Highland Disabled Ramblers

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.

RAMBLE TO ARDERSIER14th July 2026Our rendezvous place was the Shore car park in the village of Ardersier. There were 5 s...
18/08/2026

RAMBLE TO ARDERSIER
14th July 2026
Our rendezvous place was the Shore car park in the village of Ardersier. There were 5 scooters, brought in one van and 10 walking volunteers. Alison welcomed everyone, an introduced new member Stephen to his first ramble with us.
We set off north along the shore track beside calm sea and a pleasant temperature. Across the water we could recognise places on the Black Isle. Shortly we headed into the wood via a good boardwalk to the small car park where we met Highlife Highland ranger John Orr. John told us that Ardersier Common had very recently achieved Local Nature Reserve status. This is due to many years of management by countryside staff and volunteers. This is particularly to encourage two rare butterflies – the Small Blue (dark with silver edged wings) whose caterpillars feed on the kidney vetch plant, and Dingy Skipper (various shades of brown) on birds-foot trefoil. We also spotted more common butterflies and a black and red 6-spot burnet moth.
The narrow grassy path we followed had just been strimmed to allow our scooters easy access. On the way we were tempted to sample the many ripe raspberries within reach. Out of reach are seasonal ponds in the woods that are good habitats for rarer plants like the small coral-root orchid.
In the distance we were alerted by the sounds of rapid fire from the nearby military practice area. Once back on the shore path, we headed for a short distance towards Fort George, an extensive fort built from the mid -1700s by the Government backed military, to protect against any potential insurgents from the Jacobite supporters after the 1715 and 1745 uprisings. The building is managed by Scottish Environment and Heritage (Formerly Historic Scotland) and is open to visitors. Part of the fort now also houses a British army garrison.
We turned and headed back along the shore path, where we had our picnics at welcome benches looking across the waters. Finally we returned to the car park, from where we enjoyed teas/ coffees in Wendy’s café in the village.
Thanks to our van team and walking companions, as well as our ranger John, for a most pleasant day out. EK

RAMBLE TO LOCH GARTEN Friday 26 June 2026 On a lovely sunny morning we assembled at the Loch Garten RSPB visitor centre ...
23/07/2026

RAMBLE TO LOCH GARTEN
Friday 26 June 2026

On a lovely sunny morning we assembled at the Loch Garten RSPB visitor centre car park ready to try out the recently constructed accessible paths. With Elspeth to lead the ramble and Sarah, the knowledgeable RSPB ranger, to guide and inform, it looked like an enjoyable day was in prospect.
Three scooters were in use, plus one spare, as we set off on the “Big Trees” trail, which did indeed lead us past, at 300 years +, some of the oldest Scots Pines in Abernethy. These magnificent survivors provided a wonderful backdrop as we weaved or way along the well constructed trail. We learned of some of the tactics and techniques, including deer population control, being tried to ensure the survival of a healthy ecosystem into the future. We began to notice the many small rowan trees emerging in the understory, most of which were planted rather than being natural regeneration.

Crossing the public road and passing through the loch-side parking area we were reminded of the pressure of tourism that such beautiful areas naturally attract. Polite notices encouraging visitors to act responsibly regarding fires and overnight parking were dotted about. We hoped that they would have the desired effect as we made our way through more recently planted forest. Here the pines were taller and slimmer in profile than the “Granny” trees seen earlier, evidence that they grew in close proximity, before being thinned out. Many little yellow flowers of cow wheat were showing through the heather and bilberry undergrowth. Apparently the seeds are spread by ants and their widespread distribution is evidence of the age of the forest.

The sun sparkled as it reflected from the surface of Loch Garten and we could see many white patches of flowering water lilies in the loch margins – beautiful. A lone kayaker, no doubt enjoying some solitude, was the only clue that we were not in a completely untouched paradise. We took the clockwise direction where the path divided for the Two Lochs Trail. This took us through the bog forest, a damp depression in the terrain between Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie, where the trees were much smaller than the surrounding, drier, forest, despite being of the same age. Clearly the dampness was impeding tree growth, but the many balls of fluff dancing in the breeze showed that the bog cotton was thriving in the conditions.

Loch Mallachie came into view where the trail took a turn to the right, and this is where we paused for lunch. This was a delightful spot with views across the water to more large flotillas of flowering water lilies. Large-holed bird boxes have been attached to emergent tree stumps as encouragement for goldeneye ducks.

