Biggar Ramblers

Twelve members of Biggar Ramblers met recently in Eddleston to walk around the Black Barony Policies. Starting at the Scots Pine café, the group walked into Eddleston and up to the Barony Castle Hotel to visit the Polish Map of Scotland. After a good look around at the map and reading the displays, they paused together for a coffee break. Continuing the walk, the route took them out to a woodland leading to the Old Post Road. Turning north over fields, they reached Swiss Cabin Wood passing a small lochan. Between the wood and the water there were several frogs crossing to reach their breeding area. The group continued past Darnhall Mains and back to the Scots Pine where some enjoyed food from the menu.

On a very dreich day, nine Ramblers braved a cold and breezy day as wind swept across the reservoir waters. We found one sheltered spot for a coffee break next to a large tracked digger, but thereafter we decided not to stop for a lunch break because of the cold and the wind. Sadly, the hills were all shrouded in clouds for the whole of the walk so no great views were possible today. We did get a sense of the tranquility and peace along the route but spirits remained high and the 5 1/2 miles were very much enjoyed. Towards the end the rain abated and we were able to enjoy modest views towards and across the dam. It was a very straightforward walk on good tracks, a good walk to repeat on a nice summer’s day.

Only 4 walkers completed our walk in the Pentlands on Saturday 7th March, however, those who stayed at home missed a great walk. The walk was an 8.5-mile circular taking in the peaks of Carnethy and Turnhouse hills.

We set off from the Regional Park carpark at Flotterstone, walking up along the length of lovely Gencorse Reservoir, before following a quiet road up to Loganlea Reservoir. There we enjoyed coffee from a sheltered lochside café. From the top of Loganlea, we joined the Old Kirk Road path and climbed to the Col between Carnethy and Scald Law hills. We then had a strenuous climb to the top of Carnethy Hill with great views over Midlothian, Fife and East Lothian. There followed a fairly steep descent, before a shorter climb up Turnhouse Hill and finally a gradual descent back to Flotterstone.

An energetic day but well worth the effort.

On Thursday eight of us journeyed to Musselburgh to the east of Edinburgh. The name Musselburgh derives from the extensive mussel beds that lie along the shore of the Firth of Forth. Not surprisingly therefore the town coat of arms consists of three mussels and three anchors reflecting the fishing tradition of the community.
Our route began at the picturesque Fisherrow Harbour, home to a fleet of brightly coloured fishing boats, before heading into town via North High Street and the River Esk. We crossed the river via a beautiful old stone bridge, studied the shiny figure of the Musselburgh Archer and paused at the statue of David Macbeth Moir, a local doctor who saved many lives during outbreaks of cholera. Walking down the main High Street, we paused at Cafe Cammafi for coffee and hot chocolate but passed on the delicious ice cream from the famous S. Luca's ice cream parlour established in 1908.
Our route took us around Musselburgh Racecourse which contains the oldest golf course still in play in the world with origins back to 1672. Walking around the edge of these famous leisure facilities, we picked up a path across Levenhall Links through gorse bushes and small plantations of trees to the edges of a number of lochans populated by many varieties of birdlife that included a flock of curlews. We stopped for an alfresco lunch at a stone seat on a little bridge that provided some shelter from the wind. The final part of our walk was along the sea front. We were virtually blown up the coast by a brisk wind but enjoyed the emerging view of Edinburgh, Arthurs Seat and the Pentland Hills in the distance.

6 hardy souls set off today fearing that the weather forecast would be accurate, silly us, the weather hadn’t read the forecast so we managed to largely stay dry.

A steady but consistent walk up through the forest (what’s left of it) on tracks was nice and pleasant with the clouds lifting to provide views!

The Harehope rings were reached a bit after 11 for elevenses.

The high point of the walk was reached shortly after 11s, the descent down the ridge was actually quite pleasant and the front runners Ivan and Edmund found a nice easy way across the stream (phew).

At this point one walker chose to take their coat off (it was getting warm!), and of course the rain came…

We walked through the forest passed Courhope cottage remaining on the drove road. Lunch was taken under the trees at the top of the hill. As everyone was wearing their

coats again it stopped raining….

