Biggar Ramblers

On a wonderfully sunny evening, 12 members set out for a short walk along tracks and paths surrounding the fields of Coulter Mains Farm. The paths took the group along avenues of lovely beach trees, open stretches where clear views opened up in all directions, and past some open pine plantations through which the evening sunshine cast its shadows. After the walk, most of the group retired to the local pub to quench their thirst!

This was a lovely walk in the Ochil Hills, which afforded fantastic views in all directions, together with the opportunity to bag three Donalds.

The walk started at the Forestry Commission car park on the Muckhart to Gleneagles road. After a climb above Glensherup Reservoir along a forest track, the walk took a steeper climb through a forest ride, emerging into the open where magnificent views opened up to the south and east, from the Lomond Hills down to the Forth and Grangemouth. There was then a steady climb to Innerdownie, the first of three Donalds on this walk. Half way up there was a bench which made an excellent stopping point for a coffee break. After Innerdownie the walk  continued over Whitewisp Hill and Tarmangie Hill, the other two Donalds. With a strong wind blowing, the group managed to scramble over a stone wall so that shelter could be found for a lunch break. At the top of Tarmangie a whole new vista to the northwest opened up with views right across to the Highland edge. The route now crossed the top of the valley and returned down the other side of the glen, passing by Scad Hill, and finally just before Ben Shee turned down to the bottom of the valley, along the side of the reservoir before crossing the dam and arriving back at the car park.

Despite the strong wind, all agreed that this had been a most enjoyable walk.

Two members of the Biggar Ramblers walked along the Old Drove Road, passing Baddinsgill Reservoir and continuing uphill along the track toward the Cauldstane Slap. Then climbing the boggy slopes of West Cairn Hill, the summit (562m) was reached. From the summit, the path continued and led to the undulating ridge of Cloven Craig and then continued on toward Colzium Hill.

Descending from Colzium Hill, a boggy area at the base was reached where the distinctive rocky cleft known as Wolf Craigs came into view. After crossing the West Water Burn, a path was followed which led up to the rounded summit of Byrehope Mount. From there, the members descended along a track back toward Baddinsgill, completing this rewarding circular route.

Despite the driving rain, waterlogged sphagnum moss, thunderstorms, paths turned to rivers, and visibility reduced by low-hanging clouds, the walk was thoroughly enjoyable.

On 11^th and 12^thJune a group of ten Biggar Ramblers walked a 16 mile section of the Berwickshire Coastal Path, split over two days with a pleasant overnight stay in the lively fishing port of Eyemouth.

Our first day’s walk was a 7 mile walk with lots of ups and downs, taking us from a hamlet at Dowlage to the pretty village of St Abbs. The walk took us along spectacular cliffs and jagged coastline, including the lighthouse and seabird nesting sites at St Abbs Head.

The next morning, we walked 4.5 miles from St Abbs, crossing some lovely beaches and clifftops before reaching Eyemouth where we obtained lunch at a local baker. We then started our final stage with a walk along the colourful harbour area before climbing up onto the exposed coastline beside Eyemouth Golf Course. The walk continued to take us along some spectacular high cliffs before descending to take us into the quiet Harbour of Burnmouth, the end of our trip.

We enjoyed great weather throughout, enabling us to experience this beautiful coast at it’s best and give us some great memories.

Six members of Biggar Ramblers travelled to new territory up to Greenock to walk along the length of the Greenock Cut. This Victorian engineering feat supplied water to both the population and the many mill industries prevalent in Greenock during the 19th century. The walk started alongside the Compensation reservoir rising slowly to a higher level to find the larger Thom Loch, named after the engineer, Robert Thom, who surveyed and built the Cut. As we descended to Overton, panoramic views opened up over Greenock, across the Clyde estuary and to the peaks of the Trossachs and beyond. The group then turned westwards and followed the Cut, punctuated by many stone bridges, rising gently with views over Gourock, looking down over the redundant footprint of the many industries which thrived in this area over 100 years ago. These included flour, paper, flax and woollen mills, rope-works, foundries and sugar refineries. As the water full Cut turned back inland the group very quickly found themselves back at the Greenock Cut Centre from whence they had started their very satisfying 7 mile trek.

Seven  members of Biggar Ramblers set out on this 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 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 in Penicuik. The walk now continued with a good climb up to Scald Law, the highest point on the day's walk. Despite a fresh breeze, a good spot was found for lunch, looking out over the Forth and the hills beyond. The wind was now freshening and some of the strong gusts meant that the ascent of the final two peaks, East Kip and West Kip proved trickier than expected. 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. All agreed that this had been a challenging but most enjoyable walk.