After lunch we completed the trail circuit and rejoined the path back to the RSPB centre where we enjoyed coffee and a very informative talk and slide show featuring the turbulent love lives of the summer resident Ospreys. It can get a bit feisty in the tricky world of avian romance with murder and violence of Shakespearian proportions.

All in all, it was a very pleasant and informative day enjoyed in good company and good weather. Thank you to everyone involved, but especially to Sarah our ranger for the day. Alan H.

RAMBLE TO BRAHAN ESTATE.Thursday 4th June 2026Despite the rain seven scooters and about fifteen walkers left the caravan...
19/06/2026

RAMBLE TO BRAHAN ESTATE.
Thursday 4th June 2026
Despite the rain seven scooters and about fifteen walkers left the caravan parking area on the Brahan Estate bang on time. Brahan is the name of the land which was the traditional home of the Earls of Seaforth, Chiefs of Clan Mackenzie. It was here, in 1881, that the Seaforth Highlanders infantry regiment, which served with the British Army until 1961, was raised. The 4,000 acre Brahan Estate is now owned by the Matheson family.
We set off along the track to The Dell and Arboretum with its magnificent rhododendrons, azaleas and dense clumps of butterbur. The exotic trees are all labelled.
Leaving the Dell we stopped to view a large pond in the distance. By this time the rain had eased off but Elspeth wanted to check out another route to pond. This was ‘scotterable’, so we proceeded along this track to the bank of the pond, from where we had a good view of the big house. As we watched a swan frolicking in the water, the head of a second swan could just be seen above the reeds at the far side of the pond. To our delight the second swan appeared on the bank and, followed by about 7 cygnets, glided onto the water.
We continued down the track to the bank of the Conon River which is popular with anglers. We stopped for lunch in front of the fishing bothy. The fishermen and their dogs were all very friendly and didn’t seem to mind our intrusion. One of the fishermen came in bearing Ellis’s wet flat cap which he had found on the track.
Our picnic break over, we followed the Conon passing its junction, on the opposite side, with the River Orrin. We stopped at the point from where we could see the new Estate of Ord Hotel and beyond, the pink Fairburn Tower. The Tower was built in 1543 for Murdo Mackenzie the 1st of Fairburn. In 1851 a farmer was using the tower to store hay. A cow followed the trail into the tower. She became stuck and gave birth to a calf. This was predicted by the Brahan Seer in the late 17th Century. In 2020 the Landmark Trust took on the lease and the transformation of a ruin into magnificent self-catering holiday accommodation was completed in 2022. Apparently pink is traditional for a Scottish Baronial building.
Turning back we stopped to admire a fairy garden where several children could play while their parents watched from the bench.
By 2 pm we were back at the parking area, dry and happy, after a delightful day out.
A big thank you to our leader, Elspeth, and the van drivers who organised the scooters and got everything ready in drenching rain, while the rest of us waited in our cars.
Alaine

RAMBLE TO NAIRN RIVERSIDE Friday 8th May 2026 Starting at the Maggot car park, 15 HDR members gathered in the rather col...
30/05/2026

RAMBLE TO NAIRN RIVERSIDE
Friday 8th May 2026
Starting at the Maggot car park, 15 HDR members gathered in the rather cold and blustery wind but it was dry.
Janet gave us a broad overview of the route with history of the various places we would be passing by.
The name Maggot has many theories but the most common one is that in the summer these storage pools dried up and the mussels rotted and infested with maggots. Other members had different stories but this appeared to be the most descriptive with all present using imagination to the smell such a scene would create.
Our route was a well-made path, part of the 6 mile trail inland to Cawdor Castle. Rambling beside fertile farmland with flood defences, passing through areas of gorse, cow parsley, stitchwort and bluebells. Passing many deciduous trees including Alder, Rowan and Ash, all trees rich in Highland folklore, The hazels were also looking fine with their catkins.
At the Murd’s bridge you could see the debris that had collected due to serious flooding at times during the recent winter season.
At Firhall we passed by the river gauging station, a shed-like building on the left, important for the river management to monitor river flow. Further information can be found on the website www.riverlevels.mobi
We turned around for our return journey just past the Firhall bridge, the path further on actually has a flight of steps which even the most adventurous buggy driver would meet with a spectacular demise. Our lunch stop was in a wide area beside the river with 2 benches for our volunteer walkers to sit in comfort. Ellis took the opportunity to allow volunteers to have a brief training experience on the buggies.
On our return to the Maggot car park ramblers were offered to have a further ramble along the shore, planned to cross the Nairn river where it enters the Moray Firth to pass sandy beaches, however our return was again at a cold and blustery spot and our ramblers decided to keep warm and decline the offer.
Janet

