On 1st April, Biggar Ramblers headed for the hills. Starting from Moffat Well, a small select party followed the track to Blaebeck Farm, and then ascended Greygill Head, from where Moffat and the hills beyond were faintly discernible through the rolling mist. On the way up the hill, one of the party laid claim to an interesting animal skull which he carried for the rest of the walk, to the slight discomfort of the group. A steady drizzle set in as the party trudged across rough terrain towards Blue Cairn and Swatte Fell. The tops of the hills were hidden by the mist and low cloud which sometimes enveloped us and sometimes parted briefly to reveal the way ahead. But at the top of Swatte Fell, the weather shouted "April Fool" and the clouds cleared away to reveal stunning views down into the deep canyon of Black Hope and across to Saddle Yoke and the hills towards the Grey Mares Tail. The ground fell away sharply and the walkers had to be careful not to stray too near the edge. While lunch was being enjoyed, the party spotted a flock of feral goats who kept a safe distance but did not seem too bothered by our presence. The party then headed to the top of Birnock Cloves, on the way encountering a friendly toad whose posed considerately for photographs. The sun was shining as the party made the short steep descent to the narrow valley of the Birnock Water and joined an easy track to the start.

A four mile walk was the order of the day on 23rd March with the weather staying dry. The walkers set out from Stonehouse Park, along the banks of the Avon and from there followed the country roads to arrive back in the park. Two of the party listened to the song of a robin for a while and everyone stopped to admire a full shed of lambs and their mothers as a farm was passed. After the walk, the party made their way to Route 74 Truck Stop at Lesmahagow where lunch and a chat was enjoyed.

Walk Report - 19th March 2017
Despite an unpromising weather forecast ten members of Biggar Ramblers met at Chatelherault Visitor Centre for a leisurely 6 mile walk to Strathclyde Park and back. We started by going through the Deer Park and onto the Avon Walkway, where we had to detour up onto the A723 due to the high water levels under the bridge at the confluence of the Avon Water and River Clyde.
Fortunately we all made it safely across the dual carriageway to continue along the Clyde Walkway to the Watersports Centre in Strathclyde Park where we had a welcome coffee break, while watching the rowers and other sailing boats on the loch. Our return leg took us on the path alongside the noisy M74 but after dodging the A723 traffic again to cross onto the Avon Walkway it became more peaceful again. Once back at the Chatelerhault Estate we managed to find an obligatory muddy path and a steep climb out of the gorge back to the visitor centre in time for lunch. Fortunately the weather forecast did not live up to its expectations and we had a dry and warm walk with only a short light shower towards the end of the walk.

The walk was advertised as from Innerleithen back to Peebles over the top via Lee Pen but owing to the forecast for strong headwinds from the west it was decided to do the walk in reverse. Eight walkers lead by Gerard Bakker set out from the Kingsmeadow Car Park going past the Hydro Hotel towards the Shieldgreen Centre. They left the forest road opposite Glenbield and turned right to climb up into the Glentress Forest, then turning northwards up towards the Dunslair Heights Mast. Coffee was had at the lower end of the Soonhope Craig in the open where the forest had been felled. They turned south short of the mast and then followed the wall with the shelter of the forest on the right and open country on the left. Once they had descended to Leithen Door and climbed up the other side they had a well earned lunch, found a patch free of the remains of snow drift and nestling down behind the wall for shelter. Then they were out in the open hillside with strong gusts measuring 36MPH and on towards Lee Pen. Good clear views and a rest at Lea Pen before descending to Innerleithen just in time for the bus back.

The seven and a half mile walk taken by six people on Saturday 4th March from Denholm to Hawick following the River Teviot as part of the Borders Abbey Way was like others at this time of year-misty at the start, sunny as the day went on, dry despite the weather forecast but very muddy. Even the section of road walking had its fair share of puddles and the river banks showed signs of recent high water levels with debris several feet up in the tree branches. But all this was made up for with the flowers that lined the whole route; swathes of snowdrops, some early daffodils and the smell of the still to open wild garlic. Although the group had no need for the spare car left in Hawick, since the return could have been made by the bus, it was an added luxury to be driven back to collect the cars at Denholm and this gave time for a post-walk tea and cake in Morrison's before the journey home.