A group of 8 members of Biggar Ramblers took to the Moffat hills recently Starting from Talla

Linnfoots the group walked beside the Gameshope Burn once described as the burn of a hundred

waterfalls. After 2 miles the waterside walk changed into a hill ascent to the summit of Molls

Cleauch Dod. The original plan to walk onto Lochcraig Head overlooking Loch Skeen changed when the conditions worsened near the summit. The walk leader decided it would not be worthwhile continuing and all agreed to cut the walk short. The route was then to contour Molls Cleuch Dod northwards at 700 metres height and cross the saddle between Molls Cleuch Dod and Carlavin Hill descend=ng to Talla Water. Once Talla Water was reached a break was called for lunch. Refreshed but still wet the descent on the road led the group back to Talla Linnfoots. www.biggarramblers.org

Ten members of the Biggar Ramblers travelled up the Ayr valley to Kames on 29th October to complete a circular 6 mile walk up Cairn Table. Although we left the car park in the dry the rain soon began to fall, lightly at first. The ground conditions were already very wet and muddy following recent downfalls, but we continued up the steady incline taking a quick coffee at the point called ‘the Steel’. Continuing we ascended to the top against the brisk winds, taking brief shelter against the towering Cairn, a memorial to those who gave their lives in WW1 from the Muirkirk area. Heading down the south west slope of the hill was tricky due to the rocky and slippery path. Taking a quick stop for lunch in a sheltered hollow, the rain continued to fall, but we managed to negotiate the hazardous conditions safely down to the more sheltered tracks used by miners over the last two centuries. Passing the cairn to the road builder John ‘Tar’ McAdam, we returned to the start point, wet and windswept, but satisfied that we had completed a significant challenge. Notwithstanding the inclement weather we had enjoyed great views over the Ayr Valley and the former industrial archeological landscape of Muirkirk and the surrounding area.

 

 

Nineteen Ramblers from Biggar enjoyed a 5-smile walk at Stobo on Sunday October 16th.  The walk started at Stobo Village Hall and followed part of the John Buchan Way as far as a derelict cottage at the foot of Harrow Hope.  This provided an ideal spot for a coffee break and a photo opportunity. Some Roe Deer were seen nearby. The walk continued on a good track towards Stobo Castle, stopping only for lunch at an attractive little reservoir on Weston Burn.  The weather was perfect for walking with pleasant sunshine and only a few light clouds. www.biggarramblers.org

 Biggar Ramblers recently walked part of the Water of Leith. The walkers left the visitor centre in the Slateford area of Edinburgh and headed for Leith. Points of interest along the way included Saughton Rose Gardens where the party had a look round the lovely gardens and a coffee stop in the glasshouse. Murrayfield Rugby Ground was next and Roseburn Park where there was a very interesting mural to celebrate the Armoury's function built at the outset of WW2 for air raid protection. Then they walked on to Dean Village with the very impressive red brick building of Well Court and clock tower commissioned in the 1880's by J R Finlay, the then Proprietor of the Scotsman Newspaper. Next they passed Dean Bridge, St George's Well and St Bernard's Well, Stockbridge and the Colonies where the walkers stopped for a lunch break and then on to Canonmills and The Shore in Leith to complete this part of the Water of Leith. A varied and interesting walk of 7.5 miles on a pleasant autumn day. Well earned refreshments were had at the end of walk before the bus journey back to the cars in Lanark Road. www.biggarramblers.org

 A group of  7 Biggar Ramblers took part in their recent walk from Lamington cemetery to the Lower and Upper Cowgill reservoirs. After crossing the busy main road, they took the path up through the woods and fields into the quiet valley at the side of Lamington hill. Near a farm house the path turns sharply to the right, and there is a gradual incline up to Lower Cowgill reservoir, and further on to the Upper reservoir where they had a well deserved lunch break in the shelter of the woods.. A variety of fungi were spotted in the woodlands and the trees were showing their autumnal foliage. The return was mostly by the same route with a slight deviation towards the last mile back to Lamington. www.biggarramblers. org