13/05/2026

WINTER MEETING TALK
19th MARCH 2026
Tai Chi and China – Alison MacRobbie

Alison presented a whistlestop presentation of her visit to China in October/Nov 2025. At the time Alison was experiencing mobility issues and was able to add the challenges that this presented as China struggles with providing for those with disabilities e.g. squatting toilets, many steps to access traditional cultural sites and although beautiful to look at, the very slippy surfaces of marble floor finishes especially when wet. Communication was mainly by translation apps and as westerners, the group became a tourist attraction in the rural areas as white skinned people were a rare sight.
Alison flew from Aberdeen via Schipol to Shanghai, a tier 1 city of around 25 million inhabitants on the east coast of China on the Yangtze River. Travelling on by high speed train, across approximately 1000km west, to the Wudang Mountain National Park area in Hubei province where the Tai Chi school was located. Two weeks of intensive training in meditation, Tai Chi (the great extremes), cultural practices (tea preparation, vegetable growing and use in healthy eating, calligraphy, Guqin 7 stringed instrument) followed.
Sight seeing included temples (South Cliff , Purple Cloud and Qiongtai) and climbing to the Golden Summit (almost) the home of Dao and a UNESCO heritage site.
Travelling on from there to Nanjing to experience the Autumn Festival celebrations in the old town. She visited the night markets to see the use of insects as food source as well as visiting the Ming Tomb and botanic gardens. Her journey concluded back in Shanghai to experience the crowds along the bund, the illuminated night skyline across the river and the longest bar in the world in the Waldorf Astoria hotel to celebrate her final night. Our return the UK was not without challenge as Storm Amy ensured flights were grounded and additional time was spent in Schipol before eventually returning to the UK. A one-off experience.
Fiona

RAMBLE TO DRUMNADROCHIT 18th April 2026The first ramble of the season is always round Drumnadrochit and is followed by t...
13/05/2026

RAMBLE TO DRUMNADROCHIT
18th April 2026
The first ramble of the season is always round Drumnadrochit and is followed by the AGM. It is always a lovely route no matter whether it is down towards Loch Ness or to the west of the houses and into the wood. This year’s was the latter as a winter flood had washed away part of the Loch path. We crossed the main road then headed up Balmacaan Road before turning onto the rougher and somewhat muddy road through the woods. Martin pointed out some of the special trees which had been planted there well over a hundred years ago and they are truly remarkable. The spring flowers were emerging which always cheers folk up. We met various other walkers including one very noble pair taking their very white dog on a walk – up such a muddy path! It still remained remarkably white!
There are good views down over Drumnadrochit and we could see there was a lot of activity on the various sports pitches. We got a closer look as we passed by and it was great to see so many youngsters enjoying healthy outdoor sports (instead of gazing at screens!!).
It was back across the main road – safely thanks to the helpers in their high-viz jackets – and back to the hall. By this time some of us were getting a little chilly so the hot teas and coffees provided by some of the Church Ladies were much appreciated. Although we take our packed lunch as normal we all look forward to the lovely home-made cakes provided by the ladies so once again a hearty thank you to them. In lieu of hire payment of the hall, donations were given towards the Church’s chosen charity MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), who provide small planes to transport medical personnel and supplies to remote and needy regions of the world.
The AGM was successfully conducted in a short time, and another thank you is due to all the folk who served on previous committees and to those new folk who have volunteered their services for the future.
As always thanks to the drivers and all those involved in organising the ramble and we look forward to the next one in Nairn.
Peggie
K

30/03/2026

WE ARE PLEASED TO RELEASE OUR DATES FOR THIS YEARS RAMBLES.
Ramble Programme for 2026
Please check your latest newsletters for up to date details

Saturday 18th April - Drumnadrochit ramble and AGM
Thursday 23rd April - Bucket collection at Dingwall Tesco
Friday 8th May - Nairn River and Shore
Thursday 4th June - Brahan Estate

Further dates for your diary

Wednesday 24th June Thursday 17th September
Tuesday 14th July Wednesday 7th October
Monday 3rd August Tuesday 3rd November
Friday 28th August
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Booking
Everyone planning to come on a ramble, including personal helpers and volunteers, must book in advance with the Booking Secretary (see our newsletter for details), giving your contact phone number or email address.

