Friday, 14 October 2022

 Biggar Ramblers annual weekend away saw them visit the beautiful Yorkshire town of Whitby, also known as the “dinosaur coast” due to the many fossils found there. The town is beautifully situated and has several interesting museums. On Thursday 29th Sept. they started with a guided walking tour of Whitby beginning at the top of the 199 steps.The guide thoroughly entertained them with stories of history and folklore. The following day they headed to the delightful fishing village of Staithes situated in a deep coastal creek by the Roxby Beck for a circular walk following the Cleveland Way along the cliff edge as far as Port Mulgrave before returning to Staithes. Next day there was a choice of 3 walks in the Robin Hood’s Bay area, 11 miles, 6 miles and 2.6 miles. On Sunday 2nd October the Ramblers sadly said goodbye to Whitby and returned home. The abiding memory will be beautiful scenery, steep hills and many many steps! www.biggarramblers.org


 Biggar Ramblers met in the lovely, busy town of Pebbles in the Scottish Borders with the river Tweed flowing through its centre. The group of six walkers made their way past the hundred-year-old Oak Tree on the roundabout in the town to pick up the waymarked route of the John Buchan Way, named after John Buchan (1875-1940), a writer and diplomat who had associations with the area. One of his most famous books was the 39 Steps.The trail took the ramblers from Pebbles to Broughton and is in two distinct sections. The first section took them to Stobo, this being the halfway point at just over 7miles. The path headed out onto the hillside. The weather had turned warm and sunny and gave them cracking views back over the town of Peebles and beyond. Once reaching Cademuir Hill where once there were Iron Age Fortes the route gradually contoured gently around the hillside on a quiet and attractive path leading to a road in Manor Valley. Following the markers the group crossed the bridge into Stobo.and gradually built up height. Once through the evergreen wooded area they got their first views of the Broughton Heights. These hills are an impressive circuit of high undulating tops which proves to be so popular with walker’s and visitors alike. Also, this place has a profound sense of remoteness even though the village of Broughton is just a few miles over the brow of the hill. The ramblers had an enjoyable day out with pleasant weather for walking. www.biggarramblers.org


 

Monday, 12 September 2022

 On Thursday 1st Sepember,a large group of sixteen Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a short, but challenging climb up Bizzyberry Hill in Biggar. The walk took place at the unusual time of 5.30 in the evening and involved walking up the recently improved public footpath including a steep final ascent, completing a short loop around the summit area and descending by the same path. It was a lovely evening and they were treated to some spectacular views of the countryside around Biggar. A 'par helion' was spotted, where duplicate images of the sun were projected on adjacent clouds. After completing the walk, and having worked up an appetite, the group attended a “bring-a-dish” buffet supper in Biggar and enjoyed a lively social evening. www.biggarramblers.org

The Ramblers walk on 28th August was from Clyde Valley Park, heading along the Clyde Walkway and turning up through a field to Nemphlar. After walking through the village, the walkers followed the road back to Crossford to partake of coffees and lunches at the Clyde Valley Park cafeteria.  Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside were enjoyed and they passed an orchard with lots of Victoria plums and apples, ripe for picking. 16 Ramblers took part on this five mile walk  where the sun never stopped shining. www.biggarramblers.org 

Ten Biggar Ramblers had a strenuous but scenically rewarding outing on Saturday 20th August just south of Broughton village.  They ascended Pykestane hill from the hamlet of Drumelzeir.  The special features of the 11 mile walk were the very pleasant lead-in along Drumelzeir Burn, the 3 mile ascent along well defined tracks all the way to the summit of Pykestane Hill and lovely views of the river Tweed during the descent.  www.biggarramblers.org