the River Almond has sliced through layers of sandstone and other rocks, some of which are exposed along the shore.
THE WALK: The tide will be out, so we can safely cross the causeway without getting our feet wet, for a exploration of Cramond Island and views of the other islands. We'll then take a short walk along the shore towards Granton, total distance about 4 km. I have classified this as a moderate walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: At the start of the Cramond Island causeway, grid reference NT 190 772. Lothian bus service 41 stops nearby. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
Sun 22 Nov 11am South Queensferry
In the shadow of the Forth Rail Bridge we find a surprising mix of sedimentary and igneous rocks, samples of the diverse geology of West Lothian with many links to how people in the past have benefited from the region's geology.
THE ROCKS: We begin with an array of sedimentary rocks, containing clues to their formation in the Carboniferous period more than 300 million years ago. Walking further along the coast we leave these soft rocks behind, and the character of the coast line is determined by occasional rocky headlands made of different hard igneous rocks.
THE WALK: This is a flat and gentle walk, on paths with there some sandy and rocky stretches of beach. We'll start under the Forth Rail Bridge, and follow the coast towards Hound Point, returning by the main track. Total distance about 4 km. Despite the proximity to Edinburgh, this is a quiet and overlooked stretch of coast, with beautiful sandy beaches and rocky headlands. I have classified this as a moderate walk: not always on paths, may be rough or slippery underfoot at times. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: Outside the South Queensferry Lifeboat Station, opposite the Hawes Inn, South Queensferry. Dalmeny train station is a short distance away, there's a train which departs Edinburgh at 10:15. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
Sat 28 Nov 10am Water of Leith, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's river has a varied character, reflecting the underlying rock and dramatic episodes of erosion associated with the melting of glacial ice. This short walk explores the river between Stockbridge and the Dean Bridge.
THE ROCKS: This is a varied section of river, in some places open and flat, and sometimes restricted to a narrow gorge. The shape of the river reflects the underlying rocks, mostly soft sedimentary layers but with occasional more resistant sections. There are a few igneous dykes as well, and plenty of added interest in the human modifications of the river and its banks and bridges.
THE WALK: a gentle walk along a section of the Water of Leith path from Stockbridge to Roseburn, total distance about 4 km. This is classified as an easy walk, on good paths, although there may be uneven surfaces and steps and there is the potential to slip or trip. It may be wet, windy or cold. Come equipped with strong footwear and waterproof clothing.
MEET: The east gate of the Royal Botanical Gardens on Inverleith Row. Grid reference NT 250753. The walk will finish at Roseburn Terrace, from where you can catch a bus back to the start on retrace our steps. SHORT WALK duration 2-3 hours, cost £8 per person |
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