Biggar Ramblers

On a bright sunny morning, two members of Biggar Ramblers set out to climb Black Mount, a hill of 516 metres above the village of Elsrickle. During the climb, amazing views opened up in all directions, and time was taken trying to identify the peaks which stretched from the highlands beyond Glasgow right round to Berwick Law. Having reached the trig point at the peak of the hill, time was taken to take photographs and wonder at the amazing panorama that stretched out in all directions. 

A group of Biggar Ramblers walked the 7 mile stretch of the John Buchan Way from Broughton to Stobo. The walk began from Broughton Village Hall where a gate into a field allows the walker to access a lane through an avenue of giant beech trees.The road passed farm buildings and a disused water mill before turning into a track just past Broughton Place, a building that looks like a 17th century baronial tower house but was in fact built in the 1930’s. The path meanders steadily upwards through heather and bracken. The group had views across the Broughton Heights and back down the valley towards Biggar and over to Tinto where tea break was taken at a convenient memorial bench. The walkers then went past a remote farmhouse at Stobo Hopehead following what appears to be a logging track until a signpost directed them left over a burn and up a muddy, slippery hill path on the other side of the valley. With Penvalla on their left, Trahenna on the right they paused for lunch perched on some fallen logs underneath a small collection of larch trees. The remainder of the walk was a gentle decent through trees and farmland along the side of a burn. As Easterknowe Farm comes into view the group turned right before reaching the B712t o retrieve a number of cars left earlier at the small car park in Stobo next to the Tweed.

On the morning of 8th September, 21 members met at Edinburgh Airport to fly out to Munich from where they caught the train to Salzburg, arriving in the evening  at their accomodation for their stay, the amazing Gastehaus Priesterseminar - first constructed in 1693, the seminary became the training centre for prospective priests of the Archdiocese of Salzburg, but now renovated to provide the comfortable rooms which we stayed in.

For the first day we explored the city, starting off walking through the colourful Mirabell gardens and across the river to the narrow streets of the older part of the city where we found Mozart's birthplace. It was then off to the cathedral where we were treated to an organ concert which started with pieces from three of the pillar organs, followed by two more on the Metzler main organ - a quite uplifting experience. From the cathedral, the group moved on to look at the St. Peter's cemetary with its baroque tombs of nobility as well as 12-Century catacombs and chapels, all beautifully kept. Next it was up to the castle (Fortress Hohensalzburg) on the funicular, where there were fantastic views of the city and the surrounding hills. A tour of the museum provided a detailed history of the castle as well as an interesting history of Europe .   

The next day, Wednesday, we took the bus to the village of St Gilgen where we caught a ferry on Wolfgangsee to Schafbergbahn where we caught a train on the cog railway that took us up to Schafberg. This was an amazing journey - built in 1893, it is the steepest cog railway in Austria, rising 1,200 metres over a distance of 5.85 kilometers. Despite it being quite wet, we spent time walking around the summit, taking in the atmosphere created by the clouds below us.                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Thursday, and in glorious sunshine we took the gondola from St Gilgen to the summit of Zwolferhorn where, on one side we could see down to St Gilgen on Wolfgangsee plus three other lakes, and on the other, across an open alpine valley, to a vista of mountain peaks, including a sight of Austria's largest glacier - it was all quite breathtaking.

In the afternoon we moved on to the spa town of Bad Ischl where some of the group treated themselves to some wonderful cakes at Zauner's cafe. It was then another gondola up to the Katrin from where there were great views down to Bad Ischl  and over the Salzkammergut, known as the 'Austrian Lake District' ( Historically, Salzkammergut translates to ''salt chamber possessions'' due to its ancient salt deposits). 

On Friday, some of the group remained in Salzburg as there was still much to explore, including the shops! The rest of us took the train to Bad Hofgastein to walk the Gastein Trail to Bad Gastein. (unfortunately, due to our late running train, we didn't quite finish the walk, and had to take the bus into Bad Gastein). This was a lovely walk along the side of the valley, passing several waterfalls and passing through a long tunnel, constructed at the head of a steep sided gorge.

 Saturday, and time to head back home, everyone in full agreement that this had been a wonderful holiday that had exceeded all expectations.

On a bright sunny afternoon, 11 ramblers set out on this relatively easy walk along broad forest tracks which made it great for relaxed conversation. The walk started from the car park just off the A72, just after Castle Craig. At first the track led through open forest, but soon opened up to an area where the trees have been felled and some new ones have been planted. There was a gradual climb until the track turned sharply under Wether Law to start the return journey.  A break for coffee and brownies was taken at this point where the group was able to appreciate the stunning views right across to the Pentland Hills. The path now continued downhill, eventually joining up with the original outgoing track, and thus back to the car park.

On Wednesday, 27 August 12 ramblers set out from the Lower Green in West Linton to take in a part of the surrounding area new to some of the walkers.  After heading down Station Road passing the old Broomlee Railway Station which closed completely in 1950, the party then went into the Broomlee Outdoor Centre grounds to walk through the riverside path. On crossing the bridge over the River Lyne, where the pipes there carry untreated water from Talla and Fruid reservoirs at Tweedsmuir (most of the way the water runs through an Aqueduct and is only piped over the valleys on the way, the whole system is done by gravity, no pumps).   Members then headed for Paulswell and Spitalhaugh before going on to Kaimes Estate and Broomlee Hill.  The weather was kind, enabling everyone to enjoy views of the Black Mount, Mendick and the Pentlands to name a few.  The party then headed back up Station Road into the village.

