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A big welcome back to walkers that have previously joined us for our walking festivals and we look forward to seeing some new faces on our 2022 Scottish Borders Walking Festival week this year hosted by Galashiels and the Village of Stow. Walks will be led by enthusiastic local walk leaders, with lots of walking experience and with a wealth of local knowledge. During the week at the Focus Centre there will be a tempting array of culinary delights served by Judith and Tracey and their team of helpers, to accompany that lovely cuppa that will be waiting for you, the same hospitality will be available for you at Stow if you should be finishing a walk in the village. Walkers on walks starting and finishing at other locations are also welcome to visit the Focus Centre after their walk to meet and socialise with other walkers.
Braw, Braw Lads (Galashiels Town Song)
Braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes,
Ye wander through the blooming heather,
But Yarrow braes nor Ettrick shaws,
Can match the lads o’ Gala Water.
But there is ane, a secret ane,
Aboon them a’l Loe him better,
And I’ll be his, and he’ll be mine,
The bonnie lad o Gala Water.
Altho his daddie was nae laird,
And tho’l had nae meikle tocher,
Yet, rich in kindest, truest love,
We’ll tent our flocks by Gala Water.
It ne’er was wealth, it ne’er was wealth,
That coft contentment, peace or pleasure,
The bands and bliss o’ mutual love,
O, that’s the warld’s chiefest treasure.
Written by Robert Burns
Description: This walk will fascinate you with ancient tales of the Galashiels area. The walk will include Lindean Kirk Borders Abbey Way to Cauldshiels Hill Fort and Abbotsford House – home to Sir Walter Scott – and then back to Galashiels.
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 08:30 / Depart: 09:00 / Return to
Focus Centre: 18:00
Distance: 16 miles / 26km
Ascent: 2100ft / 610m
Duration: 9hrs
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £11.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Walk to Torwoodlee Tower. Cross the Gala Water to Buckholm Tower. A wonderful opportunity to walk through Torwoodlee and Buckholm Estates, one of the oldest landholdings in the Galashiels area.
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
Grading: Moderate / Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 10:00 / Depart: 10:30 / Return to
Focus Centre: 16:00
Distance: 9 miles / 15km
Ascent: 900ft / 300m
Duration: 5hrs 30mins
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Starting with a steady climb out of town, this circular walk crosses farmland to Dobies Grave. We then continue over moorland to the reach the summit Trig Point and Huge Bells Cairn. Views over the Gala Water Valley on the return route by Ladhope.
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
Grading: Moderate / Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 10:00 / Depart: 10:30 / Return to
Focus Centre: 15:30
Distance: 9 miles / 15km
Ascent: 1300ft / 400m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: From Melrose follow the Tweed to Newstead and the foothills of the Eildons to Eildon Hall wood and Bowden return on St Cuthberts Way.
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Abbey Car Park, Buccleuch St, Melrose,
TD6 9GL
Depart: Check in: 10:10 / Depart: 10:30 / Return to
Melrose: 15:30
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Ascent: 1300ft / 400m
Duration: 5hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: A stroll around the Galashiels Town Trail. Hear about the towns history and historic buildings including The Reiver, Gala Aisle and Tea Street.
Date: Sunday 4th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 13:30 / Depart: 14:00 / Return to
Focus Centre: 16:00
Distance: 3 miles / 5km
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 2hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: A scenic linear ridge walks up through the Tweed Valley Forest Park, along the Minch Moor past the Three Brethren cairns, then down through Yair Hill forest to meet the Tweed and up to a lower level walk through woods and fields.
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Return
to Focus Centre: 18:00
Distance: 13 miles / 21km
Ascent: 2500ft / 750m
Duration: 7hrs 30mins
Group: Independent
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 15
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Starting outside the Henry Ballantyne Memorial Club we will walk along the A72 to the entrance to Caberston Forest. This walk will take in Seathope Law, Maiden Law, Redscar Law and Windlestraw Law.
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Bus Pick
Up: 16:30 / Return to Focus Centre: 17:00
Distance: 10 miles / 16km
Ascent: 2972ft / 906m
Duration: 6hrs 30mins
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 14
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Walk past Glen House, Far Shepherd at Glenshiel Banks, path to Loch Eddy and return by Quair Water. Roads and field paths.