The final leg of the walk was through farmland and back into the forest.

6 walkers left the car park, and after nearly 9.5 miles 6 returned. All were smiling.

On Tuesday 17^th February a group of 8 Biggar Ramblers enjoyed an interesting 5 mile walk around the historic town of Haddington in East Lothian. We walked from the town centre, with its fine collection of impressive public buildings, down to cross the river, and onto a path by the River Tyne. On reaching the 17^th century Abbey Bridge, we turned into Amisfield Park with an 18^th century walled garden. On our return walk back into Haddington, we visited the ruin of 12^th century St Martin’s Kirk, and St Mary’s Church overlooking a very attractive turn of the river. Finally, we made our way back to the town centre, and a comfortable café for lunch before returning to Biggar.

A group of 9 Biggar Ramblers enjoyed a very pleasant 6-mile walk around the Glen Estate with its picturesque and secluded loch. Hidden in the hills of the Scottish Borders, Glen Estate is a magical place – a natural refuge of 18^th century designed landscape of parkland and woods with heather moorland on all sides.

Walking along well-maintained farm tracks and surrounded by snow-covered farmland and hills, everyone appreciated the surprisingly strong warmth of the winter sun. The group passed the shepherd’s cottage at the atmospheric Glenshiel Banks and followed the Gumscleuch Burn down to Loch Eddy. A well-deserved lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine next to the loch.

Edinburgh under a blanket of cloud, intermittent rain, little breeze, brown puddles reflecting the grey granite edifices of Hermitage Drive, the venue for the start of our six-mile walk.

Muddy paths, canyons of bright yellow gorse funnel us towards a grassy slope. Climbing steeply and slightly out of breath, we arrived at the 540-foot summit of Blackford Hill, the trig point and orientation table affording extensive views of Edinburgh.

Making our way alongside the 1896 green domed Royal Observatory, we followed one of a myriad of paths along the perimeter of Craigmillar Park golf course. As the rain stopped, we paused at the Montessori Arts School for coffee spotting a young roe deer chasing a couple of rooks beneath the 15th century Liberton Tower, an ochre-coloured sentinel overlooking the valley.

Crossing Braids Hill Road onto the Wee Braids golf course, we negotiated a stony track to the snout of Buckstone Snab. At 683 feet, slightly higher than Blackford Hill on the other side of the valley.

A quick descent over the Cormiston Road led us to Braidburn Valley Park. Paths flanked by bright lime green catkins accompanied the burn downhill to a lunch stop at The Lodge Coffee House. Once the Morningside Tollhouse, this tiny cafe with striped wooden floors, bottle green box seats, and tables constructed from old Singer sewing machines, provided sweet treats and good coffee. Fortified by refreshment, we completed our circular walk through the gorge of the Hermitage of Braid.

On Saturday 31st January a group of 7 Biggar Ramblers braved the unpredictable weather conditions and completed a strenuous 9 mile circular walk from Biggar Corn Exchange. The walk was a combination of minor roads, farm tracks, countryside paths and open hillside. We walked down Biggar’s bustling High Street before heading out on Lindsaylands Road, past Langlees House and Springfield Farm. From there we climbed up hillside to the forest plantation on Biggar Common, enjoying panoramic views of Biggar and surrounding countryside as we climbed.
After a coffee stop we followed an excellent path through the plantation, coming out by Quothquan Law and following a road through Quothquan and onto Shieldhill House. From there we turned onto a path which climbed through woodland and plantations to an open hilltop ridge.

We completed the walk by descending via Hillridge Farm and Burnbraes Park to Biggar Centre. An invigorating walk showing off the great landscape around Biggar.

A group of 11 Biggar Ramblers met in Peebles and enjoyed a rewarding walk up Janet’s Brae. A track was followed for several miles along the edge of the forest, offering fine views over Peebles and the Tweed Valley. Through gaps in the trees, mist drifting over Glentress created a magical atmosphere. The group then turned right onto a lovely woodland path, descending gently towards the Glentress bike shop.

After passing the bike shop, the walkers crossed the A72 and followed the path with the ruins of Horsburgh Castle on their left, before continuing along the Tweed Valley Railway Path back to Peebles.