Gay Outdoor Club: Edinburgh Walks 2008

Contact details for Edinburgh Group

Intending participants for these events should always ring the contact beforehand to check the detailed arrangements regarding meeting times and places, food, accommodation, etc. Everything possible will be done to keep to this programme, but weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances may necessitate changes at the last minute. Ring the organiser beforehand to find out if there have been any last-minute changes. It also helps the organiser to know that you are attending in order to help to arrange transport. Bookings at Scottish Youth hostels may be made via the SYHA web site (www.syha.org.uk) or via the central reservations on 08701 553255.

Thursday 3 - Sunday 6 January. Mar Lodge. Post-Hogmanay long weekend, based in a three-star self catering apartment in Mar Lodge, near Braemar.

Friday 8 - Sunday 10 February. Weekend somewhere snowy. Ski-ing if conditions permit, otherwise hillwalking.

Sunday 24 February. A 'hybrid' walk - a bit of gentle (circumambulation of Gladhouse Reservoir, famed for its wintering goose population) and a bit of rough (the gentle 800' ascent of Mauldslie Hill and The Kipps). About 12km and 4 hours. Meet at the anglers' car park. Not too taxing but reasonable footwear advised. Bring packed lunch.

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 March. Weekend at Slochd, possible cross country skiing.

Friday 21 - Monday 24 March. Joint Easter Weekend with GOC Transpennine at Ninebanks YH. Communal evening meals. The hostel is now fully booked, but check with co-ordinator in case of any cancellations.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 April. Arran, ridge walking.

Friday 2 - Monday 5 May. Glenbrittle, scrambling and walking in the Cuillin. Joint with 18-39.

Friday 23 - Monday 26 May. Wilderness backpacking, Fisherfield,

Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June. Achmelvich. Hillwalking in Assynt - Suilven, Quinag and Ben More Assynt are all possibilities. Accommodation is either at Achmelvich Youth Hostel (bookings on 08701 553255) or at the adjacent Shore Campsite (Mr & Mrs I MacLeod; 01571 844393; Fax 01571 844782).

Friday 27 - 29 June. Mountain biking.

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 July. Torridon, hillwalking and some easy scrambling. Objectives are Liathach and possibly Beinn Eighe. I'm intending to use Torridon YH. Could members make their own bookings with the SYHA.

Friday 1 - Monday 4 August. Annual Outdoor Gathering, Worcester.

Friday 15 - Sunday 17 August. Edinburgh Festival weekend.

Friday 22 - Sunday 24 August. Scottish Highlands. Camping weekend near Corrievuic. A chance to get into the Gleann Fhiodhaig hills.

Friday 12 - Sunday 14 September. At the AGM in Oban it was agreed that the GOC would be happy to be associated with and to help the Mountain Bothies Association in caring for a bothy in recognition and thanks for the presence of bothies which provide much needed accommodation for walkers and to promote, through our work, the GOC. Culra bothy in the Central highlands is "our bothy" - at the foot of Ben Alder, southwest of Dalwhinnie on the route through to Corrour. It's a busy and important bothy.
The building needs some maintenance - mainly painting to protect the wood. Two members have installed gutters and done some woodwork repairs already. In general the bothy is in very good order.
For the weekend of Friday 12th - Sunday 14th we are planning a workparty. The more there are of us the easier it will be to get through the work - painting the outside and the inside of the two smaller rooms - nothing too strenuous. If you do come and I know of you coming I will feed you - it will be basic, safe for vegetarians and carnivores, but not food faddists. I think that a fair number may come by train and bring bikes - it's necessary to book in advance. A bike is very helpful and saves a lot of time in getting there. If we get through the work and the weather is at all kind we can go up a Munro or two - they abound in that region. A party rather than work atmosphere will dominate - come and promote the GOC, climb a hill and do some good all at the same time - who says men can't multi-task! Contact the co-ordinator if you intend to help.

Friday 26 - Sunday 28 September. The Glen Lyon weekend has been postponed/cancelled.

Sunday 28 September. Pentland Hills Scald Law Circuit. Meet at Threipmuir Reservoir Car Park. Scald Law is the Pentlands' highest peak. The circuit includes West and East Kip before climbing Scald Law (579m). 12km 320m ascent, about 4hrs. It's possible to extend (include Carnethy Hill) or shorten (return after the Kips) depending on what folk want to do on the day. It's possible to get there by bus from town. Lothian number 44 (from St Andrews Sq, or Haymarket) terminates at Balerno. It takes about 30 minutes to walk south from the Balerno terminus to the car park on quiet road. Check times at www.lothianbuses.com

Sunday 12 October. Edinburgh day walk. Walk along the Union canal from Edinburgh to Ratho. Meet at King's Theatre, 2 Leven St. Bring a packed lunch.

Friday 17 - Monday 19 October. Grey Corries, hillwalking and scrambling.

Friday 7 - Sunday 9 November. Ardgour,

Gay Outdoor Club: Edinburgh Walks 2009

Friday 10 - Monday 13 April. The joint Scottish Transpennine Easter weekend will be at Marthrown of Mabie.

For further information see the GOC Outdoors magazine.