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Bus Pick
Up: 15:45 / Return to Focus Centre: 17:00
Distance: 10 miles / 16km
Ascent: 918ft / 280m
Duration: 5hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 14
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Walk at an easy pace in woodland, moor, farm and riverside paths. From Tweedbank the route goes to historic Darnick village nd ascends by Rhymers Glen to Bowden Moor and to Cauldshiels Loch. Descend past Faldonside Loch and return by the river Tweed and Tweedbank park to return.
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Tweedbank Railway Station
Depart: Check in: 10:40 / Depart: 11:00 / Return to
Tweedbank: 15:00
Distance: 7 miles / 12km
Ascent: 656ft / 200m
Duration: 4hrs
Group: SBC Ranger
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: An undulating circular loop around lauder Common, the upland grazing land between Stow and Lauder. The elevation gives great views over the surrounding countryside. The route will take in some historical locations spanning from the Bronze age to WWII with a sprinkling of folklore! Terrain Grass tracks, rough in places.
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Lauder Common south side of road car
park between pylons and cattle grid. NT509471
Depart: Check in: 13:40 / Depart: 14:00 / Return: 17:30
Distance: 5 miles / 8km
Ascent: 500ft / 150m
Duration: 3hrs 30mins
Group: Stow Community Trust
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 12
Lunch/Boots: Boots
Description: Join Tweedbank, Walkerburn or other Walk It walks on Monday Contact details on Walk It web page www.scotborders.gov.uk/WalkIt
Date: Monday 5th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Various
Depart: Various
Distance: 2-3 miles
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 1-2hrs
Group: Walk It
Cost: FREE
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: A fine mix of habitats are encountered on this walk, initially passing through the delightful woodlands on Philiphaugh Estate before traversing the open hill on the ascent to the Three Brethren with its stone cairns and fine views. Then descending through Yair Forest and crossing the River Tweed as we follow the Southern Upland Way in to Galashiels.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Return
to Focus Centre: 16:00
Distance: 10 miles / 16km
Ascent: 1600ft / 500m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: SBC Ranger
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Starting at Selkirk High School, we walk up to join Borders Abbeys Way. Terrain is varied: minor roads, fields, way-marked paths. We'll pass Cauldshiels and Faldonside lochs. After crossing river Tweed, we turn along Boleside and follow Southern Upland Way to Gala Hill, then down through Scott Park to the Focus Centre.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Return
to Focus Centre: 16:30
Distance: 12 miles / 19km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 6hrs 30mins
Group: Independent
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 15
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Follow the River Gala to the Tweed and then go along Boleside as far as Lindean, and walk through Sunderland Hall estate to cross the A707. A short distance on good forest track brings us down to Yair Bridge where we return along the Tweed to the Old Tweed Bridge and confluence of the Tweed and the Ettrick. We continue to follow the river back to Galafoot.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:30 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Focus Centre: 16:00
Distance: 9 miles / 14km
Ascent: 705ft / 215m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch/Boots
Description: Walk at a gentle pace from Melrose to Rhymers stone and on to North Hill. Views and wildlife to see. Descend to the saddle and return to Melrose steep gradient on Eildon Hill North.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Abbey Car Park, Buccleuch St, Melrose,
TD6 9GL
Depart: Check in: 09:30 / Depart: 10:00 / Return: 12:30
Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 2hrs 30mins
Group: Walk It Further
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 20
Lunch/Boots: Boots
Description: A short afternoon walk with some climb and rough paths. To Gala Policies woodland, Gala Hill and Scott Park.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 14:00 / Depart: 14:30 / Return to
Focus Centre: 16:00
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 1hr 30mins
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Boots
Description: Join Stow Walk It or Darnick or Abbotsford or other Walk It walks on Tuesday Contact details on Walk It web page www.scotborders.gov.uk/WalkIt
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Various
Depart: Various
Distance: 2-3 miles
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 1-2 hours
Group: Stow Community Trust / Walk It
Cost: Free
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: One of the most spectacular walks in the Scottish Borders this walk will take you from St Mary's Loch, over the ancient Captains Road. From here we walk up Ettrick Valley and back over to the Loch of the Lowes via the Southern Upland Way.
Date: Wednesday 7th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Car park at James Hogg memorial,
St Mary's Loch
Depart: Check in: 08:30 / Depart: 09:00 / Return: 17:30
Distance: 15 miles / 24km
Ascent: 600m
Duration: 8hr 30mins
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £13.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: A lovely, slightly challenging long walk on the Southern Upland Way heading South from Lauder. Along track with views of the surrounding countryside and the Eildon Hills, finishing with a stroll along the river Tweed.
