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
