The objective of the Biggar ramblers walk on 6th November was the twin hills of Blackcraig and Blacklorg Hills near New Cumnock. After positioning the cars at the end of the walk 10 walkers with the walk leader Brian Henry set of just before 11 o'clock. Passing a small copse a group of Fieldfares were disturbed and flew off in protest. Following the track up to Quentin Knowe the expansion of Hare Hill wind farm could been seen quite close. Shortly after the cairn the route turned south to start the ascent up the shoulder of Blackcraig Hill. During this section the group saw over to the Isle of Arran and later Ailsa Craig. A lunch break was taken at the summit after finding a lee from the cold Northerly wind. A good path although damp in places led the group to the next summit of Blacklorg Hill. On this section a fox was unhappy at the intrusion and ran off down the valley. From Blacklorg the summit of our last hill walk, Benbrack, could be seen as well as the hills further into Dumfries and Galloway. Brian described his next walk on the area just to the south. The walk continued to Cannock Hill and down behind Craigraneoch Rig to get out of the wind and to Afton Reservoir. It was on this section that the Ben Lomond and Arrochar hills could be seen. At the reservoir dam the group descended the unusual arrangement of steps leading down to the road and the end of the walk.

On Wednesday 26th October four walkers set off by train to Milngavie to walk a section of the West Highland Way. However there had to be a change of plan due to the breakdown of a train on the line so Plan B took the group to Balloch, where, after a coffee, the walk continued into Balloch Park along the River Leven to the shores of Loch Lomond following for some time the John Muir Trail before the steady climb to the late lunch spot giving magnificent views across to the far shore of the loch at Cameron House and the hills beyond. From there the route continued among the autumn trees down past Balloch Castle where much renovation is underway and eventually met the road leading back to the station. Although this was not the intended walk the group appreciated the fine, mild weather in a new area and he autumn colours added to their pleasure.

Biggar Ramblers-Saturday, 22 October - On a bright Autumn morning 7 walkers started off on a circular walk from Newlands Kirk via Flemington. With the road walk behind them, the party walked up past Romano Mains farm. Before entering the woodland part of the walk, clear views were had of West Linton, Mendick Hill and the surrounding area. Following a stop for coffee, the next part of the walk was between the hills of Drum Maw and Hag Law, the valley of Flemington Burn and then around Whiteside Hill with wonderful views of Callands, Bordlands and along the Lyne Valley. After the walk the party enjoyed a well deserved lunch at the Old Bakehouse Restaurant in West Linton.

On a cool Wednesday morning the 12th October the Biggar Ramblers set off from Wakefield at Baddingsgill for a 6.5 mile trek around to Baddingsgill Reservoir and the Cauldstane Slap. Just after Wakefield House the group dipped down following a track  around part of Lyne Water up onto a pathway from Stoneypath Farm to Baddingsgill House. From there the Group turned right after the gate and climbed up through a small wood and through a gate at the top settled to break for a well earned view of Baddingsgill Reservoir.  From there The Group traversed the hillside down to the head of the reservoir and walking left to the end turned right at the Gamekeeper's House to an old Drover's track signposted to the Cauldstane Slap. Here the Ramblers steadily walked the clearly marked track over moorland to the boundary fence line. At that point there is a marker plaque about the Cauldstane Slap, it mentioned that ' The track was used as a drove road for moving cattle from the trysts at Falkirk and Stenhousemuir via West Linton to Peebles. Cattle were last driven over the Slap at the end of the nineteenth century.' Walkers use the track these days. There the Ramblers stopped to take lunch and look at the view over Harperigg Reservoir. The Group turned around and set off back along the track from whence they came straight back down this time to where the cars were parked at Treeline where there are some parking spaces logged out for cars. The Ramblers then retired to West Linton Golf Club for some well earned refreshments.
Walk leader: Carolyne Murray

On Sunday October 2nd a small group of Biggar Ramblers set off for a walk around Strathclyde Park led by Lynn Weir. It was very misty at first, but this cleared quickly to give good views over the loch and park. The walkers explored The Bothwellhaugh Roman Baths and afterwards spotted a large heron at the South Calder Water. A leisurely stroll was taken back to the car park after lunch was taken at a nearby garden centre. This was one of Biggar Ramblers easier walks, but never the less most enjoyable.