The rain was falling really heavily when seven ramblers met at Strathaven on 31 October. They were doing a four-mile circular walk leaving Strathaven and going by country lanes to Sandford. Fortunately, the rain had abated by the time they stopped for elevenses at Sandford. Being Hallow'een, one of the group members was suitably hatted and had brought a Hallow'een treat all There were lots of leaves afoot but still plenty left on the trees to give a spectacular show. The heavy rain showed the Spectacle E'e  falls at their finest. The river was swollen but it had not overflown and they were able to walk along the side of the Kype water until reaching the bridge just beyond where the Kype and Avon meet. From there it was a short walk up the field to climb a stile on to the pavement taking them back to Strathaven. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 

Despite heavy rain during the night and early morning 6 ramblers met at Dunsyre to walk to the Covenanter's grave. Before the walk started they heard about the drawing up of the National Covenant in 1638 which led to violent unrest for most of the 17th century, Dunsyre was a great covenanting area.

They started the walk near the cultivation terraces on the road to Easton Farm and followed the farm track crossing two very deep and fast flowing fords to the base of Black Law. Before climbing the hill they heard of a Covenanter fleeing from the Battle of Rullion Green near Penicuik in November of 1666. He was badly wounded but managed to make his way to the hills around Dunsyre. He was found by Adam Sanderson, a shepherd. Knowing he was dying the covenanter asked the shepherd to bury him in sight of the Ayrshire hills. Sanderson carried out the covenanter's wishes and erected a stone which is now in Blackmount Church. The present stone was erected in 1841.( More Village Trails by Rosemary Turpie)

Until now the weather had been very pleasant and they were rewarded with fantastic views but as they started climbing the hill the wind and rain set in. They had a brief visit to the stone

The spot is atmospheric in any weather but the moors and hills around them were very bleak in the wind and rain and made them appreciate the covenanters efforts and unfortunately they could not see the Ayrshire hills.

They headed back down the hill and found several grouse butts which gave welcome shelter while they had a brief lunch by which time the rain was passed. They returned to the cars by the same track and managed to finish the walk before the rain set in in earnest. A very enjoyable walk of about 8miles. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 Biggar Ramblers met on Saturday 23 rd October to walk 8 miles starting at the village of Wanlockhead..The weather throughout the day was misty over the tops of the hills with occasional rain showers and high winds. The group of eight walked on the Southern Upland Way past the mine workings in Meadowfoot before crossing the bridge over Wanlock Waters, then made their ascent up a steep rough, muddy grass path to the open flat moorlands above with its excellent views of the rolling country hills. The weather did not keep the occasional group of runners from making their way past the walkers along the rough and at times isolated path, which was once home to the Covenanters, with its forests and valleys and majestic hills of the SUW from St John’s Town of Dalry to Moffat. After stopping to cheer and clap the runners to encourage them on their way the ramblers continued along the path which eventually led them down to the ruins of Goghead farm before turning off from the main SUW path and onto the circular path which would take them back to the start of the walk. Here they had the chance to look for the Kists with their treasure hoard, a minted coin or token. The Kists are made to blend into the environment and can be found around a metre or so from the path, they are to be found in each of the thirteen sections of the SUW. Each of the walkers were delighted with a coin, and then went back onto the track to find somewhere sheltered out of the wind for lunch, after this it was back to the starting point on an undulating track. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

 17 members of Biggar Ramblers walked seven miles of the John Buchan Way from Stobo to Broughton in October, a day that started as a delightfully bright Autumn morning. The special feature of this walk is that it passes through three valleys: Harrow Hope, Stobo Hope and Broughton Hope. At the top of the ridge between each one, there is a dramatic change of view into the next valley. There are gentle climbs and descents, unveiling wonderful countryside, without the challenge of scaling an individual peak. There’s a remarkable hexagonal sheepfold just below Hopehead Rig. The only drawback on this occasion was that the weather closed in as the morning wore on. The walkers were walking into stronger winds, especially between Hammerhead and Brooomyside. It must have been the windiest lunch spot this year, where the gusts whipped the coffee out of our cups! Nevertheless, they kept up a good pace and all returned well pleased with the walk. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk for more information. 

 Despite heavy rain overnight 6 ramblers met at Dunsyre on the morning of October 27th to walk to the Covenanter's grave. Before the walk started they heard some of the history of the Covenanters. The drawing up of the national Covenant in 1638 which led to violent unrest for most of the 17th century, Dunsyre was a great covenanting area. They started the walk near the cultivation terraces on the road to Easton Farm and followed the farm track crossing two very deep and fast flowing fords to the base of Black law. Before climbing the hill they heard of a Covenanter fleeing from the Battle of Rullion Green near Penicuik. He was badly wounded but managed to make his way to the Dunsyre hills. he was found by a shepherd called Adam Sanderson. Knowing he was dying he asked the shepherd to bury him in sight of the Ayrshire hills. Sanderson carried out the covenanter's wish and erected a stone which is now in Blackmount Church. The present stone was erected in 1841.

Until now the weather had been very pleasant and they were rewarded with fantastic views although the moor and the hills around were very bleak, as they started climbing the hill the wind and rain set in. They had a brief visit to the stone, the area is very atmospheric in all weathers but they did not see the Ayrshire hills. They decided to head down the hill and found several grouse butts which made nice shelters for a short lunch by which time the rain had passed. They returned to the cars by the same track and managed to finish the walk before the rain set in in earnest. An enjoyable walk of about 8 miles.