TEN members of the Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club met at Boleside car park, under Galafoot Bridge, Galashiels, on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.

The walkers set off along the riverside on the Southern Upland Way up over the busy A7 and on to the Gala Hill.

The Southern Upland Way continued to be followed above Galashiels and down to the Galashiels Academy into the Policies then up over the hill past the millennium cairn along the Southern Upland Way until we reached Fernilea farm. At the farm, the group branched left and returned to the riverside of the fast flowing Tweed.

At the fishing hut along the Tweed lunch was taken in a pleasant atmosphere on a beautiful day amongst leaping salmon. Also present were herons, a pair of dippers, mallards and goosanders.

It really summed up what group walking meant - wildlife, country views, healthy exercise and most of all friendship.

Walking in the hills, whether remote or local to population areas is usually quite solitary. On this Sunday it must have been that most of the local walking groups were out following the same general route as we passed several other walkers and groups including I believe a group of pupils from Galashiels, accompanied by Border Rangers, as well as the Coldstream Ramblers and another group from Selkirk.

After lunch we continued along the Tweed to the old Tweed Bridge which was undergoing major constructional repairs. We came up onto the roadway then back down to the side of the river which was followed back to Boleside car park.

It appeared that everyone enjoyed this sunny short winter walk and we all look forward to the next one on Sunday, December 29, meeting at Newton St Boswells car park on the opposite side of the main road from the Council headquarters. The walk is again using the Tweed as a base to a circular walk. The meeting time is 10am.

On New Year’s Day, a walk is planned to the Three Brethren, meeting at Selkirk Rugby Club car park at 12noon. This is the walk to blow the Hogmanay cobwebs away.

Any queries regarding either of these walks can be addressed to our Secretary, Evelyn Horsburgh on 01750 76214.