Group name: Balerno
This group is a part of Lothian & Borders Area.
Our activities include:
Path maintenance
We are a busy group with walks at weekends and on Wednesdays, We also have social events and trips away to other areas . The Balerno Group covers Balerno, Currie and the surrounding area. Balerno nestles at the foot of the Pentland Hills to the south west of Edinburgh. A group of us work with Friends of the Pentlands helping with tree planting, drainage schemes, path building and repair.
If any of our walks interest you, then if you are not on our mailing list please contact the walk leader to check that there are no changes to the walk.
Usually most of our walks operate on a ‘just turn up’ (JTU) system. During the Covid-19 pandemic all walks must be booked and you must contact the walk leader first. The walk description will give the leader's contact details. If you want to join a walk at the walk start point please let the walk leader know.
We regret that no dogs are allowed on our walks.
Weekend Walks
From Saturday 12th September 2020 walking will resume with local walks.
Weekend walks will be offered and the start point of each walk will vary depending on the walk offered. Details of the start point and meeting time will be specified in the walk description.
Numbers will initially be limited to 10 walkers per walk with booking by email or phone - booking method will be advised in the walk description. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis with anyone who is unable to get on a walk on a Weekend being given priority for the following week.
Walkers are reminded that:
a) Anyone with Covid symptoms or who is awaiting a test should not book or attend any walk.
b) All walks must be booked in advance with the walk leader by email or telephone.
c) Anyone unable to go on a booked walk must contact the walk leader to cancel their place.
d) 2m social distancing must be maintained at all times.
e) All walkers should cary their ICE (In Case of Emergency) card
f) All walkers should carry a mask and hand sanitiser.
g) Walkers should carry their own first aid kit to deal with minor injuries. The walk leader will carry a more comprehensive kit for dealing with more serious problems.
In addition, to comply with Scottish Government Covid-19 regulations, a walk register will be taken for 'Track & Trace' purposes.
Wednesday walks
Walks take place on each Wednesday. To cater for current demand two different walks are usually offered. Booking should be made by WhatsApp or text, please add your name in the message. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. No car sharing is allowed and walkers must make their own way to the start point.
Covid regulations allow up to 30 people on a walk, however actual numbers are at the discretion of the walk leader and numbers are more likely to be around a maximum of 15. Walkers may be split into two groups spaced apart by a few minutes to help with social distancing.
Walkers are reminded that
a) Anyone with Covid symptoms or who is awaiting a test should not book or attend any walk.
b) All walks should be booked in advance with the walk leader, preferably by text or WhatsApp.
c) The deadline for booking a Wednesday walk is normally 5.00 pm on the preceeding Sunday
d) Anyone unable to go on a booked walk must contact the walk leader as soon as possible to cancel their place and enable someone else to go.
e) 2m social distancing must be maintained at all times.
f) All walkers should cary their ICE (In Case of Emergency) card
g) All walkers should carry a mask and hand sanitiser.
h) Walkers should carry their own first aid kit to deal with minor injuries. The walk leader will carry a more comprehensive kit for dealing with more serious problems.
i) To comply with Scottish Government Covid-19 regulations, a walk register will be taken for 'Track & Trace' purposes.
Contact us
For general enquiries contact our chair, F Alexander [07913 044806] or our secretary, J Bisacre [0131 449 2568]
For Wednesday walk enquiries contact : M Timmins (0131 449 4525)
Balerno Walk Leaders can borrow books (contact E Imrie 0131 449 2114) or OS maps (contact E Scroggie 0131 441 1666) from the Group library.
We have a couple of mailing lists which you are welcome to join
One is for weekend walks, you can join it by clicking here to send an email to register on the list.
The other list is for Wednesday walks and you can join (or unsubscribe) by clicking here to send an email.
If you join the mailing list you will receive emails with information on forthcoming walks and other appropriate issues.