Easter

Dumyat Summit

What a great way to spend Easter Day; we hiked with our hill walking club to Dumyat Summit (see photo). Since this was a "B' walk (walks are graded in increasing difficulty from "D" through "A"), we covered a fair number of miles, considerable elevation gain, with sections of difficult footing. We were rewarded with terrific weather and terrific views.

Here are some details. We walked one mile from our flat to the station to rendezvous with our club for the 9:30am train for a one-hour ride to a the Bridge of Allan village near the small city of Sterling (famous castle and battle). From there our group of group of 13 exited the train and immediately began proceeding up hill, initially through forest, then across and up treeless slopes. Views were limitless, as were the yellow blossoms of the shoulder height gorse shrubs. At about one hour before noon we stopped for "elevenses," the term for a coffee break at 11am. Most everyone hill walks with a thermos of hot coffee. Onward and upward. Dozens of others were out hill walking as well; easy to look out across the treeless hills and see them.

After a few more hours of hill walking we were rewarded by reaching Dumyat Summit where, after posing for a photo, we scurried to just below the wind blown summit to enjoy the lunches we brought. Mike surprised every one by handing out chocolate Easter eggs. From that vantage point we could see the Sterling castle and the River Forth in the distance; nearer by we could see the the roofs of dozens of bonded Diago storehouses (Diageo is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company that owns a vast portfolio of brands, including well-known liquors like Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, Smirnoff vodka, Baileys cream liqueur, Captain Morgan rum, and Guinness stout). We could also see the elaborate victorian stone tower commemorating William Wallace (he led his Scottish troops to victory over the invading British at The Battle of Stirling Bridge).

We descended along on a different path that eventually wound through the beautiful University of Sterling campus and then back to the Bridge of Allen village where, as is customary, we stopped at a pub (which thankfully for Beth, also served coffee latte). After another train ride we were back in Edinburgh where we walked back to our flat in time for a late dinner. By the way, the round trip train ride cost only $11.00 each.