A New Season, A New Mindset

The changing of the clocks at the end of October indicates the descent into winter. Many folk get a wee bit depressed at the thought of long dark nights. Instead of dwelling on the negative parts of this time of year, we should be considering the delights of winter.

Nobody seems to relish the benefits of the tail end of the year, like the chance to enjoy glorious sunsets and sunrises without disturbing sleep patterns. Only the committed are awake at daft o'clock to observe colourful astronomical daily transitions in June.

Stargazing Adventures with The Wellbeing Circle

Having early dark nights presents some benefits, like the chance of having a Wellbeing Circle telescope gathering. The chance to eyeball the rainbow of beige gas clouds on Jupiter, personally witness the captivating rings of Saturn and enjoy gazing up at the distant Andromeda galaxy and Orion's nebula. 

We are looking forward to inviting big jacketed, well wrapped up folks, up to the dark sky location at The David Stirling statue up at Hill of Row on the way to Doune, it is perfect with plenty of space for cars to park and loads of room for folk to enjoy the slightly tepid evening temperatures.

Unfortunately, telescope parties are not long distance planning affairs and require perfect clear sky conditions. These gatherings will be organised short term, maybe the day before or even the morning of the expected gathering and with a good chance of being canceled momentarily if the weather alters. Fingers crossed.

Please keep your eyes peeled on the Wellbeing Circle events page.

Back to the Point: The Wellbeing Circle Walking Events 

Sorry for meandering off point and will direct proceeding to the reason for this post. The Wellbeing Walking Event(s). 

One of the best things of lockdown was that folk gained an appreciation for the outdoors after being kept captive in house arrest for weeks and weeks.  Post Covid habits have still stuck as hunners of folk continue to go for evening strolls increasing and maintaining physical health and stimulating mental wellbeing.  One of the simple joys of life is enjoying a blustery walk where wind and other environmental conditions blow the clouds clear from inside yer heed. Returning indoors to pull hats and scarfs from yer napper wearing big smiles ready to coorie-in with hot chocolate or bowls of hot nutritional soup. The Wellbeing Circle would like to try encourage this activity by introducing our first walking event.

First Walk – A Night Stroll Around Cambuskenneth

The first night walk has been organised for Wednesday 12th of November 7pm. The plan is to walk from the Auld Brig in Stirling round Cambuskenneth and back. 

Starting at the carpark on the south side end of the Auld Brig, near the bakers at the Goosecroft end of the Raploch. Proposing, we will make our way towards Riverside via the underpass then follow the path beside the river to the pedestrian bridge and access to Cambuskenneth. Where we will take the long way round with a quick squwatch of the old Abbey Tower, although we are expecting the gates will be locked. After this, we will mozy past the Wolly Molly, carry on down Dunster road joining Causewayhead main road just up from the railway bridge which we will saunter under. Leaving us a march over the Auld Brig back to the start point. Its mostly flat with some darkish parts allowing folks to switch on headlamps and torches.

Growing the Walking Community

I am looking at getting out once or twice at night during the time I am home in November. If there is interest from others to help herd folk along, this group could continue with regular weekly walks when I head away. 

Looking at doing more dark walks, with some hills and off-road paths round Stirling as confidence and exposure grow. There are loads of walks around the Stirling area. No doubt you have ventured on these daunders when the sun gives plenty of light to ensure a safe footing.

Potential walks for the club could be: 

• Up the Wolly Molly

• From Meadowpark along the path under the Hermitage Woods, down past Blairlogie church, into the University grounds back the Meadowpark

• Birds and Bees, past Wallace High, past the University, BofA, Birds and Bees

• Kings Park

• Town centre, Back walk, Castle, Auld graveyard, Town Centre

• Menstie, Alva, out the new path on the old railway and back on the old path under the hills

• Bofa, Dunblane, return by train

• Dunblane Ashfield circular

A Walk for Everyone

You would have noticed most of these walks are dark and traffic free. Walks that would put the fear in you, if attempted solo on a wintery dark night.  However a bunch of middle aged radges with head torches and sturdy walking boots might encourage others to join us. Hopefully, families when after-school activities allow. Bairns love stomping about in the dark with torches or folk on their lonesome looking for a friendly chat and company, or others that are wary of crossing the threshold after sunset. The area has a bunch of new people staying for a short period or setting up for new chapters in life that want to discover the many amazing and wondrous places on our doorstep, maybe none of the above applies to you but you are up for laugh and a mid week mini adventure. 

Why We're Doing This 

I became a member of the Wellbeing Circle to help others feel better. Hopefully by kindling a wintery night walking club and starting taking folk for a wee Dook n’ Daunder up Cocksburn Reservoir. As well as helping and supporting the full day retreats and monthly Wellbeing Circle gatherings, will help us towards some of our goals listed below to help build a community that thrives supports each other. 

• Increase mental and physical wellbeing

• Reducing social isolation

• Encouraging community gatherings by removing barriers, utilising our natural free resources or offering reduced rates and complimentary spaces when possible

• Promote and support individual’s growth and to help them flourish as we gently guide folk out of their areas of comfort in new wondrous personal adventures

Join Us This Winter

Looking forward to seeing yer well wrapped coupon for a walk during long dark nights allowing you to arrive back home feeling rejuvenated and happy and looking forward to other wellbeing events we have on offer. 

Barry