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