June

George

Edinburgh Waverley – bus to Lothianburn – Swanston – Bonaly Country Park – Torduff and Clubbidean Reservoirs – Poet’s Glen – Blinkbonny – Woodhall – Juniper Green – Colinton Kirk

Very windy with very brief showers. Some sunny periods.

George, Ron, Sandy, Richard, Diane, Bernie.

Michael and Michelle - in Spain

Ashley - in Thailand

Ken - on holiday

Comments

We travelled up by train. However, as the power lines had come down due to the wind, two trains had been cancelled and the train that did come was very crowded due to lots of girls trying to get to Glasgow for a Harry Styles concert. Some of us didn't get our booked seats and had to stand all the way.

The first half of the walk was into the wind with little shelter. We visited Swanston village with its thatched roof cottages and where Robert Louis Stevenson had stayed during his childhood. We passed two golf courses.

We found a sheltered spot in the woods for lunch. All of us managed to squeeze on to a long stile. There was a twisty climb up through the woods to Bonaly. When crossing the dam at Torduff Reservoir it was very exposed to strong winds. There were lots of fishermen on Clubbidean Reservoir.

The wind was behind us from Blinkbonny. We passed a new riding centre at Woodhall before dropping down to the Water of Leith at Juniper Green and walking along the route of the old railway line to Colinton village. We walked down the old village street to the church, where Robert Louis Stevenson had stayed as a boy with his grandfather, who was the minister there. We climbed up the steep steps to the top of the village and took the bus back to the city centre.

There we met up with Evelyn, who had been unable to get into the Botanic Gardens because of the wind and had to avoid heavy showers of rain. She had taken a tourist bus tour and visited some historic areas of the city.

We were unable to eat as planned at the Abbotsford because the kitchen wasn't working, so we went along to The Standing Order and had a good meal. The return train journey was much pleasanter than outward journey, quiet with good views. We saw a rainbow pass over Lindisfarne as we travelled past.

Wildlife etc. : Sheep, goats, and ponies. Speedwell

The Standing Order, George Street, Edinburgh

Swanston Village

Horse at Swanston

Richard and Diane

Bonaly Country Park

View from Bonaly Country Park

Bonaly, Colinton and Arthur's Seat

Torduff Reservoir

Dam

Reservoir view

Clubbidean Reservoir

Approaching Colinton Church

Statue of Robert Louis Stevenson at the kirk

Mortsafe outside the kirk

Grassmarket, Edinburgh

Meal in the Standing Order