You may be wondering what is happening with EWG.

The present guidelines are that organised groups should have no more than 5 households when going out and that social distancing should be maintained. They also specify that a risk assessment has to be made and documented for every outing. There are other stipulations but these are the main ones to affect EWG.

Bearing in mind the informal nature of the group we feel that these requirements mean that, for the time being, the walking program should be kept ‘on hold’.

Keep safe and hopefully in the not too distant future we will see you on a hill somewhere.

Since joining EWG, I’ve spent 15 years preparing for this moment but I now feel ready to take on the challenge of scaling the mighty Dumyat.  This hill has achieved a near legendary status in the folklore of EWG and rumour has it that ghostly figures can be spotted there on most Wednesday evenings as they descend eagerly to the nearest watering hole.  And like these ghostly figures our route up this “rocky cub of the Ochils” is a bit rougher but possessed of considerable character.

Normally a 40 minute walk, we will, in the finest navigational traditions of Dumyat baggers, take the long way round thereby making it nearer 4 hours – but ineffably far more interesting.  We start from the small car park just east of Blairlogie on the A91 east of Stirling.  Let’s meet there are 10 o’clock for a 10.30 start.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/dumyat-blairlogie.shtml

Usual stuff about shouting out if you want or are looking for a lift.

Hope you can join me on Sunday for my initiatory pilgrimage to this seminal summit.

And, of course, also here along with the rest of 2020’s programme – carefully crafted for your delectation. https://easywalkinggroup.co.uk/2020/01/23/walks-for-2020/

All brought to you by EWG Productions Inc!

The eagle eyed among you may notice a slight change to the advertised walk. We will going on a circular walk from the village of Broughton – slightly shorter (in view of the unsettled weather forecasts) and no need to shuffle cars around.

Broughton Heights and Trahenna Hill.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/borders/broughton-heights.shtml

Broughton Heights is the highest of the fine range of hills lying to the east of the village. With grassy ridges and steep heathery slopes, the hills gives some superb views (weather permitting). This route takes in Broughton Heights itself before returning over Hammer Head to take in Trahenna Hill.

We start from the Walkers’ car park at end of the track past Broughton Place. Walkers are permitted to drive up the private track, passing the castle at Broughton Place, to reach a car park by an old cottage at NT 119374.

The Google Maps link is:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B037’21.4%22N+3%C2%B023’57.8%22W/@55.5838861,-3.354079,11.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d55.6226!4d-3.3994

Let’s meet at 10.00 for 10.30 which should give anyone travelling from Edinburgh a bit of a long lie.

This Sunday we’re walking from Lower Largo to St Monans, This section of the Fife Coast Path starts with a long beach covered in shells, and then passes a nature reserve popular with birdwatchers, before rounding Kincraig Head on high cliffs. Elie provides a pretty stopping point and from there the coast is attractive, passing the ruins of a clifftop castle before reaching St. Monans.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/largo-st-monans.shtml

The famous (infamous) chain walk is just before Elie. Unfortunately the tides don’t look to be in favour of those brave souls wanting to have a go but we can always have a careful look.

The walk should take about 4 hours so let’s meet at the car park in Lower Largo for a leisurely start of 10.30 for 11.00. As always the weather will be unpredictable but the only thing we can be sure of is that there will be a cool (cold) wind – so a good windproof jacket will be essential.

An old favourite but a great walk for this time of year. There is unlikely to be any significant snow but it is best to be prepared for some at the top. Ben Ledi tempted us with heavy rain showers and then produced excellent snow, sun and wind on the top ( some even saw a Brocken Spectre – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocken_spectre )

Start at the Ben Vrackie car park which is just northwest of Moulin. Turn left off the A924 immediately behind the Moulin Hotel and follow the road uphill and continue straight ahead at a junction. The car park is a short distance up the lane on the right. Begin the walk by continuing up the tarmac lane, reaching a second higher car park on the right after 250m or so.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/perthshire/ben-vrackie.shtml

The walk is only 3 or 4 hours so lets have a leisurely start and meet at the carpark at 10.00 for 10.30.

I can’t make it this week but as always if you want to get involved in carsharing I’ll see what can be done.

Happy New Year to one and all. Time to blow the cobwebs away and to start losing some of the extra pounds that I’m sure everyone has gained.

We start the year off as usual with a wee look at Ben Ledi. Who knows what the weather will have in store for us. It could be wind, rain, sunshine (possibly) or even a touch of the white stuff. So pack your rucksack and be prepared.

Let’s meet at 9.30 for a 10.00 start in the carpark. To find the carpark turn off the A84, following the sign for Strathyre Forest Cabins, to cross the Garbh Uisge to the south of Loch Lubnaig; on the far side of the bridge turn left to reach the parking area. This is very popular and often full in high season so it is a good idea to arrive sharp.

Yahoo has altered the system for sending emails so if anyone is aware of someone who comments they have stopped receiving the emails then they need to alter their settings in Yahoo.

Hi all.

***The Sheep Hied lunch is FULL***.

However I am asking the venue if there’s space for a few more. I’ll run a waiting list as you know there’s always a few drop outs.
If things change for you and you can’t make it LET ME KNOW so I can give the place to someone who is waiting

If you just want to join us for the cafe, walk and pub that’s great – come along.

Sue

The walk this Sunday is Ben Venue, it may be small in stature but it is a mountain of real character, the finest in the Trossachs when seen across Loch Venachar, Loch Achray or Loch Katrine. The ascent is a great walk with both boggy and rocky ground higher up, and stunning views from the summit. It is not in view from Loch Ard, which results in this approach being quieter than that from Loch Achray. Nonetheless the beautiful broadleaved woodland of the lower Ledard Glen provides a picturesque approach, though the upper glen is boggy. Once on the ridge, the views are magnificent.

Ben Venue from Ledard Farm

There is a good sized layby on the road alongside Loch Ard opposite the track to Ledard Farm grid ref NN460 022 for the techies among us. Let’s meet at 9.30 for a 10.00 start.

It’s that time of year again.

The clocks have gone back so it’s time to start thinking of next year – spring, summer and all that beautiful weather.

So put your thinking caps on and let us have some ideas for next year’s walks. They don’t have to be spectacular, mammoth expeditions just something that you think you and others would enjoy as a Sunday out and about.

I looking forward to my mailbox being inundated with ideas.

This Sunday’s walk is Beinn nan Oighreag behind Killin. Ranking amongst the highest of the Corbetts, Beinn nan Oighreag was briefly thought to top 3000 feet. The approach from Glen Lochay is perhaps the most attractive, following an old path to the shielings of the Allt Dhuin Croisg.

We need to park carefully – taking care not to cause an obstruction – by the start of tarmac track branching from Glen Lochay minor road at NN539352, about 700m from where the two roads up the glen join up.

Lets meet at 10.00 for a 10.30 start. As usual the weather is unpredictable with some forecasts being good and others not so good. So remember this is Scotland.

The usual carsharing thing applies.