Five walkers from Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a sunny but windy ramble around the Broughton end of the John Buchan way.  With great views of the surrounding hills and some great company it was approximately four hours enjoying some of our fantastic local countryside.

11 Biggar Ramblers met at Central Station for a leisurely walk along the Clyde to the Transport Museum, where we stopped to have our picnic lunch. From there, we went over the new bridge from Partick into Govan and paid a visit to Govan Old Church where the well-informed volunteers told of the history of the Viking and Celtic stones held within the church. Having completed almost five miles on a hot day, it was decided to head to the Underground to take us back to the city centre and the return train journey.

On a bright sunny morning, 7 members of Biggar Ramblers set out on a 7 mile walk round Whitelee windfarm, the largest windfarm in the UK (there are  215 turbines with the potential to power 350,000 homes). The walk started from the visitor centre and headed towards Lochgoin Reservoir with views right across to Arran. The route then took the group around the reservoir with good views all round. On the southern side of the reservoir, a smaller path was taken which led down to the water's edge. This proved an excellent point to stop for lunch where fish could be seen rising (one boat was out fishing, hoping to catch some trout!). On the way back to the visitor, one pair of keen eyes picked out Ailsa Craig in the distance.

The walk passed 16 of the 215 turbines, and it was interesting to hear a slight whooshing noise with the odd clunk. Back at the visitor centre for a well earned cup of tea, it was possible to learn a lot more about the windfarm at a very well presented exhibition.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Five members of the Biggar Ramblers set off from Swanston car park to walk Robin’s Round. They followed a stony track that climbed steadily to the bealach between Allermuir Hill and Capelaw Hill. From the top, they were rewarded with stunning views—Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth stretched out on one side, while the Pentland Hills and Glencorse Reservoir lay on the other.

After a short coffee break, the group skirted the right side of Capelaw Hill, passed Bonaly Reservoir, and continued through open heather moorland before reaching Sanctuary Wood. The wide sweeps of purple heather under a bright blue sky were admired not only by the group but also by two roe deer spotted wandering through the moorland.

After leaving Sanctuary Wood, the five members descended through a grassy cleuch toward Torduff Reservoir. They continued along a narrow trail at the base of Torduff Hill before arriving at Bonaly car park.

From there, a steep incline led them up the side of White Hill. At the top, they were treated to wonderful panoramic views across Edinburgh and beyond. The group then followed the path to rejoin their original route, completing the loop. It was a lovely walk on a lovely day in lovely company!

On Saturday 26th July a group of 12 Biggar Ramblers assembled at the pretty Borders village of St Boswell’s to walk the second stage of the St Cuthbert’s Way long distance footpath. This took us 9 miles across lovely countryside to Harestanes. We walked from the village down to the River Tweed and followed the river as it wound it’s way to Maxton. From there we walked past the historic village church and along a minor road until we reached the old Roman road of Deere Street, once the main route through South Scotland but now a quiet path through fields and woodland. En-route we passed the historic Liddiard Stone, the site of the Battle of Ancrum Moor (1545), and viewed the impressive Waterloo monument. Near Harestanes we were able to catch a bus back to St Boswells having retraced the journeys of monks and legionaires.

Seven members of the Biggar Ramblers met up in Galashiels on Tuesday 22nd July to undertake this challenging 7 miles circular route. This is a fine circuit around Galashiels, taking in a broad range of walking terrain including the slopes of Gala Hill, a great vantage point to enjoy wonderful views of the Eildon hills, the Borders, Gala Policies and Langlee woodland. After a steady climb around the edges of Gala Hill the route headed downhill, skirting fields, where a helpfully located bench offered the opportunity of a welcome coffee break with open views of the 3 Eildon peaks. The party then continued down to the River Tweed following the riverside path offering glimpses of Abbotsford House across the river to the east until we met the Gala Water tributary, where lunch was taken at some picnic tables, adjacent to the fast flowing river. After walking a short distance along urban roads the waymarked Galashiels path diverted us steeply up through the Langlee woodlands to the transmission mast at the top of the hill. The group then negotiated the path network downhill before entering Langlee Community Woodland, leading to the the grassy fairways of Galashiels Golf Club with clear views across the town. The end of the rural section of the walk was marked as we crossed the bridge over the Ladhope Burn before entering the town and back to our start point on Livingstone Place. Any forecast drizzle failed to materialise as most of the walk was completed in warm sunshine. An unexpectedly challenging walk with hill ascents either side of the valley provided varied views of both the town of Galashiels and its surrounding countryside - a satisfying and rewarding walk indeed.

Despite a threatening forecast, four ramblers set out on this lovely circular walk which starts by the Devil's Beef Tub above Moffat. With great views all round, the weather was good at first. The  route started by following the Annandale Way, going over Annanhead Hill,  and Great Hill. A coffee break was taken just before the fairly steep ascent to Whitehope Heights (a Donald), but having been discovered by midges, the group was soon on its way again. Unfortunately the promised rain arrived as the group were heading towards Barncorse Knowe. After a quick lunch break (rain and midges again!), the Crown of Scotland was reached - not the most impressive peak, a rounded hill with a pile of stones to identify the summit. The name, Crown of Scotland, derives from the alliance made between Robert the Bruce and James Douglas, following the former's murder of the Red Comyn at Greyfriars Kirk in Dumfries. From the Crown, there was a fairly steep descent to Earlshaugh where crossing the burn proved interesting following all the recent rain! The final part of the walk was then up over Foal Burn Head and down to join a track which led back to the start of the walk.