What's Happening in Your Area
More and more Ramblers groups are now organising short, gentle-paced, easy walks of 3-5 miles. These short walks are a great way to start walking. The groups listed below offer a range of short walks, with something suitable for everyone – whether its nature spotting or town trails – and walking in a group is an excellent way to keep motivated to go walking!
These walks are also ideal as a ‘next step’ for participants of healthy walking schemes, who want to try longer, more challenging walks but not over difficult terrain.
For more information about any of the groups listed, or if you would like to get involved in doing short walks in your area, contact Ramblers Scotland on 01577 861 222 or email scotland@ramblers.org.uk
Here is a taste of what is happening where you are:
Edinburgh Ramblers have a sub-group called the ‘Stravaigers’, which do a range of short 3-5 mile walks in and around Edinburgh. All walks are gentle-paced and can be reached using the local bus network. The group is working with healthy walking schemes in the area to encourage their fitter participants to try the walks: - South City Strollers; Ageing Well Edinburgh; Mind Body & Stroll; Balerno Footsteps 4 Fitness; It’s good to Walk (Wester Hailes); Pilton Walking Project; and Sikh Sanjog.
Linlithgow Ramblers have teamed up with the Put Your West Foot Forward healthy walking scheme to provide longer walks of approximately 3 miles for its fitter walkers over the summer months. The group also offer a short 5-mile walk every Wednesday.
Livingston Ramblers have a regular programme of short 5-mile walks. All walks take place within a 30-mile radius of Livingston and transport is by car share.
North Berwick Ramblers offer a family walk once a month in the East Lothian Area. The walks are suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, including short, easy options for parents with younger children.
Dalgety Bay & District Ramblers have a subgroup called the Dalgety Roamers, which offer short 3-5 mile walks in the local area. All walks are easy and involve little, or no ascent. The Roamers are working with the ‘Bums Off Seats’ healthy walking scheme to encourage its fitter walkers to take the next step on the road to fitness and try more challenging walks.
St Andrews & North East Fife Ramblers is teaming up with the ‘Bums Off Seats’ healthy walking scheme to provide short, easy walks for participants who are ready to try more challenging walks. All the walks are 3-5 miles long and are spread right across North East Fife, providing lots of opportunities for people to go on a local walk.
Forth Valley Family Walking Group caters especially to families, offering easy strolls suitable for youngsters in buggies, as well as longer walks for older children. Walks generally take place in the Hillfoots area. www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/fvwalkinggroup/
Glenrothes Strollers, part of the Glenrothes Ramblers, offer weekly short walks, timed to last about two hours. Walks are based around the local area and led by friendly and informative walk leaders.
STRATHCLYDE
Cunninghame Ramblers has a programme of shorter walks over the summer months. In May, the group offers easy ‘Taster Walks’ in and around Irvine. The walks are on flat paths and are 3-4 miles long. In June and July, the group organises evening walks in the local area, which are up to 5 miles long.
Inverclyde Ramblers offer short, introductory walks in the local neighbourhood for people who are new to walking. The walks often incorporate some local history or wildlife spotting.
Eastwood Ramblers based in East Renfrewshire, offers a programme of short mid week walks throughout the year, usually around three miles in length and timed to last about two hours. The pace is gentle and walking is mainly on tarmac with the minimum of climbing.
www.eastwood-ramblers.org.uk
Bearsden & Milngavie Ramblers offer regular mid week short walks, timed to last about two hours. The walks are suitable for young and old, particularly those who have not attempted any organised walking before.
www.bearsdenandmilngavieramblers.org.uk
GRAMPIAN
Aberdeen Ramblers offer a regular programme of short 5-mile walks from May to September. All walks are taken at an easy pace and transport is by car share.
See also