On Saturday 17^th May a group of 7 Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a lovely 7 mile walk in the Borders, completing the 1^st stage of the St Cuthbert’s Way Path which winds across the Borders from Melrose to Lindisfarne in Northumberland. We walked from Melrose to St Boswell’s, initially climbing up over the iconic Eildon Hills and then down through shady woodland to the pretty village of Bowden where we had a lunch stop and a visit to historic Bowden Kirk. We continued the flower bedecked path through to Newton St Bothwells and on until we joined the Tweed. We completed the walk along the riverside into St Boswell’s before getting a bus back to bustling Melrose. A great walk on a glorious Spring day.

On the 2nd Day of the Ramblers weekend away in Hexham, this was a walk of two distinct parts. The first part was a leisurely stroll along the river Allen in lovely woodland which included oak, ash, birch, hazel, and holly. Many birds could be heard, but of special interest was the loud song of a pied flycatcher, high up in the trees. The river was crossed at Plankey Mill where a coffee break was taken and some stone skimming was practiced.

The group now split in two, some returning while the more adventurous continued further up the river into Staward Gorge. The gorge was left on reaching the A686 and after a short section on the road, the return route was taken across open fields passing the remains of the interestingly named ruin of 'Gingle Pot'. Returning back into the woodland, standing on a precipitous spur, the remains of Staward peel were reached. Between 1272 and 1384, during the Scottish Wars of Independence and much of the Hundred Years War this was a virtually impregnable tower complex and thereafter a monastic retreat. Although impressive, not much of the original structure could be seen as much of the stone had been taken to build the nearby Staward Manor.  Continuing back towards the river, the path now joined the outward route back to Plankey Mill and Allen Banks. This had been a good 9 mile walk, passing through several different and interesting areas.

On the first full day of our weekend away at Hexham, an adventurous group of Biggar Ramblers set out on a challenging  8 mile walk along Hadrian's Wall. The walk started at Steel Rigg from where we quickly arrived at some very steep steps to reach the top of  the wall. The first point of interest was Sycamore Gap  - how sad it was to see just a large stump where a proud tree once stood. One or two new shoots could be seen, so hopefuly, given time, the sycamore will again be there for all to admire. Continuing along the wall, there was fantastic scenery to both north and south. The next point of interest was the remains of the Roman fort of Housesteads, situated on the end of the long crag of Whin Sill. Evidently, this was the largest of all the Roman forts in Britain.

After a further couple of miles, the group dropped down off the wall to begin their return at low level to the north of the wall. After all the steep steps,  the going was much easier now, and looking up  from below, the wall looked truly impressive. Half way along, the path crossed the Pennine Way, and shortly aftrwards a lime kiln was reached - standing on top of it providing good views all round! Towards the end of the walk, the lovely sound of a cuckoo could be heard - the perfect end to a lovely walk, made all the better by the sunny weather.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Fourteen members of the Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a lovely circular walk through a popular glen near Peebles. The route followed the River Tweed along the new Tweed Trail—a shared-use path from Priorsford Bridge through Whitestone Park to the A72.

From there, the group continued alongside Soonhope Burn on the east side of the glen, where they passed a number of chalets, many of which were built post-war by ex-servicemen and their families. As they made their way through the quiet valley, the air was filled with the strong, sweet scent of vibrant yellow gorse. Looking back, they were rewarded with sweeping views across to Hundleshope Heights.

The walk then continued past Whitfold Hill and beneath Venlaw Hill, before returning to Kingsmeadows car park.

On Thursday l0^th a group of 8 Biggar Ramblers completed a great 6 mile local walk among some of the foothills around Coulter Fell. We parked by Coulter Water and followed the burn up past Nisbet farm and into the hidden path behind. We passed Cow Castle, site of an old Iron Age fort, and then continued on by White Hill and Mitchell Hill on a secluded path and farm tracks. After Mitchell Hill Farm the path opened out to beautiful views towards Broughton Heights and the surrounding hills. We climbed up the slopes to the Mitchell Hill Rings, another hill fort site, where we had coffee and a break to savour the views. Next was a bracing ridge walk over Mitchell Hill and White Hill summits before descending to pick up the path and walk back to our start point. An invigorating morning walk to enjoy some of the splendid scenery in our area.