Three Lochs Way 14.5km Balloch to Helensburgh: Spooky Book Season

**EARLY BIRD SIGN-UPS AVAILABLE UNTIL SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER**

🗺️ Key Info:
• Distance: 14.5km (9 miles if you’re old school)
• Ascent: ~400m
• Hiking time: 3.5 to 4.5hrs
• Cost: £3 early bird, then £5 (covers basic admin costs for Rambling Readers)
• Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

📍 Meeting and Ending Point:
• Location: Glasgow Central Station by the entrance to Accessorize
• Time: Meet 10am, leave just before 10:10am for the 10:16am train. Arrive at Balloch at 11:04am.
• Return: We expect to finish at Helensburgh by 4pm at the latest. Officially our trip ends here, and people are free to catch a return train to Glasgow Central Station or perhaps grab a drink at the pub!

🥾 The Hike:
A full description of the hike is here!
https://threelochsway.co.uk/the-route/balloch-helensburgh/

📖 The Book:
• Beloved by Toni Morrison
Brace yourself for a searing gut-punch of a book. Set in the period after the American Civil War, this Pulitzer Prize winning book tells the story of a dysfunctional family of former slaves whose Cincinnati home is haunted by a malevolent spirit.

📖 The Short Story:
• The Signalman by Charles Dickens
Pressed for time this spooky season? We'll also make time to discuss this spectacular short story. First published as part of the Mugby Junction collection in 1866, the eponymous character tells the narrator of an apparition that has been haunting him.

🎒What to Bring
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers – this is Scotland!)
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water (2 litres minimum)
• Hat and gloves if cold