On Wednesday 12th January 2022 twelve members of Biggar Ramblers gathered for a winter walk to explore the history of the closes in Lanark, many not having stopped before to read the information boards and enjoy the artwork. From the High Street the group then walked to New Lanark via Braxfield Road and The Beeches. A coffee break was enjoyed at the picnic benches in the village before taking the Clyde Valley Walkway to Castlebank Park and returning to the Town Centre. Contact www.biggarramblers.org 

 On Thursday 20th January a group of 10 members of Biggar Ramblers completed an undulating circular walk among the rounded hills above the Loch of the Lowes near Moffat. On a clear winter’s day with bright sunshine they started with a scenic drive to the start point past the Talla and Megget reservoirs. They walked from the car park near Tibbie Shiels Inn from where the group followed a section of the Southern Uplands Way along an old drove road which wound up the hillside past Earl’s Hill and into a sheltered valley. After a coffee stop near a burn and ruined shepherd’s cottage, they climbed up higher and along a grassy ridge on Pikestone Rig. Turning off the ridge, they descended on a winding path with spectacular views of the loch and surrounding hills.  lunch was by a pebble beach at the foot of the loch, before completing the walk by following the loch-side path back to the starting point. A great walk on a glorious day.Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

Biggar Ramblers first walk of 2022 was a 4mile ramble through

Motherwell’s Dalzell Estate and Barons Haugh RSPB nature reserve.

The ramble started from the icy carpark and wound through the historic

Dalzell Estate which has a fascinating history starting as a royal hunting

lodge in 843, owned by the Dalzell family until 1647 when it came into

the hands of the Hamilton family. The Estate then passed down through

successive generations of the Hamilton family until 1952 when the family

moved to Surrey. Later North Lanarkshire Council bought the estate and

in 1985 sold the house for just 1p! The walk took in several historical

features such as the Ha Ha (1724), curling pond, Japanese Garden,

arboretum, Lord Gavin’s Temple, and St Patrick’s Chapel.

The paths were very muddy, but the sun made an entrance and stayed

to help give good views as the walk went through a mix of parkland and

woodland perched on the banks of the River Clyde.

Continuing into the RSPB Baron’s Haugh which contains a variety of

habitats most notably wetland (the haughland), woodland, parkland and

riverside. Here several species of birds were spotted including tree

creeper, red wings and a peregrine falcon. The walk took in two of the

four hides situated around the haugh which gave spectacular views of a

variety of birds – grey wagtail, gadwall, moorhen, mute swan, goldeneye, greylag geese and grey heron. Everyone agreed a great way to start 2022. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 It is traditional for Biggar Ramblers that the last walk before Christmas is the mince pie walk. This year, on a fine sunny morning, 18 Ramblers did a circular walk from Manor Bridge, heading off along the old railway line. In parts the track was muddy and the old railway ballast made it rough underfoot, but after crossing Lyne Water and walking through Lyne Station they reached the picnic table. Here they enjoyed mince pies, Ecclefechan cakes and coffee, along with a seasonal rendition of ‘The Night Before Christmas’ from one of their number!

Much refreshed, they crossed the Tweed where the full river made it clear why there is no longer a ford at that point, though it is possible to trace the remains of a track leading up to Barns.  Once past the Tower, there were significant signs of storm damage to be seen among the trees along the Tweed Walk Way, though some of the replacement beech planting is coming on well.  On the river, quite a large family of ducks provided entertainment as they swam against the current and down with it by turns. All in all, a very pleasant morning walk in the sun. See www.biggarramblers.org.uk for more information.

One of Biggar Ramblers winter walks recently was to visit the Great Polish Map of Scotland at

Eddleston. The group of 10 started near the Scots Pine café outside Eddleston and walked to the

Barony Castle Hotel where the map is. After crossing the ‘ravine’ the group viewed the map from

the platform and spent time learning about the history of the map, of Sergeant Jan Tomasik and his

friend General Stanisław Maczek. Leaving the map, the walkers went up through the woods to reach the old post road for a coffee break. Then it was northwards along the old route past Hare laws. Leaving the Old Post Road onto the farm road to Darnhall Mains the group were afforded a clear view of Dundreich, a hill climbed recently by the group. From the farm it was a short and easy route back to the start and the end of a short but interesting 4 mile walk. Contact www.biggarramblers.co.uk 

 Although the visibility was poor there were 8 of us on the walk on Wednesday. The views of the gorge and the castle were taken the week before on my recce with Phil when the view was clearer. Phil was on a plane to Australia when we walked this week. Five of us had lunch at the Tillietudlem Inn at the end of the walk. 