Scooters are reserved on a first come, first served basis, so book early. In any case, please book by the date stated in the newsletter.

Scooter users are requested, if at all possible, to bring an able-bodied companion with them.

We look forward to seeing you during the season, enjoying both the outdoors and lively company.

11/03/2026

Peggie’s Quiz 22nd January 2026.

For Highland Disabled Ramblers, 22nd January 2026 was a day to brighten up the dull month of January, it being the first of the winter meetings when we gather at Inshes East Church Hall to enjoy being back together and to share what has been planned to edify! And indeed we were, challenged, entertained and edified by Peggie’s Quiz and her wonderful presentation thereof.
I am fully convinced that no one can create a quiz like Peggie. Some of us, with a true spirit of competition, love quizzes, others are terrified of quizzes, particularly of the type where there are 60 questions, each worth two points, the answers required being pop songs and singers from across the years - 21st century only. But Peggie’s quizzes are not like that, they are excitingly encompassing!
After enjoying our pack lunches and chit chat, we got down to the real business of dividing into three groups of seven or eight at a table. Peggie gave the instructions. There’d be six rounds of questions, each round containing ten questions. Each team could play a joker for the round of their choice. The teams each chose what they considered an appropriate name - ours was The Magnificent Seven - which was to be entered on a team answer sheet for each round. The name of the round would also be entered, and the advice where a team was playing their joker.
Peggy delivered the questions with her inimitable stage presence.
Round 1 :- Names of occupations from the past
Round 2 :- Colours
Round 3 :- Scottish Islands
Round 4 :- Nicknames
Round 5 :- Slogans
Round 6 :- General Knowledge
Within the teams there was great interaction, sharing and learning. It was a closely run contest with respectable scores all round, with the winning team slightly more respectable than the rest of us, but a very happy day was had by all. A well deserved vote of thanks was given to Peggie, with the expressed hope for next year’s quiz.

Ishbel McBoyle

11/03/2026

WINTER MEETING 19th Feb 2026
Talk by Graham Fraser on his Motorbike Adventures all the way to Croatia -

What better way to spend a Winter’s Thursday afternoon than to experience a wonderful colourful holiday together with lovely Ramblers’ company!
Graham took us from the comfort of Drumnadrochit, with his wife Morag and friends, for a motorbike trip of over 3,000 miles across Europe to Croatia. From the ferry to Europe they travelled through Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia to reach Croatia. We saw amazing scenery of mountain, loch, seascapes, and buildings of great interest. That’s not including the delicious food - the Apfel Strudel was wow! and samples of the local brew …visual for us unfortunately! Their return route followed the Croatian coast north to Italy and though France to reach home.
Thanks, Graham for taking us on this amazing trip. We look forward to travelling through France, Spain, and Portugal ln 2026! Jen, et al

RAMBLE TO NESS ISLANDS, INVERNESS. 3rd NOVEMBER 2025We all gathered at the back of the Inverness Leisure Centre car park...
04/01/2026

RAMBLE TO NESS ISLANDS, INVERNESS.
3rd NOVEMBER 2025

We all gathered at the back of the Inverness Leisure Centre car park, keen to enjoy the autumn colours by the river. A good turnout of 7 scooter users, 9 walking volunteers and 3 van driving team. The forecast was ‘overcast with rain later’. Elspeth led the group past the Archive Centre down to the riverside path. We crossed the suspension bridge on to the Islands.

Wending our way from island to island across sturdy bridges, we met dog walkers, cyclists, family groups, all happy to share the woodland paths with us. At one stop overlooking the river, we watched a stately goosander with its chestnut head mingling with the many mallard. At the same point, Helen heard and spotted a tiny goldcrest in a conifer, followed by a great view for all of a tree creeper climbing its way up a tree trunk, searching for tiny invertebrates.

We had just reached our turning point at the Cavell war memorial Gardens, decorated with poppies in preparation for the annual commemoration service on 11th November, when the skies darkened and rain showers forced us to quickly don waterproofs. They didn’t last long, allowing us to picnic at the mini amphitheatre. From here we headed to Whin Park to see the new children’s play equipment and families enjoying some fun and exercise.

It was then along paths skirting the Botanic Gardens to return to the cars and vans, Most members made their way back to the Botanics café for a welcome hot drink and scone or cake. A fitting end to a lovely autumn ramble.

Our thanks go once more to all the volunteers, without whom our rambles would not be possible. We look forward to meeting up again at our indoor events during the winter.

Elspeth

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Inverness

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