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Around 30-35 members and volunteers set off from the Falkirk Wheel,
crossing the swing bridge to access the canal towpath to Bonnybridge. The
weather was rather overcast. On approaching Bonnybridge there was a wonderful
splash of colour.
Several local residents
obviously take a pride in their gardening and one resident had cultivated the
ground adjacent to the towpath with a variety of plants, which produced the
colour. The group stopped for lunch on the towpath at Bonnybridge. On the
return the sun broke through briefly, and the water was so calm that there were
beautiful reflections of the trees and bushes. The conversation focussed on two
large modern houses with two identical pieces of wrought iron artwork on the
hillside not far from the canal. Objects of curiosity! Could that refer to the
objects and the observers at the same time?
On
arriving back at the Wheel it was in motion; a far better experience to observe
than being on one of the boats which are carried on the Wheel. It is a
remarkable piece of engineering, which looks so simple yet you wonder why
nobody had thought of the idea before!
The cafe
facilities at the Wheel are ideal as a starting and finishing point.
Remarkably, the weather was dry for the duration of the ramble. In the morning
it had been wet shortly before arriving and it began to rain on the way back to
the car park. Hopefully the season will continue in a similar fashion.
 Levenmouth Plantation |
 Breaking for lunch |
 Almost done |
 Smell the soup! |
The season's second ramble was a sponsored walk around Loch Leven from
Findatie Car Park to Loch Leven 's Larder. It was organised by Lighter Life
counsellor Laureen Kenny. Thirty seven members and volunteers turned out for
the walk along with a number of Lighter Life clients.
Two of the group's volunteers, Bruce and Jan,
along with A2B Van Hire owner Clarence and A1 Minibus driver, Harry, are at
various stages of the Lighter Life programme and have lost a combined total of
over eighteen stones in the past year.
The
walkers undertook a 10k, whilst the disabled ramblers did 7.5k, raising
valuable funds for Forth & Tay in the process. Although there was a cold
wind, the sun shone towards the end of the walk. Laureen had organised soup,
sandwiches and coffee at the end for all participants, which everyone enjoyed
in the sunshine on the terrace at the Larder.
Our thanks to Laureen for a wonderful spread and a most memorable
day, and to everyone who raised funds for the group as well as to Loch Leven 's
Larder for the magnificent food - and to our magnificent volunteers who make it
all possible.
 Good forest track |
 Starting to climb |
 Taking a break |
 Noreen's first ramble |
The latest outing found FTDR rambling in Glen Doll in the Angus Glens.
It was the group's first visit to the area but, judging by the positive
feedback from all who took part, it will not be the last.
In
ideal weather conditions the 30 strong group accessed the route, which is
surrounded by beautiful scenery. Glen Doll provides a wonderful range of trees
with the stunning backdrop of high and rugged cliffs. The route taken, mostly
on forestry tracks, ended near 'Jock's Road', which leads over the hills to
Braemar.
 Crossing the Viaduct |
 Negotiating the gate |
 View of Loch Earn |
The number of participants in this ramble had to be restricted due to
lack of car parking space at the top of the glen and the difficulties involved
in trying to get a large number of scooters across the A85 if we used the
larger car park beside the venison burger van. In spite of that 34 people took
part including a large turn out of our faithful volunteers. The ramble will be
repeated next year for those who were not lucky enough to get a place.
The route started at the top of Glen Ogle six miles north of
Lochearnhead and proceeded down the old railway track, crossing a spectacular
railway viaduct, which is visible from the road. Because the path is elevated
it enabled the group to take in the stunning scenery of the mountains and Loch
Earn. The views of Ben Vorlich (985m) and Stuc a' Chroin (975m) were
magnificent in the lovely weather conditions. Many agreed that this was one of
the best rambles the group had experienced.
 Ash mountains |
 Heading for Preston Island |
The small car park in Low Valleyfield was just large enough to cope with
the three A2B Van Hire vans and numerous cars on the latest FTDR ramble. After
unloading the fleet of scooters, the volunteer drivers had to move the vans to
the car park in Culross to make room for the cars which had been parked on the
roadside.
This is one of the most popular walks in the area,
and offers spectacular views across the River Forth to Bo'ness and all the way
along to the Forth Bridges.
The Torry Bay Local Nature Reserve
(LNR) route to Preston Island , from Low Valleyfield, is a circular one. The
LNR, established in 1996, stretches from Longannet Power Station to beyond
Comrie Point. There are various flat and wide, easily-accessible routes along
and through the reserve to suit everyone, including wheelchair users.
