Biggar Ramblers

On Thursday 14th December ten members of Biggar Ramblers met up at Manor Bridge, off the A72 near Peebles, for their final walk of 2023. The walkers started a 4 mile circular walk by crossing the Manor Bridge, and following the footpath along the disused railway to the sheltered little Hamlet of Lyne where a footpath took them back across the Tweed and soon joined the driveway to Barns House, passing the 16 th Century Barns Tower where the group stopped for coffee in some landscaped parkland. The final part of the walk took the walkers back onto a riverside path which they followed to the startpoint. After enjoying this pleasant walk with lovely views of the Tweed and surrounding hillside, the group completed their morning with a welcome mince pie and cup of warming mulled wine.

Biggar Ramblers had a challenging snowy day for a recent walk up to Hammerhead and Trahenna. The road up to the walkers’ car park at Broughton Place was iced so the group started from the Village Hall car park and enjoyed the snowy beech avenue on the way up. Since RDS had started work on the Broughton Hope forestry project in September, the plan was to follow the usual route up to the ridge and along to Trahenna and Hammerhead, making use of the new fencing and gates. However, in the event, the cloud was so low that there was no point in venturing out onto Trahenna for the additional ascent (549m) and views!

Read more: Hammerhead and Trahenna 2nd Dec 23

Congratulations to the 13 Ramblers on 8^th November who believed the weather forecast! Despite torrential rain at the Corn Exchange, with fast flowing gutters, when the group set off, by the time they reached Elsrickle to start the walk, the rain had eased, and lighter skies were visible.  

As the walkers set off up the drove road from Elsrickle to Walston the weather continued to improve, and the views opened out. As the group descended into Walston they appreciated South Lanarkshire’s equestrian and walker friendly gates, providing well fenced paths through the last section. Ramblers were greeted at that point by a fascinating variety of animals at the animal sanctuary, ranging from cattle and sheep to goats, geese, chickens, a collection of very active Gloucester old spot pigs and a noble Turkey gobbler who, though he has aged somewhat since our last visit, still managed an impressive display in defence of his territory! The walk through the village was interesting, passing the old rectory and church with a graveyard offering splendid views over the valley.

Read more: Elsrickle to Walston Circular 8th Nov 2023

On 4th November, 2023, 15 Ramblers took advantage of a lovely Autumn day for a visit to Crawick Multiverse.   After meeting at Crawfordjohn, the B740 was followed with first Duneaton Water and then Crawick Water adding to the spectacular scenery.   After morning coffee, Crawick Multiverse was explored, this constituting an abandoned coal mine transformed by the late world-renowned architect and designer Charles Jenks into a landscape of landforms representing cosmological and astronomical features and theories.   This was more of a meander than a ramble giving the group lots to chat about.   The views too over the countryside towards Sanquhar were beautiful and the train heading for Dumfries passed on a couple of occasions.   Lunch was enjoyed in lovely sunshine before heading home.

A Biggar Ramblers walk early in October was the Cloich Forest Loop. Six walkers started from

Eddleston. The route took them through the Barony Castle woods and out onto the Old Post Road at Swiss Cabin Cottage. Then it was north to a coffee stop in the wood, sheltered from the winds gusting 30 mph. At Shiplaw the route took them west to enter the Cloich Forest although enter was not the correct word as the route clung to the outside of the forest most of the way. With the remote cottage of Courhope in sight the group entered the forest properly to follow a pleasant path to Stewarton. Again on the Old Post Road they turned north crossing open fields to reach the woods at the Fairydean Burn. Coming through the woods and then entering the Barony Castle grounds again the group spent time visiting the Polish Map of Scotland before returning to the start point in Eddleston.

A group of 8 walkers from Biggar Ramblers braved extremely blustery weather to walk the 4 mile 'Ladyurd Horseshoe'. The walk started with a gradual ascent until it turned sharply just under Wether Law, where there was just enough shelter for a coffee break. Thanks to the strong wind, visibility was good and there were great views here right across to the Pentlands. The walk now continued down the other side of the valley, joining the outgoing path just before reaching the car park. Soup and paninis were then enjoyed at the Big Red Barn.

