|
 "Setting off" |
 "En route round the loch" |
 "Stopping for a rest" |
 "The 'birthday' cake" |
It is five years since Forth & Tay
held its first ramble - to Quarrymill near Perth. The first ramble of the 2007
season took place at Lochore Meadows. Afterwards members hosted a celebratory
reception for invited guests, volunteers, family and friends in the Visitor
Centre.
 "Getting on took a bit of doing! " |
 "We're down " |
 "Golf November, Polly's Piper Cherokee Dakota G-FRGN" |
Forth & Tay members, Kitty Walker and Jan McDonald, flew from Dundee Airport to Fife Airport , Glenrothes in a four-seater Piper Cherokee with Polly Vacher, a well-known female pilot. Polly, who specialises in long-distance solo flights and has flown around the world twice, is attempting to land at all 206 recognised airfields, which appear in the Jeppensen VFR Manual. The aim of her trip is to raise awareness for the charity, Flying Scholarships for the Disabled (FSD). FSD provides scholarships to enable disabled people to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem by learning to pilot a light aircraft. You can follow the challenge, which runs until the end of July at Wings around the world. |
 "A Family Affair " |
 "Pep talk from Dave Kerr" |
Glenrothes Ramblers hosted a ramble around
Balbirnie Park followed by supper in the Golf Club. In spite of constant rain
all day, it stayed fair for the walk.
 "Big Tree Country" |
 "Stunning view" |
 "Through woodland" |
Forty members, volunteers, family and friends (plus five canines) from Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers travelled to Atholl Woods, north of Dunkeld for the third ramble of the season. The May ramble is dedicated to the memory of Mr Chris Davie, who died in May 2005. He was one of the first scooter ramblers in Fife and was out daily in all weathers on his green Rascal scooter around the streets of Kirkcaldy - and often beyond! The walk is on Atholl Estates and starts at Cally Car Park, just north of Dunkeld. The route rises through woodland to more open views before passing several small lochs. The group stopped at Mill Dam for lunch where estate ranger, Liz Miller, gave a talk on the area before continuing on to Rotmell Loch and then back via the same route. The next ramble is to Loch Katrine on June 5th. |
 "Ornithologists at work above Loch Morlich" |
 "Ready for the off at Boat of Garten" |
 "Riverside walk Nethy Bridge" |
Several members of the group travelled to Aviemore for the annual Aviemore Walking Festival. There were three walks on offer, which were accessible to people using mobility scooters - the first around Nethy Bridge, the second from Boat of Garten to Aviemore and the third above and around Loch Morlich. |
 "Near the start with Tay Bridge in the background" |
 "Resting from the wind" |
There was a large turnout of Forth &
Tay members for the Tay Bridge to Tayport ramble, which follows the Fife
Coastal Path route. Members of Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews Ramblers
joined in the four mile round trip. A few brief showers and a hail storm, along
with blustery winds made the return journey quite challenging although the sun
shone most of the time!
The accommodation
Station Lodge
Independent Hostel, Tulloch, is a converted railway station building, sitting
on the famous West Highland Railway Line. It dates from 1894 and has some
interesting architectural features, including the Swiss-style roof and interior
wooden wall linings.
A group of 18 members and volunteers travelled up
to Tulloch, staying at the hostel for four days. There is bunkhouse-style
accommodation for individuals or groups of all ages at the hostel. There are
four rooms, which are furnished with sturdy double bunks and wardrobes.
One member of the party is a powered wheelchair user. As well as
ladies' and gents' toilets and showers, there is a spacious disabled toilet in
the building but there is no wheelchair-accessible showering facility. The
lower bunks proved more than suitable for members' needs as the ladder provided
something to pull on and made getting out of bed fairly easy. The top bunks
were more challenging for our volunteers, especially after a few drams.
"'Volunteers off
duty'"
As it is possible to book breakfast (cooked
or light), evening meals (up to 3 courses) and packed lunches all catering
needs were taken care of including the washing-up. This made it a most
enjoyable and relaxing stay. Our thanks go to hosts Alan and Belinda for their
generous hospitality and superb cooking.
Loch Ossian ramble.
Corrour is an area of outstanding scenic beauty, which is well off the
beaten track and not accessible to the general public by car. However, the
group had permission to take in 2 vans with scooters to Corrour Station to meet
the party arriving on the train.
"'Boarding the 8.10am train'"
The train left at 8.10 a.m. from Tulloch,
which made it an early start for the first ramble. Members rose to the occasion
and everyone was assembled on the platform in plenty of time. The train travels
along the famous West Highland line, which runs from Glasgow to Mallaig. The
short journey to Corrour passes along the length of Loch Treig and the scenery
is stunning.
"'Corrour Station Restaurant'"
Breakfast, consisting of egg and bacon
rolls, awaited us on our arrival at Corrour courtesy of Beth Campbell, the
owner.
"'Breakfast at Corrour'"
The group then rambled along the side of
Loch Ossian, which is surrounded by Munros including Beinn na Lap, Sgor
Gaibhre, Carn Dearg, Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain.
"'On the way down to Loch Ossian'"
Within view is the Mamore range and Ben
Nevis was also visible as it was such a clear, sunny day.
