On Sunday April 16th, Easter Sunday, five members of Biggar Ramblers walked on Biggar Common. This was a good test for waterproof clothing, for it rained moderately all day, apart from a brief interlude of sleet on the Common itself.  There were rich rewards from the natural world - a large assembly of field hares at one point, a couple of brown hares at another and a pair of roe deer at a third. Lunch was enjoyed in the shelter of a tumbledown shed - the only dry spot available - and small Easter Eggs were distributed. The cloud was low but the spirits were high. The walk was a little over 8 miles and led by Bernard Airlie.

On Wednesday April 5th, ten members of Biggar Ramblers joined the Fife Coastal Path at Leven. It was an easy start to the walk, heading east along the coast to Lower Largo, passing Leven and Lundin Links Golf Courses. Lower Largo is famous as he birth place of Alexander Selkirk. He provided the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Turning left under an imposing viaduct the group continued to Keil's Den, an ancient woodland in a gorge, now cared for by the Woodland Trust. A stop was taken here among the wood anemones and bird song. A champagne lunch was enjoyed by all, to celebrate one of the walker's eightieth birthday. They then continued through the woods, passing the late 15th Century Pitcruvie  Castle and on to a marked track. This took them past a beautifully decorated wooden bench, and three kissing gates. The next place of interest was Largo Law Cemetery. From here the track went to the foot of Largo Law, an imposing volcanic plug of 290 meters. This proved too difficult to climb to the summit as the designated path was slippery, and too steep. Afterwards the walk continued through Upper Largo to the Serpentine Walk along the Largo Burn to Lower Largo. Here a leisurely stroll was taken along  Main Street admiring the buildings, in a conserved area. There was a fine statue of Alexander Serlkirk. The bus was caught back to Leven, and a much welcomed Fish Supper Tea! This was a very pleasant day, with good views across the Firth if Forth, good weather - and of course, good company!
The next walk is Biggar Common on Easter Sunday, 16th April, it is 8 miles

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.