Scottish Trekkers are inviting non-members to join them on their first walk of 2019.

The four-mile trek will take place on January 5 in Aberfoyle. It is described by the group as a “lovely easy walk and a great break in for the new year.”

Scottish Trekkers has been on the go for four years now and has an impressive 3,158 members on Meetup, a website and app which encourages local people to connect through their interests.

Regular members come from all over Scotland as well as parts of England.

The group is often also joined by guests from abroad who are keen to take a stroll off the beaten track.

Founder Tam Lyon took up walking as a hobby after experiencing a health scare several years ago.

Clydebank man Tam said: “I got back into walking for health reasons. I couldn’t walk more than 20 yards.”

Tam joined walking groups run by others when he first started out, however he was unable to locate the right one for him.

He said: “I never found a group who met my needs. They were either Munro baggers or the walks were too short.”

The inclusive group welcomes all, with the main group on outings sticking to the pace of its slower members.

The walkers’ focus is not on the amount of trails they complete, instead, their aim is to simply get people out of the house to enjoy what Scotland has to offer.

Leader Tam originally organised all Scottish Trekkers events, but last year he took a step back, and the group now has five organisers who plan walks and trips further afield.

Walks are posted with grade information so members can decide which walks they take part in depending on their fitness.

Scottish Trekkers hope to take on new members in the new year and encourage people to become part of Scotland’s “friendliest walking group.”

Everyone is welcome to pop along to the car park behind Main Street, Aberfoyle, at 10.45am, on January 5.