"'A view of Ben Nevis"
Loch Ossian is one of the largest,
high-altitude lochs in Scotland, at 1300 feet above sea level.
"'Walkers, cyclists and scooter
users'"
A short stop was made on the return leg at
Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, which is down by the water's edge.
"'At Loch Ossian Youth Hostel'"
After the ramble, the party returned to
Corrour Restaurant for a late lunch. The train back to Tulloch at 3.30 rounded
off a superb day's rambling. After dinner Kitty's quiz in the lounge in front
of a roaring coal fire kept members entertained till bedtime.
"'Quiz time with Kitty'"
Glenfinnan ramble.
Breakfast on
the second morning was at Tulloch. A later start was much appreciated. The
party drove through Ft William to the car park at the start of the track
leading up to the Glenfinnan viaduct.
"'Rambling under the Glenfinnan
Viaduct'"
There is a rough surface to the track that
starts up the glen from the car park, just over the bridge from the NTS visitor
centre. After a few metres it becomes tarmac. Cars are not allowed up the glen.
The track passes some estate cottages just before it goes through one of the
enormous arches of the railway viaduct.
The viaduct, one of the largest
structures on the railway line, was built by Sir Robert McAlpine in the years
up to 1901. The viaduct is curved, leading the track round the head of the
River Finnan valley. It is made of concrete, a material that does not look at
its best when viewed at a short distance. However, from afar it is an
impressive sight.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct was used as a location in
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in which a substantial sequence
revolves around the Hogwarts Express crossing the viaduct. Its then appeared in
two subsequent Harry Potter films; The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of
Fire. MThis has made it well-known to Potter fans. The arrival of the daily
summer steam special from Fort William brings the tourists out in droves (along
with volunteers Arthur and Bill).
"'Steam train on the viaduct'"
The track runs all the way up to the
'Lodge' on the hillside above Corryhully. Below the house is an estate-run
bothy with electricity, but a stream in spate due to recent rain prevented
access on scooters.
There are a few steep
gradients towards the end of the path but the tarmac surface meant that there
were no difficulties for members using scooters. Dinner back at Station Lodge,
followed by another quiz from Kitty, rounded off a superb four-day trip.
 "A leisurely stroll" |
 "On the road along Loch Katrine" |
 "Sir Walter Scott steamship" |
 "Stopping for a picnic" |
There was a good turnout as usual for the
June ramble to Loch Katrine, which is situated in the Trossachs National Park
www.lochkatrine.com. Members
gathered in the car park at Trossachs Pier, where there is a cafe, gift shop
and the steam boat, Sir Walter Scott. There is also a four-seater golf buggy
for hire at the Pier. The lochside road is reasonably flat and is perfect for
scooter/ wheelchair users. The views across the loch are magnificent from the
picnic spot, where the group stopped for lunch before returning to the Pier.
 "Enjoying a chat" |
 "FTDR members with some of Dundee Ramblers" |
Dundee Ramblers hosted a 'wheelchair walk'
at Forfar Loch Country Park on Saturday 28th July. Members of Forth & Tay,
along with family, friends and a couple of volunteers took part.
The
loch is situated only a few minutes walk from the centre of the town, The park
caters for all visitors and many of the facilities are accessible for
wheelchair users, including the visitor centre, viewing platforms and park
trails. The Country Park is home to a rich variety of wildlife. A large number
of wildfowl are resident on the loch throughout the year and numbers swell in
autumn and winter with the arrival of migrants from the Arctic. Varoius mammals
are found around the park including fox, otter and stoat. The park is also host
to a wide variety of wildflower and fungi.
Following the walk lunch
was booked at the Kookaburra Restaurant. The group plans to host another ramble
in 2008, which will be open to scooter and wheelchair users.
Thirty members and family/ carers plus
volunteers attended the outing into the Lomond Hills Regional Park to ramble
from the Holl Reservoir car park to Harperleas Reservoir. Harperleas is one of
a series of reservoirs created in the hollows to the south of the hills. These
reservoirs were created during the 19th and 20th Centuries to supply the needs
of a growing population and developing industry.
Access is gained to
the Park Reservoirs from the A911 Auchmuir Bridge to Leslie road. 'The Hazels'
gives access to the car park adjacent to Holl Reservoir, where the ramble
started. The journey further into the Park was made along the Scottish Water
access roads. The route took the group past Drumain and Ballo Reservoirs to
Harperleas Reservoir. After crossing the dam at Harperleas, the group stopped
for a short break for lunch. The view across the reservoir from this point at
the north-east end shore was excellent. After the lunch break, the group
returned across the dam before continuing on the ramble further up the track to
the head of Glen Vale. The group retraced their route to the car park observing
the glorious views en-route, looking across the reservoirs and down to the
River Forth. Our thanks are extended to Scottish Water for access through the
many gates for our 'buggies'
 "Family launching canoe" |
 "Multi user path" |
 "Returning to Bridge Inn" |
 "Sailing on the Mackay Seagull" |
There was another large turnout for the
first July ramble along the Union Canal at Ratho. Participants gathered in the
Canal Car Park, before setting off along the Union Canal towpath. The towpath
is open to scooter users, but can be narrow (only 1 metre wide in places) and
with an uneven and potholed surface. It can be wet and muddy in areas, so extra
care is needed. It is a walkway, which is also available for cycling so again
care is needed when passing walkers and cyclists.