On a lovely sunny morning the Ramblers set out from the Golf Club to walk up Mendick Hill. The party walked along the track to the Old Roman Bridge and on to the Roman Road passing South Slipperfield. The views of the surrounding hills and countryside along this drove road were majestic. The walkers then turned right just passed Hardgatehead Cottage and with Mendick in front of them made their way to the top of the hill. There is a short but steepish climb to get to the top. The party were again rewarded with magnificent views as far as Berwick Law and the Bass Rock and of course Tinto. On either side of Mendick Hill is Ingraston Hill and Little Mendick Hill. The walkers then made their way carefully down the hill and enjoyed lunch in the sunshine before heading back along the Roman Road to the Golf Club where everyone enjoyed a well earned refreshment.

 A group of 9 walkers from Biggar Ramblers enjoyed an interesting and scenic 8 mile walk from the pretty village of Cramond, along the stunning southern shoreline of the Forth estuary towards the imposing Forth rail bridge at South Queensferry.  The weather was kind to us with great visibility, affording detailed views of the Fife shoreline all the way.

On a rather dreich October Thursday morning, six members of Biggar Ramblers set off from Innerleithen following the path along the Tweed towards Walkerburn. With all the recent rain, the river was flowing fast, but that wasn't putting the fishermen off, seen up to their waists in the water, together with a heron hoping for a meal. After reaching Walkerburn, the group crossed the main road and climbed up beside the Walker Burn, first across fields, and then into the forest. By now it had started raining, so the trees provided a welcome dry spot for a coffee break. The route then carried on up towards Priesthope where, after a sharp left turn, it followed a main forest track heading back towards Innerleithen.

On reaching an open turning area, a narrow path was taken leading down towards the Leithen Water. Along the way here, fine views of Innerleithen and the Tweed Valley opened up. The Leithen Water was reached by the ancient Cuddy Bridge, built in 1701 with funds from a vacant ministry in the area. It was then a short walk back to the car park where, despite being soaked through, it was agreed that it had been a good walk.

On a very windy 28th September, 5 members of Biggar Ramblers set out on the classic Pentlands Walk from Flotterstone to Nine Mile Burn. Cars were parked at Nine Mile Burn and the bus was taken to Flotterstone for the start of the walk. There was first a steady climb up to Turnhouse Hill, followed by an easier section to the foot of Carnethy Hill, where luckily, a sheltered spot was found for a coffee break.There was then another climb up to Carnethy Hill, from where wonderful views opened up as far as North Berwick to the East and the Forth Bridges and Fife to the North. There was then a descent to The Grain Burn and the Old Kirk Road which used to be used by worshippers going to church. Lunch was now taken as this proved to be another area sheltered from the strong wind. The walk then continued with three more good climbs up Scald Law, East Kip and West Kip.The final part of the walk was over Cap Law, passing the ancient Font Stone, arriving back at the parked cars at Nine Mile Burn. With five peaks, this was a challenging walk, but despite the strong winds which even made standing on the summits difficult, was both rewarding and enjoyable.

Six members of Biggar Ramblers met recently in Peebles. After meeting at Ninians Haugh car park the group crossed the Tweed as they walked toward the old Parish Church where a bell practice had the church bells ringing to Amazing Grace and Loch Lomond. The walkers followed the well worn path keeping the river to their left, passing the ruins of Neidpath Castle before breaking for lunch near Lyne Station. After crossing the river again, they walked through Crow wood and Barns Garden wood, turning to walk by the riverside once more. They crossed the Manor bridge to retrace their steps briefly, before crossing the Tweed again to walk through the Victorian train tunnel, a very atmospheric 3/4 mile dark passage way. Finally the walkers again followed the riverbank back to the starting point. The 9 mile walk took just under 4 hours, including breaks.