Latest from the Biggar Ramblers: September 10

It was a perfect day for hiking - not too hot, not too cool, a light breeze and excellent visibility.

First the group walked up the gentle path towards the TV mast near Unthank, then uphill on to the shoulder of Turkey Hill, onward to the head of Girdle Burn and finally sharply upwards on to Knowe Dod (440m). 

Then it was a long but fairly easy stroll back to the start. This walk offers some of the finest views in this area and the day did not disappoint. 

The heather was, perhaps, a little past its best, but the hills were, nonetheless, still glorious in its colour and honey-like perfume. 

The views of Tinto to the east and Culter Fell to the west were dramatic. 
On the tops there were a few grouse, some late swallows and plenty of meadow pipits. 

After the walk, 13 hungry Ramblers descended on the Mill Inn, Culter where they were extremely well received and excellently fed and watered.

The previous week, on August 17, 12 members met for an afternoon walk to tackle Carmichael Hill and visit the Hyndford Monument.

The monument is visible on the skyline from the A73 road to Lanark looking remote and inaccessible but the Carmichael estate provide a route with their ‘history trail’.

The route took them to the grand remains of Carmichael House. Built between 1735 and 50 by the Great Earl whose monument was to come later on the itinerary.

The history was brought to life by one of our group who as a girl used to deliver milk to the grand house! It was deliberately ‘ruined’ in 1950.

Next the route took them through an accident beech wood on the lower slopes of Carmichael Hill.

More native woodland has recently been replanted and they traversed this using two gates in the new deer fences.

Onwards and upwards over the heather covered adjacent Tinto Hill.

Following a clear track the Hyndford monument soon comes into view on another prominent top a little below the height of the previous hill.

The views are again stunning, it’s a peaceful place.