This excursion along minor roads and the Water of Leith walkway, will examine exposures of Lower Carboniferous Ballagan Formation exposed in stream sections and former railway cuttings. The walk will also view glacial and post-glacial landforms and investigate other aspects of the natural and man-made heritage of the area.

Read the Code of Conduct and Safety Guidelines and book your place …

Excursion title:

Currie to Balerno Circular

Date & time:

Wednesday 23 May 2018, 7 pm

Finish time:

9 pm approx

Leader:

Ken Shaw, EGS

Excursion aims and description:

1. To examine exposures of the Lower Carboniferous Ballagan Formation exposed in several stream sections and former railway cuttings

2. To view glacial / post-glacial landforms

3. To investigate other aspects of the natural and man-made heritage of the area

The excursion route is based on ‘Walk 5’ in reference 1.

Transport:

Lothian Buses No. 44, Curriehill Road stop (from town)

Lothian Buses No. 45, Curriehill Road stop (from town) or Riccarton Arms hotel (from P&R / H-W Uni.)

Meeting point:

At the small car-park at the start of the Kirkgate in Currie, south of the Water of Leith, just down from the Lanark Road West

First locality:

NT183677. Small car-park on Kirkgate to north of Water of Leith.

Excursion route:

Cross WoL and up to Lymphoy Road. West along Lymphoy Road to Balerno, then return along disused railway (WoL walkway) to start. Some detours to view stream sections & other points of interest.

Terrain, walking distance, height gain:

Mostly on metalled road or track. Some rough tracks and wet / slippy stream sections.

3.3m, 172ft ascent / descent. Shorter (1.6m) route possible in case of inclement weather.

Specific or Medium- / High-Risk Hazards:

Some slippery rocks and rough ground in stream sections

Control measures required to mitigate against any Hazards referred to above:

Appropriate footwear

Hard hats or Hi-viz clothing needed?

No

May dogs be brought on the excursion?

Yes

Toilet information:

Public house near meeting pint

Geological map sheet:

32W Livingston

OS map sheet:

1:25k sheet 350 1:50k sheet 66

References:

1. A Guide to Edinburgh’s Countryside: Habitats & walks within the city boundaries. Edinburgh Natural History Society, 1982. Macdonald Publishers, Edinburgh.

2. Mitchell, G.H. and Mykura, W. 1962. The Geology of the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, Third Edition. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, Scotland.