Biggar Ramblers did something very different recently enjoying an evening walk for the first time as a group. Starting from Falkirk FC, they crossed into the Helix park walking through the landscaped park area and onto a boardwalk edged with reeds at the side of the wetland. They stopped at the colourful and reflective giant ring installation, then crossed the canal and onward into the woodlands. After a brief stop at the storytelling clearing, they walked on to the Love and Kisses sculpture where they learned a little of its history. The piece de resistance was the stunning Kelpies which were beautifully illuminated, again some historical background was given to the group before the walk ended back at Falkirk FC. A very interesting 6 mile walk. See www.biggarramblers.org.uk for more info.   . 

Keeping near to home, Biggar Ramblers did a 6 mile circular walk on 16^th January out to Biggar Common. Starting from Burnbraes car park they headed up to Hillridge Farm and then followed the right of way over to Huntfield. Half way up the hill there’s a stile to climb and then the route heads over towards the plantation. It was a lovely sunny day and the views were splendid, opening out over to Black Mount, Broughton Heights, Cardon Hilll and Culter Fell. As they walked through these fields the walkers were very mindful of the livestock, especially since ewes are pregnant at this time of year. Once in the plantation, the route passed through the trees to a pond, coming back out to the open hill further west. Lunch was taken sitting on the edge of an old quarry, with views over to Tinto.  The walkers then went down the hill to the woods just north west of Langlees Farm and followed the road to Lindsaylands, back to Burnbraes via the Gas Works. This was a very enjoyable walk in weather totally unexpected for mid-January! www.biggarramblers.org.uk 

 On Wednesday 12th January 2022 twelve members of Biggar Ramblers gathered for a winter walk to explore the history of the closes in Lanark, many not having stopped before to read the information boards and enjoy the artwork. From the High Street the group then walked to New Lanark via Braxfield Road and The Beeches. A coffee break was enjoyed at the picnic benches in the village before taking the Clyde Valley Walkway to Castlebank Park and returning to the Town Centre. Contact www.biggarramblers.org 

 On Thursday 20th January a group of 10 members of Biggar Ramblers completed an undulating circular walk among the rounded hills above the Loch of the Lowes near Moffat. On a clear winter’s day with bright sunshine they started with a scenic drive to the start point past the Talla and Megget reservoirs. They walked from the car park near Tibbie Shiels Inn from where the group followed a section of the Southern Uplands Way along an old drove road which wound up the hillside past Earl’s Hill and into a sheltered valley. After a coffee stop near a burn and ruined shepherd’s cottage, they climbed up higher and along a grassy ridge on Pikestone Rig. Turning off the ridge, they descended on a winding path with spectacular views of the loch and surrounding hills.  lunch was by a pebble beach at the foot of the loch, before completing the walk by following the loch-side path back to the starting point. A great walk on a glorious day.Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk

Biggar Ramblers first walk of 2022 was a 4mile ramble through

Motherwell’s Dalzell Estate and Barons Haugh RSPB nature reserve.

The ramble started from the icy carpark and wound through the historic

Dalzell Estate which has a fascinating history starting as a royal hunting

lodge in 843, owned by the Dalzell family until 1647 when it came into

the hands of the Hamilton family. The Estate then passed down through

successive generations of the Hamilton family until 1952 when the family

moved to Surrey. Later North Lanarkshire Council bought the estate and

in 1985 sold the house for just 1p! The walk took in several historical

features such as the Ha Ha (1724), curling pond, Japanese Garden,

arboretum, Lord Gavin’s Temple, and St Patrick’s Chapel.

The paths were very muddy, but the sun made an entrance and stayed

to help give good views as the walk went through a mix of parkland and

woodland perched on the banks of the River Clyde.

Continuing into the RSPB Baron’s Haugh which contains a variety of

habitats most notably wetland (the haughland), woodland, parkland and

riverside. Here several species of birds were spotted including tree

creeper, red wings and a peregrine falcon. The walk took in two of the

four hides situated around the haugh which gave spectacular views of a

variety of birds – grey wagtail, gadwall, moorhen, mute swan, goldeneye, greylag geese and grey heron. Everyone agreed a great way to start 2022. Contact www.biggarramblers.org.uk