Saturday31 January - Drumdreel Wood & Arraty Craigs, 6.5 miles

It was a rather damp morning with low cloud as 14 walkers met at the Pillars of Hercules car park.  Pete Trant led the group westwards along the Kilgour road and into Barrington Muir plantation.  The paved surface ended when we entered Drumdreel Woods but the paths were still good underfoot as we started to loop through the woods and began to climb gently uphill.  After a short coffee break we continued uphill to gain a path that began our return towards the start. 

We followed this undulating path with increasingly steep slopes on our right and the occasional gaps in the trees to our left.  Unfortunately the low cloud and mist prevented us enjoying the views towards Strathmiglo and Auchtermuchty that these gaps would otherwise have afforded.  As the path dipped down into Arraty Den, we caught a glimpse of the waterfall dropping from Arraty Craigs far above us. 

Continuing under the Craigs and the slopes of Black Hill we emerged from the woodland to follow the Beech Hedges path towards Falkland.  Having had our lunch break at the far end of the Beech Hedges, we dropped down to the Maspie Burn opposite Falkland House before turning north to return to the start at Pillars of Hercules.

Saturday 24 January - Pool of Muckhart to Rumbling Bridge, 7.5miles

Mike Brown led 13 walkers from Coronation Hall at Pool of Muckhart on an overcast. but what turned out to be a relatively rain free walk, which was good news considering the heavy rain wehad over the past week.  Among the group were four who were walking with the group for the first time.  As expected some of the route was very muddy but we did not encounter any flooding problems.

We left the start to follow a track before crossing the A823 but unfortunately the views of the Ochils were hidden behind cloud and mist. We then followed a road to Naemoor farm, observing swans, geese and a couple of herons on the pond. Skirting the farm we strode out on an open exposed stretch where it was rather cold and windy.

Reaching the River Devon we walked along the bank above the rather full and fast flowing water. As we arrived at Crook of Devon there was a field full of farmed deer, including several stags.

After taking photographs we continued through the village before turning onto the Devon Way to regain the river. Following a lunch stop we entered the gorge where there were spectacular falls following the heavy rain.

After several stops on the viewing platforms and many photographs we came to the double stone bridge which was built in 1713.

We then followed a minor road past Blairhill before making our way into open countryside and eventually back to the start. Once again unfortunately the views of the Gargunnock hills and the distant Wallace Monument were well hidden in the mist. However it was pleasant to see several clumps of snowdrops in flower, surely a sign that Spring is on its way!

Report by Mike Brown, photos by Trevor Abell

Wednesday 21 January - Bridge of Allan to Dumyat, 8.5 miles 

Joyce Gavine led a group of 15 walkers, including two visitors from Linlithgow and one visitor from Dunfermline and west Fife,  to the summit of Dumyat from Bridge of Allan.  The earlier weather forecast  was for rain however, on the day, the forecast had improved and we had a dry day with some sun and a bit of blue sky.

We  started the walk from Blairforkie Drive in Bridge of Allan going along paths and some road walking  which led us to the path behind Stirling University.  This path  ended at  a  minor road. which we crossed and continued upward  for a short distance to  access  a woodland path, after crossing a small burn and up a short sharp incline on this path, it was time for a coffee break.  Then we started the ascent towards Dumyat, stopping at Yellow Craig viewpoint to admire the view and take a group photo.  

Since the weather was favourable, we were able  to climb to the top of Dumyat where  another group photo was taken.  At the summit it was windy so  we found a sheltered spot just below the summit for a lunch break.

We descended  Dumyat by the  main path, once down, we  crossed the historic Sheriffmuir road and made our way on a path towards and then along the side of  Cockburn Reservoir.  After leaving the reservoir we again had some road walking before we entered  the  Wolf's Hole Quarry and Mine Woods path which took us down hill and back towards Blairforkie Drive.

  Well earned coffee, cakes and scones were enjoyed by 14 of the walkers at the Red Herring Cafe in Bridge of Allan  

Report & photos from Joyce Gavine

Saturday 17 January - Comrie to Twenty Shilling Wood, 10.3 miles

The walk started at Comrie car park, led by Sarah Martin.   We headed out through Comrie on the A85, down towards Earthquake House and then onto Kindrochet, passing Aberuchill Castle. 

Continuing past Dalchonzie Power Station and onto the disused railway line and, after crossing the A85, we entered the Dunira Estate.  We returned to Comrie via 20 Shilling Wood and the path alongside Lednock Burn. 

 Photos by Tom Reid

Wednesday 14 January - Luncarty to Perth,  6 miles

12 walkers met outside SPAR in Luncarty, most having come by bus from Perth.  Pat Townsend led us, rather gingerly to begin with, on unexpectedly icy pavements towards the river.  Once we gained the earth paths beside the river the going eased considerably and we were soon making good progress towards Perth.  We stopped for a coffee break at the fishing hut at Denmarkfield and then set off again, to walk beneath the span of the Destiny Bridge and on to the confluence of the Almond and the Tay.  After passing under the railway and then the A9 we crossed the Almond on the old Almond Bridge.  We then picked up the path beside the Tay, which we followed down to the North Inch.  Some of us stopped for a lunch break on the North Inch before completing the walk into the centre of Perth but other, less hungry, walkers pressed on without a break.

Saturday 10 January - Five Mile Wood to Stanley, 9 miles

A little snow overnight had left the roads slightly dodgy but the planned car shuttle from Stanley to Five Mile Wood worked well and 16 of us, led by Ian Stokes, got away a bit late, on a chilly morning.  We passed through Five Mile Wood to our tea break just on the far side of the wood. The route then became interesting as we walked through fields, past three small frozen lochans, to Airntully. 

From Airntully, we followed the footpath to Taymount Wood. On the way out of Airntully we met Mike T, who had devised our route for the West Stormont Woodland Group. They call it the Stanley Three Woods Nature Walk. Mike walked with us through Taymount Wood. We enjoyed his company.  We stopped for lunch at the fishing hut at King’s Myre. We then left Taymount Wood and made our way back to Stanley via the old railway line and Shiel Hill. 

It had turned out to be an excellent day and an excellent winter walk that everybody seemed to enjoy.

Report by Ian Stokes, photos by Tom Reid & Ian Stokes

Wednesday 7 January - St. Andrews to Craigtoun Park circular, 7.5 miles

A  good number of walkers braved the cold weather and showers of rain and some wet snow  for the first outing of the year.  Starting from the Petheram Bridge car park in St. Andrews, Coral Craik led the group on to the Lade Braes path and into Lumbo Den woods.  We took a lunch break in Craigtoun Park and some walkers visited the cafe there to warm up and dry out a little for the return.  There were a few icy patches to avoid but, having all arrived safely back in St. Andrews, some of us repaired to the Museum cafe before heading home.

Report by Coral Craik, photos by Ian Stokes