On Wednesday during Lanark lanimer week, Biggar Ramblers headed to Linlithgow for a 9 mile walk along the Union canal. Starting from Linlithgow train station they walked on the very flat tow path, passing families of swans and ducks on the water. The canal was built in 1822, closed in 1965 and reopened in 2001 as part of the Millenium Link. The group walked over the Avon Aqueduct with great views over the valley, then had a lovely coffee n cake stop at a canal side cafe. Fully refreshed they proceeded on the tow path and through the Falkirk tunnel, a Victorian cobbled orifice of 630 meters, which has been well maintained with lighting and handrails. The walkers returned to Linlithgow by train from Falkirk High Station. www.biggarramblers.org.uk.

 The recent hill walk of Biggar Ramblers was to visit all 4 Striding Arches at Cairnhead near Moniaive.  The Striding Arches, built by outdoor artist Andy Goldsworthy, each consist of 31 red sandstone blocks weighing 27 tons, standing at 4 meters high and spanning across seven meters.  They represent Scots emigrating to other parts of the world over the last 200 years.

 

The walk started in the middle of Dalwhat Glen and after a mile the Byre Arch was reached.  This is the only arch accessible by vehicle.  After a look around the Byre, noting the inscriptions and display about Cairnhead the group headed off to the forest track to ascend Benbrack and the 2^nd arch.  However this was not to be as Storm Arwen had decimated part of the forest and the route to Benbrack was blocked by fallen trees.  The alternative was to return to the main vehicle track and ascend through the forest and reach the planned route.  A visit to the Benbrack Arch was sacrificed.

 

Once on the route again the next arch was at the top of Colt Hill.  From here the views were primarily north towards the hills of East Ayrshire.  Turning south the group set off for the final arch but again the route was blocked by fallen trees and a detour had to be made into the forest and use the main track.  From here there was a steady ascent back onto Green Hill to re-join the route to the 4^th and final arch on Bail Hill.  This is the only viewpoint where the location of all arches can be seen.

 

From Bail Hill, there was only ½ mile to reach the start but it was a straight descent of 900 feet through a very boggy forest firebreak which had numerous frogs scampering for cover as the group descended.  The walk was just under 10 miles but 1 mile of this was to backtrack after meeting the Storm Arwen damage. www.biggarramblers.org

Biggar Ramblers did a circular 7 mile walk on Sunday 8^th May to climb Penvalla Hill. This is not a high summit – 547metres – but as with many hills in the Stobo area, there are 360^o views of Tinto, Culter Fell and more.  Starting from Stobo Village Hall, the 14 walkers followed the track past Home Farm to join the John Buchan Way as far as the ridge between Hammer Knowe and Hammer Rig where they struck off north up Mid Hill and then Penvalla, with short stretches of steep climb.

 

The weather was grand and the group enjoyed the views opening up along the valley. The skylarks were in full song and so was a cuckoo from a stand of Scots Pine to the right of the JB Way. The walkers enjoyed lunch on the top, just off the summit to avoid the wind. The circular route meant descending via Huskie Rig, with a steep ‘off piste’ stretch over moss, heather and grass back to the path on the western side of Harrow Hope. They then crossed the valley via deer paths to join the track along the eastern side of the valley, just below the stone sheep fold. Along that path, wet in places from hill run off, they saw large numbers of primroses and surprised a couple of sun-bathing lizards. After reaching the ruined shepherd’s cottage by the ford, they rejoined the stone track back to the car park. Altogether an enjoyable energising walk in our lovely countryside! www.biggarramblers.org.uk 

Nine members of the Biggar Ramblers undertook the 7 mile loop up to the ‘Three Brethren’ cairns from Yarrowford, near Selkirk. In sunshine and blustery conditions the trig point at 1500 ft was reached in a little over 2 hours. The breeze had cleared any haze and glorious views were enjoyed of the Eildon hills, down onto Clovenfords to the north and far along the Yarrow valley to the south west. The group managed to consume their lunch just before an unwelcome shower dampened proceedings. Fortunately it was short lived and the expansive views were restored as the walkers made their way along the old Drovers road which forms part of the Southern Upland Way. At the end of the walk the group retired to the Waterwheel cafe at Philiphaugh for a well earned cup of tea. www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 