The mud flats provide an abundance of food for the birds, such
as shelduck, wigeon, curlew, redshank and dunlin that overwinter at Torry Bay .
The ash lagoons are reclaimed land, created from the coal burning operations at
Longannet. The ash is mixed with water and pumped along pipes to the artificial
lagoons - now a haven for wildlife, thanks to extensive tree planting.
Preston Island , although no longer surrounded by water,
features several well-maintained ruins of early 19th century industrial use. A
coal mine, established by Sir Robert Preston, was shut following an explosion,
but the buildings were later to accommodate an illicit distillery.
 Harry 'the Bus' |
 Rained off again |
The group set out on mobility scooters along the shore road from
Broughty Ferry to Monifeith and back. Last year they took the same route and
from beginning to end they were drenched with rain through and through even
with 'waterproof' covering. However there was a great bonus at the end of that
first 'dreich' outing. Before the members boarded the minibus and cars the rain
stopped and they were wonderfully entertained by a school of porpoises in the
Tay estuary.
With this in mind a return visit was arranged this
summer in the hope of having a repeat performance by the porpoises. Sadly that
did not happen. However the weather did offer a repeat performance. Everyone
was soaked to the skin for a second time! Because of the inclement weather, the
ramble was cut short and most of the ramblers adjourned to the popular 'Glass
Pavilion' on the waterfront at Broughty Ferry for a very welcome cup of tea and
coffee. Third time lucky? We think not! It would be difficult to persuade
anyone to give it a third go. Fortunately FTDR have enjoyed rain-free outings
most of the other rambles this session.
There were two rambles under the banner of Fife Outdoor Access Festival
this year. The first was a short 'scoot' from Woodside to Stenton Pond. Forth
& Tay members were joined by several members of the public. Stenton Pond is
in the Finglassie precinct of Glenrothes at the side of Foxton Drive. It is
secluded from view by a tree-lined verge along the roadside. It is home to
numerous species of wild birds. The second festival ramble was to Falkland
Estate, an old FTDR favourite
 Lady Mary's Walk |
 Volunteers on the lunch break |
FTDR visited Lady Mary's Walk in Crieff for the third time on a
blustery September day. The group had previously accessed this route in 2004
and again in 2005. On that fateful outing in 2005 a tree had been brought down
by high winds the previous day, blocking the path near the end of the route.
However, due to the prompt action of our quick-thinking volunteers, a Perth and
Kinross Ranger was contacted, a saw was produced and the tree was cut and
removed enabling the ramblers to complete the circuit.
The
visit on this occasion was equally as enjoyable and although less eventful
there was a surprise in store for two of the participants. Alex McLeod Kenneth,
one of the members, engaged in conversation with one of the volunteers. He soon
discovered that they had been pupils at Thornton Junior Secondary School in
Fife. Alex happened to ask 'Did you know Joe Seath?' and was overwhelmed with
the answer 'I am Joe Seath'. What a wonderful reunion after a gap of 56 years!
(Showing your age, boys!)
 Lundin Links from Silverburn |
 Scoonie Golf Course |
 Lunch in the gardens at Silverburn |
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The first September ramble was to Silverburn Estate, Leven. The route
starts at the promenade in Leven and passes along the front of Leven Golfing
Society and Leven Thistle Golf Clubs before heading out through the houses in
East Links. There is a short, new section of path at the foot of the car park
at Scoonie Golf Club. The group then headed for the gardens at Silverburn,
where they stopped for lunch. On the way back local resident, June Ramsay,
repeated last year's kind gesture and presented the group with a batch of
freshly baked scones, which were enjoyed by all.
 Dunglass |
 Lunch at the Kirkhouse Inn |
For the last ramble of the year FTDR travelled to Strathblane, a village
lying north-west of Glasgow. Strathblane Parish Church very kindly allowed us
to use the church hall facilities before we set off. The route taken was a
section of old railway line running from Strathblane to Lennoxtown, which
continues for several miles beyond. This was formerly part of the Blane Valley
Railway which was founded in the 1860s. It is so encouraging to see that
railway walks are on the increase throughout the country, especially as they
tend to be flat and suitable for our needs. The path is tarmac for the majority
of the way.
The route provided wonderful views of the Campsie
Fells. Fortunately the ramblers were able to appreciate the scenery in bright
and crisp weather conditions.
Afterwards members made their way
to the Kirkhouse Inn at Strathblane for a late lunch. The ramblers plan to
return to the area next year to visit Mugdock Country Park which is only a few
miles from Strathblane