Author Archives: djshinton

Sunday morning and J and I got up and out and headed West. Along the beach which I completely take for granted – it’s where I walked with Annie strapped to my front when she was 6 months old, where Rhys ran into the sea fully dressed (many times), it’s where we’ve spent countless sunnyContinue reading “Yellowcraigs Loop”

The end of the first week of January. This time I stepped outside the front door and headed South. Up and around the back of the Law and down to the Balgone Estate. It’s a beautiful place in the autumn when the Bulrush (otherwise known as Punks in the US) shed their pollen. Today theyContinue reading “Balgone Estate”

Many years ago I had been travelling around the world for a year and came back to Edinburgh. I took a trip into town and sat upstairs at the front of the bus as it came around the corner at the West End of Princes Street and thought – of all the places I haveContinue reading “There’s no place like home”

Took a minute to find the start but once on the path, it was a straight route to Haddington along an old dismantled railway line. There weren’t a lot of views from the path – both sides have been left wild to attract and home wildlife. Nifty little pop up railway signs along the wayContinue reading “Longniddry/Haddington Railway Walk”

First walk of 2021. And in true Scottish style, 4 seasons in an hour. It was snowing/hailing when I arrived in Athelstaneford so I sat in the car and enjoyed the peace for a while (everybody in one house, all the time, has its limits). It soon stopped and I headed off across the fieldContinue reading “Garleton Hills”

The time between Christmas and New Year – otherwise known as Twixtmas, Chrimbo Limbo, The Witching Week… What better way to spend it than a walk up a hill with 2 gorgeous girls. And we picked a good day. There was not a cloud in the sky and everywhere was covered in a dusting ofContinue reading “Spartleton Hill”

With the prospect of Christmas fast approaching, the need to escape and take a deep breath to steady myself was overwhelming. So Jonathan and I took an early morning trip back out to the Lammermuir hills, arriving as the sun was coming up. Parking at Whiteadder Reservoir, we headed off up the old Herring RoadContinue reading “Priestlaw Hill and Whiteadder Reservoir”

I wouldn’t normally add any walks less than around 6/7 miles to my total (daily dog walks up Berwick Law/along the beach don’t really feel like enough of a break from the norm). However, as this was my first trip up Traprain Law it felt like a new adventure – if a short one. NotContinue reading “Traprain Law”

Lammer Law & Hopes Reservoir – tier level changes and travel restrictions have brought me closer to home. And my first visit to the Lammermuir Hills. I set out with Bella in tow and didn’t see a single soul until almost the end of the walk. The first part is continuous ascent across sheep country.Continue reading “Half Way – 250 miles complete, 250 to go”

We were sent on our way from Eyemouth by a beautiful bevy of swans. Our first stop was Gunsgreen House which Shirley has claimed as her own – built in 1753 for a local merchant involved in the smuggling trade at the time. Then we were up and out along the edges of Eyemouth GolfContinue reading “The other Berwick”