The group turned back
just after Wilkie's Basin as there was another treat in store - a barge trip on
the 2 Seagull Trust boats, which are moored at Ratho. After a picnic lunch the
minibus took members across to the Seagull Trust headquarters where they
boarded the boats. The barges sailed down the Canal towards Falkirk, turned at
Wilkie's Basin then returned to the Seagull Trust mooring. A most enjoyable day
was had by all and many thanks go to the numerous volunteers who turned out to
assist and to everyone at the Seagull Trust, especially the two barge crews.
 "Around Clatto" |
 "At the barbecue" |
 "At the Visitor Centre" |
 "Chocolate fudge cake" |
Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers most
recent outing was to Templeton Woods near DundeeMembers enjoyed a ramble
through the woods and down to Clatto Reservoir, where there is a rich variety
of bird life to be viewed. During a brief stop for coffee down at the
reservoir, Kitty Walker entertained members with the usual Sunday Post quiz.
The woods, which are adjacent to Camperdown Country Park consist of
mature woodland and provide an excellent habitat for roe deer, red squirrels
and tawny owls. The Visitor Centre is open daily and has a disabled-accessible
toilet. There is a network of paths in the wood, many of which are ideal for
wheelchair, scooter and power chair users.
After the ramble the group
joined in the Volunteer Day barbecue, which was arranged by Dundee Ranger
Service.
 "Anything is possible" |
 "Checking out the old flax pond" |
Three members of the FTDR management
committee joined staff from the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust at Silverburn
to look at path proposals, which will create an accessible circular route from
Leven prom.
 "Along the path" |
 "Beside Scoonie Golf course" |
 "Leven promenade" |
The first of two outings in August took Forth & Tay members to Leven for a ramble to Silverburn Estate. The walk starts on the prom in Leven, which offers fine views across the Forth to the Lothians and the Bass Rock and along the coast to Lundin Links and Largo Law. Torrential rain on the morning of the ramble cast doubts on whether the event would take place. However, the sun broke through just in time and the weather turned out warm and sunny. The route passes in front of Leven Golfing Society and Leven Thistle clubhouses then on through East Links to Scoonie Golf Clubhouse. Members stopped for lunch in the beautiful gardens at Silverburn. There is an accessible toilet at the end of the buildings opposite the gardens. On the return journey local resident, June Ramsay, handed the group several platefuls of home-made scones and jam. The ramble finished with members sitting in the sunshine in the memorial gardens beside the Beach Nursing Home enjoying a rare treat. |
 "Bring me sunshine" |
 "Singing in the rain!" |
Sixteen hardy ramblers and eleven
volunteers braved the elements to ramble at Loch Leven in the rain! Members met
in the cafe at the pier, hoping that the sky would brighten. By 11.30 it was
obvious that this was not to be so the group set off.
A link path from
the pier cafe joins up with the Kirkgate, before winding round past Kinross
House and along the loch side towards Burleigh Sands.
After a picnic
lunch under the shelter of the trees at Burleigh Sands the group returned to
the Pier Cafe to dry off. Members were imressed with the excellent new path and
look forward to a revisit in 2008, hopefully on a sunny day.
 |
 |
| "Enchanted Forest" | |
Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers members
were out in force for the last ramble of 2007. After an end-of-season meal at
Drummond's Restaurant, Pitlochry, the group visited the Enchanted Forest in
Faskally Wood. The event is based around Loch Dunmore, which is a fairly flat,
short route with no access barriers.
The focus of this year's Enchanted
Forest is 'Creation', with spectacular lighting effects being used to
illustrate the earth's history from its early volcanic state, the Ice Age and
the Jurassic era right through to modern times.
Forth & Tay would
like to thank the organisers of the Enchanted Forest and in particular, Hamish
Murray, Chairman of the Enchanted Forest Steering Group, for making it possible
for members to experience the show. "I've never seen anything like that in my
life" said one member afterwards. "It was wonderful".
 "Open country around Pittenweem" |
 "Overlooking Pittenweem Harbour" |
Members of Forth & Tay were out again
recently with the Fieldfare Trust looking at Core Paths in North East Fife. The
most recent audit started at West Braes, Pittenweem, moving out into open
farmland north and east of Pittenweem, then forming a circular route round by
the community woodland and back via the Arncroach to Pittenweem road.
 "Path launch" |
 "Loch Leven path" |
The new path from Vane Farm to Leven Woods
was opened recently. The path runs from Vane Farm on the south side of the loch
round to Leven Woods, crossing the River Leven via a new footbridge specially
created as part of the latest phase of the project. Wheelchair and scooter
users can access the path from Findatie Car Park on the main road between
Ballingry and Vane Farm. They then have the option of going to Leven Woods and
back or along to Vane Farm before returning to Findatie. Wheeled access is not
yet possible from Vane Farm as the underpass is stepped