Date: Wednesday 7th September 2022
Grading: Long / Moderate
Starts from: Tweedbank Railway Station
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Return
to Tweedbank: 15:30
Distance: 11 miles / 18km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 5hrs 30mins
Group: Independent
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Through Speedys wood and other paths maintained by Earlston Paths Group, along the Leader Water to Leaderfoot. Drygrange Bridge at Leaderfoot are superb views up the river Tweed and of the Leaderfoot Viaduct. Pass Trimontium through Newstead and continue to return to Tweedbank station.
Date: Wednesday 7th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Tweedbank Railway Station
Depart: Check in: 09:00 / Bus Depart: 09:30 / Return
to Tweedbank: 15:00
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 5hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £13.00
Transport: Yes
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Join Stow WalkIt Galashiels or Clovenfords or other Walk It walks on Wednesday Contact details on Walk It web page www.scotborders.gov.uk/WalkIt
Date: Wednesday 7th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Various
Depart: Various
Distance: 2-3 miles
Ascent: N/A
Duration: 1-2 hrs
Group: Stow Community Trust / Walk It
Cost: Free
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: From Melrose we will walk to the Leaderfoot viaduct then on to Eildon Village, then to Bowden village via the Bowden Burn. We will stop to look at Bowden Kirk whose origins date back over 900 years. We will pick up the St Cuthbert’s way to go over the saddle of the Eildons and back to Melrose.
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Abbey Car Park, Buccleuch St, Melrose,
TD6 9GL
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return: 16:00
Distance: 11 miles / 19km
Ascent: 1100ft / 335m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £11.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: An undulating circular walk around the northern Galawater Valley, with fantastic views over Wedale then in the valley for the return leg. We`ll walk down through some of the many different land uses around Stow and highlight the work to reduce or improve environmental impact both past and present.
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Stow Station House at Railway Station,
Stow TD1 2SH
Depart: Check in: 09:30 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Stow: 15:00
Distance: 8 miles / 13.5km
Ascent: 870ft / 256m
Duration: 5hrs
Group: Stow Community Trust
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: We depart Galashiels and head past Gala Cricket Club before climbing over Meigle Hill to take in the surrounding views. We then walk through Clovenfords and make our way to Torwoodlee estate, home of the Pringle family. We will have the chance to explore the 2000 year old broch on the estate before making a stop at the 400 year old Torwoodlee Tower. From here we make our way back to Galashiels.
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Grading: Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return: 16:00
Distance: 11 miles / 19km
Ascent: 500m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: From the station cross at the roundabout and head for the start of the Dave Solway wood. Go through the wood, come out and go left to the roundabout, cross and take the path to Abbotsford. Toilets at Abbotsford. Walk Abbostford paths and come out at bottom gate. Take path under the road and head for the river which will take us back to the station.
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Tweedbank Railway Station
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Tweedbank: 12:30
Distance: 4 miles / 6km
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 2hrs 30mins
Group: Independent / WalkIt Further
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 20
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: Join Stow WalkIt, Earlston or other Walk It walks on Thursday Contact details on Walk It web page ww.scotborders.gov.uk/WalkIt
Date: Thursday 8th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Various
Depart: Various
Distance: 2-3 miles / 3-4km
Ascent: N/A
Duration: N/A
Group: Walk It
Cost: Free
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: By a country mile this is the longest and most demanding walk of the festival. Take in the major hills that surround Galashiels - known to some as 'The Gala Alps'.
Date: Friday 9th September 2022
Grading: Very Strenuous
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 08:00 / Depart: 8:30 / Return: 18:30
Distance: 22 miles / 36km
Ascent: 980m
Duration: 10hrs
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £13.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: A circular walk with lots of wild flowers and birds to see. From Glenkinnon Burn walk uphill on the historic route to Williamhope and on to Broomy Law. Views from the hilltops then descend to Yair and return to Glenkinnon Burn.
Date: Friday 9th September 2022
Grading: Moderate/Strenuous
Starts from: Glenkinnon Burn parking area TD1 3LH
NT436439
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Glenkinnon: 16:00
Distance: 9 miles / 14km
Ascent: 1300ft / 400m
Duration: 6hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Follow St Cuthberts Way and Borders Abbeys Way to Wallace statue and continue by the Tweed to Mertoun Bridge. Return via the Crystal Well and Mule Gang and St Boswells for a varied walk with history and riverside wildlife en route.