The rain was falling really heavily when seven ramblers met at Strathaven on 31 October. They were doing a four-mile circular walk leaving Strathaven and going by country lanes to Sandford. Fortunately, the rain had abated by the time they stopped for elevenses at Sandford. Being Hallow'een, one of the group members was suitably hatted and had brought a Hallow'een treat all There were lots of leaves afoot but still plenty left on the trees to give a spectacular show. The heavy rain showed the Spectacle E'e  falls at their finest. The river was swollen but it had not overflown and they were able to walk along the side of the Kype water until reaching the bridge just beyond where the Kype and Avon meet. From there it was a short walk up the field to climb a stile on to the pavement taking them back to Strathaven. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 

Despite heavy rain during the night and early morning 6 ramblers met at Dunsyre to walk to the Covenanter's grave. Before the walk started they heard about the drawing up of the National Covenant in 1638 which led to violent unrest for most of the 17th century, Dunsyre was a great covenanting area.

They started the walk near the cultivation terraces on the road to Easton Farm and followed the farm track crossing two very deep and fast flowing fords to the base of Black Law. Before climbing the hill they heard of a Covenanter fleeing from the Battle of Rullion Green near Penicuik in November of 1666. He was badly wounded but managed to make his way to the hills around Dunsyre. He was found by Adam Sanderson, a shepherd. Knowing he was dying the covenanter asked the shepherd to bury him in sight of the Ayrshire hills. Sanderson carried out the covenanter's wishes and erected a stone which is now in Blackmount Church. The present stone was erected in 1841.( More Village Trails by Rosemary Turpie)

Until now the weather had been very pleasant and they were rewarded with fantastic views but as they started climbing the hill the wind and rain set in. They had a brief visit to the stone

The spot is atmospheric in any weather but the moors and hills around them were very bleak in the wind and rain and made them appreciate the covenanters efforts and unfortunately they could not see the Ayrshire hills.

They headed back down the hill and found several grouse butts which gave welcome shelter while they had a brief lunch by which time the rain was passed. They returned to the cars by the same track and managed to finish the walk before the rain set in in earnest. A very enjoyable walk of about 8miles. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 Biggar Ramblers met on Saturday 23 rd October to walk 8 miles starting at the village of Wanlockhead..The weather throughout the day was misty over the tops of the hills with occasional rain showers and high winds. The group of eight walked on the Southern Upland Way past the mine workings in Meadowfoot before crossing the bridge over Wanlock Waters, then made their ascent up a steep rough, muddy grass path to the open flat moorlands above with its excellent views of the rolling country hills. The weather did not keep the occasional group of runners from making their way past the walkers along the rough and at times isolated path, which was once home to the Covenanters, with its forests and valleys and majestic hills of the SUW from St John’s Town of Dalry to Moffat. After stopping to cheer and clap the runners to encourage them on their way the ramblers continued along the path which eventually led them down to the ruins of Goghead farm before turning off from the main SUW path and onto the circular path which would take them back to the start of the walk. Here they had the chance to look for the Kists with their treasure hoard, a minted coin or token. The Kists are made to blend into the environment and can be found around a metre or so from the path, they are to be found in each of the thirteen sections of the SUW. Each of the walkers were delighted with a coin, and then went back onto the track to find somewhere sheltered out of the wind for lunch, after this it was back to the starting point on an undulating track. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 17 members of Biggar Ramblers walked seven miles of the John Buchan Way from Stobo to Broughton in October, a day that started as a delightfully bright Autumn morning. The special feature of this walk is that it passes through three valleys: Harrow Hope, Stobo Hope and Broughton Hope. At the top of the ridge between each one, there is a dramatic change of view into the next valley. There are gentle climbs and descents, unveiling wonderful countryside, without the challenge of scaling an individual peak. There’s a remarkable hexagonal sheepfold just below Hopehead Rig. The only drawback on this occasion was that the weather closed in as the morning wore on. The walkers were walking into stronger winds, especially between Hammerhead and Brooomyside. It must have been the windiest lunch spot this year, where the gusts whipped the coffee out of our cups! Nevertheless, they kept up a good pace and all returned well pleased with the walk. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk for more information.