Introduction

We are a local group of the Ramblers' Association. An organisation set up to promote walking, protect rights of way, campaign for access to open country and defend the beauty of the countryside in England, Scotland and Wales. We organise walks that offer something to suit all tastes, from climbing Munros to a comfortable stroll, all our walks are graded based on length, severity of any climbing and difficulty. We aim to provide an easier grade (C) walk most weekends and a more challenging grade (A) walk at least every month. Although our leaders are experienced walkers the rest of the group have varying abilities and experience so don’t be put off by lack of stamina or experience. If you have any doubts about a walk speak to the leader before the walk and he/she will offer advice about the exact nature of the walk.

How to join a walk

Look at the list of future walks below to find one that appeals and click on it.

Clicking on any of the walks will display details of that walk together with an option to contact the leader of the walk either by e-mail or telephone. You must contact the leader at least two days before the walk as there may occasionally be late changes to the walk.

If this is your first walk with us, the leader will provide further information and answer any questions you may have about the walk.

After that all you need to do is come along and enjoy your walk. We will try to make your walk as pleasant as possible but it is Scotland so don’t expect constant sunshine!

Who can walk with us

Anyone is welcome to join us on any of our walks (see below for restrictions if accompanied by children or dogs), but if you enjoy walking with us and intend to walk regularly, we will expect you to join the Ramblers' Association after about three walks. Full details of membership including categories and subscriptions costs are available at http://www.ramblers.org.uk

About our walking programme

Our walking programme is prepared on a monthly basis and we aim to have at least four walks visible at all times. Assitance with providing walks is always appreciated be it an offer to lead a walk or just a suggestion of where we should walk.

Leaders

Our leaders are not professional guides; they are simply members of the Ramblers prepared to lead.

Grading of walks

Please note that the gradings given for walks are intended only as a rough guide. For further information on a particular walk, contact the leader.

A+ Severe.

Arduous walks for the experienced and the very fit, involving some or all of the following factors. On high ground; with exposure; with steep ascents/descents; at a brisk pace; distances over 24 kms. This is the standard grading for hill-walking in winter conditions.

A Strenuous.

For the fit, involving some or all of the following factors. On high or rough ground; with steep ascents or descents; distances over 24 kms.

B+ Moderate to strenuous.

For the reasonably fit.

B Moderate.

Demanding higher standards of fitness and stamina than C +

C+ Easy to moderate.

For those with improving fitness, offering some modest challenges but less than 17 kms long.

C Easy.

Mainly on level ground and often on paths or tracks. Suitable for beginners. Less than 12 kms. Walkers with no or limited experience of walking in winter conditions must contact the leader at least 24 hours prior to embarking on the walk.

Consideration for other members of the group

As groups are usually made up of members with varying walking abilities, please consider those at the back. Leaders will set and control the pace of the walk to reflect these differing abilities, and will not allow the pace of walk to be dictated by a few members of the party who may tend to force the pace. Conversely failure to maintain a reasonable pace can cause problems and spoil the enjoyment of the group as a whole. Failure to observe these considerations may deter members from fully enjoying the walks or developing gradually on to higher grades of walks.

In the interest of safety, members should stay in sight of the Leader at all times and should not leave the walk without first advising him/her.

Liability

Please note that neither the Ramblers nor the walk leaders can accept responsibility or liability for any accident which may occur on any group walk. Although every effort is made to ensure the safety of parties, it is pointed out that persons coming on walks do so entirely at their own risk.

Meeting Places

We do not, currently, have a central meeting place from which to share cars to the start of a walk  but members are encouraged to make their own ad-hoc arrangements with other walkers who live nearby.

Car sharing

We encourage walkers to meet in a convenient car park so that car-sharing can be arranged to the start of the walk. On occasion we arrange for mini-bus transport (for which we charge) and this is noted in our programme.

Food and Refreshment

Food and a hot drink should be carried; sweet treats or chocolate can provide additional energy.

Liquid intake is important even on a cold winter’s day.

Similarly, a breakfast before you commence a walk may be considered essential.

Equipment

A map relevant to the walk, a compass plus a knowledge of how to use it, are desirable and probably essential on ‘A’ grade walks.

A whistle is essential for summoning help or indicating an emergency.

If you are going on mountains in winter an ice axe and crampons together with the knowledge of how to use them is essential.

Clothing

In Scotland, on or among the hills, it may be winter any day of the year and to cope with the wide variations of weather and temperature the “layer” principle of clothing should be adopted. Several layers of clothing should be taken including an outer windproof and hooded waterproof layer.
Walking boots are considered essential for hill walking.
Warm and waterproof clothing should be carried and strong footwear should be worn.
Don’t forget a hat and gloves and bear in mind that you can at any time meet wind-driven rain, hail or snow.

Denims are not suitable as they get wet very quickly and do not dry out.

If unsure as to what clothing to take contact the leader before the walk.

Photographs & social media

We publish photographs of group walks on this website and on social media. Please inform the walk leader if you do not wish to be included.

Children

Children on walks are the specific responsibility of a parent or other accompanying adult. Leaders are not responsible for children brought on walks.

Dogs

Sorry, but except for registered assistance dogs, dogs are not allowed on the Group’s walks although this policy is reviewed regularly. If there is sufficient demand and leaders who are prepared to allow dogs on their walk, we may allow them in the future.

Ticks

Unfortunately, ticks are an ever-present problem when walking and walkers are urged to avoid walking through tall bracken when wearing shorts or with bare arms and to examine themselves carefully after a walk to ensure they have not acquired any ticks during the walk.

For more information about ticks, what they look like, the areas of your body most likely to harbour ticks and how to remove them click here.

Insurance

Please note that neither the Group nor the leader can accept responsibility for any accident which may occur on any group walk. Although every effort is made to ensure the safety of parties, it is pointed out that persons coming on walks do so entirely at their own risk. Personal accident insurance is recommended. There is public liability insurance taken out by the Ramblers' Association covering certain eventualities - this policy does not however cover acts by persons who are not fully paid-up members of the RA.