Date: Friday 9th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Newtown St Boswells Car Park (opposite
toilets) TD6 0RS
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Newtown: 15:00
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Ascent: 900ft / 300m
Duration: 5hrs
Group: SBC Ranger
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Exploring the medieval heritage of Stow. Learn about the historic sites you visit along the walk, including St Mary`s Well. Terrain: pavement, grass paths and fields. Walk will end at Stow Archive, Stow Town Hall.
Date: Friday 9th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Stow Station House at Railway Station,
Stow TD1 2SH
Depart: Check in: 13:40 / Depart: 14:00 / End to Stow
Town Hall: 16:30
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4km
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 2hrs 30mins
Group: Stow Community Trust
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 20
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: Join a Walk It walk on Friday Contact details on Walk It web page www.scotborders.gov.uk/WalkIt
Friday walk will include a Clovenfords / Galashiels walk.
Date: Friday 9th September 2022
Grading: Easy
Starts from: Various
Depart: Various
Distance: 2-3 miles / 3-4km
Ascent: Minimal
Duration: 1-2hrs
Group: Walk It
Cost: Free
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: No
Description: Starting in the car park at Tweed Bridge, on Kingsmeadows Road, Peebles we head through the Old Town of Peebles. Leaving the town we follow the ancient drove road to the Meldon Hills. After climbing both the White and Black Meldon Hills we follow the old railway, passed Neidpath Castle and back to Peebles.
Date: Saturday 10th September 2022
Grading: Strenuous
Starts from: Tweed Bridge B7062, Peebles,
Scottish Borders, EH45 8AW
Depart: Check in: 08:50 / Depart: 08:40 / Return: 16:00
Distance: 12 miles / 20km
Ascent: 554m
Duration: 7hrs
Group: Scottish Border walks
Cost: £13.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Under the shadow of the Eildon’s follow the Borders Abbeys Way to the historic town of Melrose and the magnificent ruins of it’s medieval abbey. Following the footsteps of St. Cuthbert’s Way the path gains height towards the hill’s saddle before descending across border land back to the start point.
Date: Saturday 10th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Newtown St Boswells Car Park (opposite
toilets) TD6 0RS
Depart: Check in: 09:40 / Depart: 10:00 / Return to
Newtown: 15:00
Distance: 8 miles / 13.5km
Ascent: 1000ft / 300m
Duration: 5hrs
Group: Independent
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: Following in the footsteps of the drovers this peaceful route from Stow to Galashiels takes in the sights and sounds of the Borders
landscape. Terrain: grass, paths, tarmac and tracks.
Date: Saturday 10th September 2022 Grading: Strenuous
Starts from: Stow Station House at Railway Station,
Stow TD1 2SH
Depart: Check in: 09:30 / Depart: 10:00 / Arrive at Focus Centre: 15:30
Distance: 8 miles / 14km
Ascent: 1100ft / 330m
Duration: 5hrs 30mins
Group: Stow Community Trust
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 12
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: We leave Galashiels and follow the River Gala to its confluence with the River Tweed. We then meander through Langlee Woods. Dating from the 18th century, these woods provide the locals a tranquil walk. Leaving the woods behind we will make our way back to Galashiels.
Date: Saturday 10th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Focus Centre, Livingston Place, Galashiels,
Selkirkshire TD1 1DQ
Depart: Check in: 10:30 / Depart: 11:00 / Arrive at
Focus Centre: 15:00
Distance: 6 miles
Ascent: 260m
Duration: 4hrs
Group: Scottish Border Walks
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Lunch / Boots
Description: A morning walk. The walk circles Torwoodlee Mains Hill past cairns, forestry, the broch and livestock. This route highlights the farming and estate management of the land as well as lovely views. Using farm tracks, quad bike paths and rough uneven ground in places.
Date: Saturday 10th September 2022
Grading: Moderate
Starts from: Bus stance by Clovenfords Hotel,
Clovenfords TD1 3LU
Depart: Check in: 09:55 / Depart: 10:15 / Return to
Clovenfords: 13:15
Distance: 5 miles / 8km
Ascent: 600ft / 200m
Duration: 3hrs
Group: Torwoodlee and Buckholm Estates
Cost: £8.00
Transport: No
Max No.: 25
Lunch/Boots: Boots
Official Opening - Festival is opened at 9.30am by piper. Officially declared open by Galashiels Braw Lad and Lass, John and Abbie.
Afternoon Tea - following the end of the first day of walks at the Focus Centre.
