Highland Disabled Ramblers

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Highland Disabled Ramblers

HDR is a charitable group run by volunteers enabling disabled people to enjoy the outdoors. We run monthly countryside rambles using electric scooters.

23/10/2025

RAMBLE TO FORT AUGUSTUS
Tuesday 7th October, 2025

It was a joy to set out for Fort Augustus in the relative calm following storm Amy.
When we arrived at the main village car park we discovered that we were quite a
small band due mainly to illness. This included Martin, who had been scheduled to lead the ramble.
Elspeth, who had stepped in as leader, purchased a get well card which we all signed.
Graham, the sole van driver and loader/ unloader of scooters, gave scooter riders a
preemptive reminder that the scooters were not amphibious. This was wisdom
indeed since our ramble was to be along the pathway between the Caledonian
Canal and the River Oich.
We viewed the canal locks, which since 1970 have been hydraulically operated, but
before that had been manually operated by windlass and capstan. From our path
we viewed part of the spectacular Great Glen, where forest and mountains looked
amazing, despite the evidence of storm damage in a few places.
We came upon some unusual looking mushrooms to which Elspeth was called to
give an account. She immediately identified them as Shaggy Ink Caps (Coprinus
Comatus). They are also commonly known as Lawyer's wig because of their appearance.
They are reputably an edible mushroom but must be used quickly as they deliquesce,
by which time they may be used as a very good ink.
Going along the towpath we could see a few boats on the canal sporting the title
Le Boat. As we reached our picnic spot, we saw two of these boats moored and a
cameraman was obviously filming. On making enquiries we discovered that the
filming was for a TV programme called Boating Escapes to be shown on Channel
4 in the Springtime. We were unsure if we were, in fact, unconscious extras, since
the camera being used looked quite powerful.
This ramble was indeed a relaxed and therapeutic experience and everyone was
extremely grateful to Graham, the van driver/ scooter carer, to volunteers, to
Rosemary, who runs the raffle and Sandra who helps with the tickets and money,
and of course to Elspeth who led the ramble. Our wishes for a speedy recovery to
ill members were also mooted.
Ishbel

05/09/2025

RAMBLE TO ALTYRE ESTATE
8th August 2025

Boy! Was that a windy ramble! But at least the rain didn't come to anything. We met in the car park of the Highland Campus of The Glasgow School of Art just off the Forres/Grantown Road where we had permission to use their toilets. The Buildings belonged to Altyre Estate having been built in the 1830s. They were used by the estate for many years but fell into disrepair until taken over and restored, beautifully, by The Glasgow School of Art where they now concentrate on post-graduate courses.

We set off through the estate carefully avoiding the remains of the debris from Storm Floris at the beginning of the week. We skirted the fire pond for “The Big House” and after passing the more modern farm buildings we stopped in the comparative shelter of the old Stable block. This consists of some housing and, built inside the old Stable, a squash court and the Estate Trophy Room. The stonework and carving of coats of arms were much admired.

We then headed north but owing to time constraints we did not go as far as the Standing Stone – which is difficult to see being in the middle of a field. We turned back past some more buildings originally the Gardeners' Cottages and now holiday accommodation as are many other houses on the estate. This route rejoined our outward route but we passed the car park this time and headed for Loch of Blairs where we had lunch accompanied by a variety of ducks and wasps! The loch surrounds have been cleared recently by a band of volunteers and several buildings erected next to the loch. More information can be found if you have a computer. Simply google “Friends of Blairs Loch”.

We then returned to the car park still being buffeted by a strong wind! Thanks as always are due to the committee, volunteers etc without whom these rambles would not take place. Particular thanks to the drivers of the vans and able-bodied helpers.

Peggie

15/08/2025

Ramble Report Alness River to Dalmore Distillery and Return
21st of July 2025

Well we all knew it could not last!!
The lovely sunny weather broke with a vengeance on Monday, - but all our gardens needed it.
We met in Averon Leisure Centre Carpark, Alness, at 10am, just as it stopped raining, and proceeded down the river to the River park, a lovely open space, to the weir having crossed the main road into Alness.
We then trundled down a path close to the river, lined with Rosebay Willow Herb or Fireweed and wild raspberries, and under the A9.
This brought us out onto a patch of open ground with many concrete foundations where a camp stood during WW2. One of the volunteers, Eta, who was not able to join us, told us that her parents met in that camp!
On we went, to a good view over the West side of Invergordon, and the Cruiser pier and, despite the mist, 4 oil rigs could be seen in the Cromarty Firth.
Thence up a path with many wild raspberries, we joined a road between Dalmore whisky distillery store houses. The smell was quite enticing as we breathed in the Angel’s Share!! The end of the ride was up to the road, over the A9, near Morrisons and Lidl stores, and just over the road from the Dalmore Farm Shop.
It was cloudy all the way but a darker haar was moving in with more rain, as we stopped on the way home for our lunch in the open area where it was amazing to see how nature has taken back the concrete debris, with harebells and ladies bedstraw and yellow hammers singing in the elderberry bushes.
After the raffle we trundled back, when my scooter failed, causing a hold up in not a very easy place, as I had inadvertently knocked on a switch which allows the scooter to free wheel, but stops the scooter moving if it is engaged. Once sorted by Graham, we were all on our way again, under the A9 and back along the river.
By this time, it was raining hard and we got wet getting from the Leisure Centre back to our cars, after a much needed, loo stop.
Thank you, Chris, Graham, and all the volunteer walkers and drivers.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being outdoors, seeing wildflowers, hearing birds and seeing a place I had never seen before, whatever the weather!
Helen

15/08/2025

Ramble Report Glen Strathfarrar
Tuesday 1st July 2025.

What a glorious day!

Martin gave us an insight into the history of the Glen and to the hundreds of trees around us. We then set off with Rosemary and Peggy setting a good pace.

Glen Strathfarrar, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Glens in the Highlands.

Home to a herd of wild goats, with a hierarchy often led by a dominant female. Goats are happiest when they have the company of other goats, becoming lonely and stressed if in isolation. We kept our eyes peeled but they were very well camouflaged today.

A group of six scooters and additional volunteer walkers met at a designated meeting point within Glen Strathfarrar. The Glen is normally closed on a Tuesday to traffic, however, after consulting with Helen who operates the gated road, she very kindly offered to operate the gate to allow the Highland Ramblers entry. This was such a great concession, there being no traffic though the Glen apart from the occasional commercial vehicle.

We were so fortunate with the weather, a beautiful warm/hot day with very little wind, gave us the most incredible views of Glen Strathfarrar, breathtakingly beautiful vistas all around us and many wild flowers to be seen. Two paragliders were spotted high above, enjoying the thermals. Thermals being columns of rising warm air that form over heated ground surfaces due to solar radiation.

The winding road through the Glen is very flat and easily navigated, ideal for our scooter group. A ‘lonesome pine’ was spotted on the horizon which encouraged both Ishbel and Martin to sing to us all, a magical moment!

An ideal spot was decided upon for our lunch spot, with views of the Loch and mountains. There was even a convenient farm trailer on which to sit in comfort and enjoy everyones company. A fun day with everyone in good spirits.

Our thanks and appreciation to all who made this amazing day possible.
Jen.

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Inverness

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+441463234808

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http://www.highland-disabled-ramblers.org/

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