On Wednesday 21st Dec. eight hardy members of the Biggar Ramblers turned out for the advertised 'short winter hill walk'. It was only four and half miles but it certainly lived up to its winter billing.

Setting off from the walkers car park at Broughton Place straight up onto the ridge was quite a strenuous start. The weather was nice at this point but on striking out on a spur to Trahenna there was a sudden dramatic deterioration as the group were engulfed by a blizzard! Once back onto the main route the wind was behind and the conditions eased. Just before the summit of the Hammerhead there is a cozy little depression and they hunkered down for 'elevenses' and even a little festive nip of John's sloe gin! The views had returned. It is an excellent vantage point overlooking the surrounding hills. Once fortified, the group tackled the steep descent through heather onto the John Buchan Way. They followed this along the pass through the hills back to the cars. Overall a very enjoyable pre-Christmas leg stretch in great company. Everyone is looking forward to continuing the programme in 2017.

The Ramblers always welcome new members and the listing of walks for January can be seen on the excellent Biggar Ramblers web site.

On a bright, crisp, frosty 4th December, eleven ramblers set out from Nether Cog, by Crawick Water, to ascend Conrig Hill (1600 feet ) by way of The Dod. The route took the party up a forestry track, before heading up the steep rough trackless hillside. As the party got higher they encountered difficult tussocky terrain and a brisk cold easterly wind. However they were rewarded with wonderful views of the surrounding hills, looking lovely in the bright Winter sun; Tinto, the Lowther Hills, Blackcraig Hill in the valley of the Afton, Benbrack and many more high hills in all directions. After reaching the summit of Conrig, the party made a slow tortuous descent to the Southern Upland Way and, as they made their way westwards along the ill-defined path, fine views of the Nith Valley from Kirkconnel down towards Thornhill opened up. A lunch stop was made on the SUW in a spot fairly sheltered from the cold wind. The party then continued to Lochburn Bridge, on the way passing through a small herd of cattle complete with bull. But they all seemed quite friendly, and pleasantries were exchanged. The party continued past Clenries Farm and on along an easy track that took then eventually onto the hillside high above the valley of the Crawick Water. The hills were beautifully lit by the low Winter sun as the party descended back to the starting at Nether Cog.

Walk description:
The walk started at the Kingsmeadows car park Peebles. A lovely clear, wind still and crisp sunny day with the last of the Autumn colours. What a change from the storm Angus on Monday evening and Tuesday. The party of ten set out across the Priorsford Bridge via the Gytes and up Janets's Brae with a short stop at the site of the Iron Age dwelling. Then on to the Blue Walk leaving Janet's Brae to walk through the woods round to the Buzzard's Nest Car Park. The Red Squirrel Walk, skirting the site of an Iron Age fort, took them down through the woods to the Glentress Centre for lunch. Some had hot Carrot and Corriander soup with their picnic lunch. Then a walk along the railway path back to Peebles. The map measures 6 miles but there was no hurry to get back. The walk was lead by Gerard Bakker