The Big Walking Festival Quiz at Quins Restaurant, Galashiels (7pm) with Chips and Dips. Lots of great prizes to be won. £4 per head.
Tuesday 6th September
Stow - Craft and Chat from 2pm till 4pm - following Stow Walk It.
Tuesday Evening 7pm Focus Centre
Mark Nicol from Discover Scottish Borders talks everything Borders with great in-depth knowledge and a bit of banter thrown in. Followed by a good old game of Bingo. £8
Stow - Afternoon Tea at the Roundhouse Cafe.
Galashiels - time for a chill out... kick off your boots and check out the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
Beer Tasting, Nostalgic Disco and Karaoke - nibbles provided and ladies and gentlemen why not put a stitch in the new Galashiels Tapestry Panel and have your name recorded for prosperity.
Galashiels Focus Centre £10 per head
Stow - Themed dinner at the New Station House.
Focus Centre - Coffee, tea and cake on walkers return to Focus Centre. Final farewells.
Refreshments will be available at the Focus Centre and at the Station House every afternoon except Wednesday. Stalls from local companies, organisations and crafts will be available in Galashiels and Stow all week.
All events at the Focus Centre in Galashiels are open to the public as well as walkers. For booking walks and social events please contact Tracey on 07547 024 592
How do I buy a ticket?
Go to www.galawalk.co.uk
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
On the '2022 Walks' page you will see what walks we are leading, under each walk is a link that will take you to the page where tickets are available from. At time of booking Eventbrite will request your telephone number, this is
taken so that we can contact you before (or even during) the event. Eventbrite will also request an emergency contact number, this number should not be your number, it should be someone we can contact on the day of the event.
I ask myself - 'Can I do the walk?'
Leaders will ensure that no walker is left trailing behind, the pace will be set at that of the slowest individual and leaders will always make sure that the group walk in one group. However, we do expect walkers to be reasonably confident that they can walk the specified distances at a reasonable pace before setting out on a walk. If walkers decide to leave the walk for whatever reason they are no longer part of the festival and as such would no longer be the responsibility of the walk leaders.
Can I bring my dog?
No, Due to the amount of people that are on walks and also due to many walks going over farmland dogs are not permitted.
What if the weather is bad?
No matter what the weather is, the leader will always be at the appointed meeting place at the scheduled starting time, and will make any necessary decision at that time.
Can I bring children?
Children over twelve are welcome on all walks, but please study the route, distance and level of walk so that you are fully confident as to their suitability, especially for younger children. Those under sixteen must be accompanied by
an adult.
Anything else?
Walkers should bring their own first aid kit AND face mask. It is suggested that everyone should have a bottle of water and snacks with them.
Registration
Please arrive at the walk registration centre or the specific walk start location for your walk at the time given.
Many walks, including some with transport provided, start at The Focus Centre Galashiels TD1 1DQ. However to reduce travel costs etc this year some walks start and finish at other locations including Stow station for Stow walks. Please check locations and allow time to get to your walk.
What to wear and bring for walks
For all walks it is essential that walkers come equipped with suitable footwear clothing and equipment. This may include a fleece, waterproof jacket, walking boots, hat, gloves, bottle of water, high energy food, walking pole, sunglasses, mobile phone. Bring food/warm drink if desired.
Safety Information
We are committed to running the festival safely and appreciate your cooperation with this. However participants take part in walks at their own risk and we cannot accept responsibility for any accident. If you have a health condition that you think is relevant please make the leaders aware of this prior to your walk.
Other Important Information
Walk Grades
Festival walks are graded to help you choose which ones are suitable to your own ability. Wet weather can result in muddy areas in all grades of walk. Please note that some walks are also labelled as LONG. Scan the QR code to visit
www.galawalk.co.uk
Easy (Yellow)
Walking experience is not necessary for these as distances are relatively short and paths and gradients generally easy. These walks are taken at a relaxed pace, often spending time at places of interest. Suitable for all ages.
Moderate (Green)
These walks generally follow well defined routes, though sometimes in hilly or upland areas. The walks may be uneven or steep in sections. Suitable for most people of average fitness.
Strenuous (Orange)
These walks may include rough ground and are generally longer with sections of steep and/or sustained ascent and descent. These are suitable for those with a good level of experience, fitness and stamina.
Very Strenuous (Red)
Challenging walks. Not for the faint-hearted. Rough ground. Long with steep ascents and descents. Aimed at experienced hill walkers with a high level of fitness and stamina.
