St Leonards Ramblers take a wak through Scotland's capital city

Jan 16 2013 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

St Leonards Ramblers began the New Year with a walk along the banks of the Water of Leith which meanders its way through Edinburgh.

This was the first of the year’s 46 walks chosen by the members as their favourites of the past 20 years in celebration of the club’s 20th anniversary.

After the usual morning coffee stop, everyone began the walk from the Visitor Centre at Slateford with the High group setting off at a faster pace than the Low walkers.

The first few miles along the river saw them pass by Saughton Prison and around Murrayfield Stadium.

Occasional diversions away from the river were necessary due to the extensive but necessary flood prevention works which are being undertaken along several stretches of the river. This, however, let everyone see parts of the city they would not otherwise have seen.

Both groups stopped for lunch in the upmarket and picturesque area of “The Village of Dean” where the river’s weir has been supplying power for bakeries for hundreds of years.

From there, the river continued to meander through Stockbridge, past the Royal Botanic Gardens and through Warriston on its way to the Port of Leith where the members finished their walk.

After changing, everyone had time to enjoy the delights of the many trendy bars, cafes and restaurants in the area before the journey home to East Kilbride.

Plans to celebrate the rambling club’s 20th anniversary are progressing and information on their activities and future walks is available by telephoning Kris on 07738 783431.