 At the end of April six members of Biggar Ramblers set out to climb Scotland’s most southerly Munro, Ben Lomond.  From Rowardennan they started up the Ptarmigan path and shortly after clearing the wood the sound of a cuckoo could be clearly heard.  But it was further up the path the interest of the walkers was drawn to the Luss hulls across the loch.  Then there was the first sighting of The Cobbler above Arrochar.  And further on the Arrochar Alps, the hills of Beinn Narnain, Beinn Ime and Ben Vane came into view.  On reaching Ptarmigan the hills opened even more to reveal Ben Vorlich and the Tyndrum Hills and the first of the Crianlarich Hills.

 

At this point the group were ready to make the final ascent up to the summit but had lunch first.  The last 500 feet was their most challenging but once the summit was reached they felt the views after the ascent were well worth it.  The weather was dry and clear giving views into the Highlands to the north.  The walk leader was able to name several of the hills and was delighted to be able to point out Ben Nevis to the group.  After the customary group photographs the walkers descended the now named Ben Lomond Hill Route but previously known as the Tourist Route.  After the walk one of the group said, “it was a good to be alive day”. www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 Biggar Ramblers did a circular 7 mile walk on Sunday 8^thMay to climb Penvalla Hill. This is not a high summit – 547metres – but as with many hills in the Stobo area, there 360^o views of Tinto, Culter Fell and so on.  Starting from Stobo Village Hall, the 14 walkers followed the track past Home Farm to join the John Buchan Way as far as the ridge between Hammer Knowe and Hammer Rig where they struck off north up Mid Hill and then Penvalla, with short stretches of steep climb. 

 

The weather was grand and the group enjoyed the views opening up along the valley. The skylarks were in full song and so was a cuckoo from a stand of Scots Pine to the right of the JB Way. The walkers enjoyed lunch on the top, just off the summit to avoid the wind. The circular route meant descending via Huskie Rig, with a steep ‘off piste’ stretch over moss, heather and grass back to the path on the western side of Harrow Hope. They then crossed the valley via deer paths to join the track along the eastern side of the valley, just below the stone sheep fold. Along that path, wet in places from hill run off, they saw large numbers of primroses and surprised a couple of sun-bathing lizards. After reaching the ruined shepherd’s cottage by the ford, they rejoined the stone track back to the car park. Altogether an enjoyable energising walk in our lovely countryside!

Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a lovely walk from Cramond Village to South Queensferry recently passing many points of interest including Cramond Island and the dragons teeth, Eagle Rock, Dalmeny House with the statue of King Tom overlooking the shore, Barnbougle Castle, Hound Point Terminal, Hawes Pier. having walked beneath the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge, the group had a great view of the Forth Road bridge and the Queensferry Crossing, seeing all 3 bridges together was indeed something special. As well as Cramond Island with the Isle of May in the distance, the walkers could see the islands of Inchkeith, Inchmickery and Inchcolm with Inch Garvie beneath the Rail Bridge. This was an interesting walk of around 8 miles. On reaching South Queensferry a well earned refreshment and cake was had by all before heading for the bus back to Cramond Brig to complete the remainder of the walk to Cramond. www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 

 At the beginning of April a small group of Biggar Ramblers had an interesting experience when they took part in an evening walk in Lanark. The group visited St Kentegrens church and walked through the ancient arch, dating back to the days of William Wallace. After walking through the graveyard they proceeded down the Beeches, cutting left before New Lanark towards Bonnington power station. By this time the darkness had descended, and they donned their head torches for the climb up to Corra Linn viewpoint. The group then walked alongside the Clyde to New Lanark, with its beautifully illuminated buildings and then on towards Lanark high street where St Nicholas church was also beautifully illuminated. All agreed doing this walk in the dark made it a completely different experience. www.biggarramblers.org