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Welcome to

Monklands Ramblers

exploring scotland

since 1985

before booking

Numbers on the coach are no longer limited, but it is still essential to book in advance, and not turn up on the day without a confirmed booking.

The newsletter for our weekend walks is issued the Wednesday following a club walk at 6.30pm.  Please try and book as soon as the newsletter is issued as the bus fills up quickly.

The booking contact will be indicated on the newsletter and may differ from the walk leader. A text will be sent back to confirm a booking.

If you are unable to attend a walk, please let the booking contact know immediately. There are no charges for cancellations.

Future Walk Dates

Saturday, 17 May:

➝ Loch Awe

Sunday, 1 June:

➝ Dunkeld

Saturday, 14 June:

➝ Lake District

Sunday, 29 June:

➝ Ochils

Sunday, 13 July:

➝ Arrochar (Please note that the walk day of Saturday 12 July in the programme has had to be changed to Sunday 13 July)

facebook

Scottish mountain webcams

The Ben Nevis Webcam is located on the banks of Loch Linnhe, Fort William. The web cam updates every minute and captures fantastic views of Ben NevisFort William, Loch Linnhe and Aonach Mor.

Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe, Argyll, is one of the most beautiful mountains in Scotland. The picture of it above was taken a short time ago by a camera at the Glencoe Mountain Ski Centre.

Weekend Walk

17 May

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Notes:

NBthe pick up is down in the programme as Airdrie first but will now be Coatbridge.

Please note updated information in the bus fares section below.

Morning stop: will be at the Green Welly in Tyndrum

Post Walk stop: will be in Callander

Date: Saturday, 17 May

1st Leader: Dougie Andrews

✔ Location: Ben Cruachan (Asc.1165m)

✔ Grade: A+

✔ Distance: 7.1 Miles / 11.4 km

2nd Leader: Jackie Wilson

✔ Location: Glen Strae to Airigh Challtuinn (Asc.235m)

✔ Grade: B

✔ Distance: 11.3 Miles / 18.0 km

✔  Walk Report:  

➝ Walk report – Ben Cruachan:

Ben Cruachan is a challenging walk, you will need a reasonable level of hill fitness and be comfortable on steep rocky paths. The route starts straight up from railway station, at 300m it levels out on Dam track round the reservoir.

There is a boggy path along the bottom of Coire Deag that becomes rocky & steep. At 800m we reach the bealach, from here it winds way steeply through boulders to summit at 1126m. The rewards in good weather are the magnificent setting of the reservoir in a horseshoe of hills and some of the best views in southern Highlands from summit and you’ve bagged another Munro as well.

Walk report –  Glen Strae to Airigh Chalituinn (Sheiling):

Glen Strae starts near Stronmilchan on a good landrover track. A slight climb gives great views to the mountains in the distance. Great waterfalls to view and we cross some small ravines on the way so boots are recommended as well as gaiters. There are also some highland cows on the paths so care needs to be taken.

Bus Fare: Bus fare on this walk is £20. The continued rise in bus hire costs has meant revised fares which had been unchanged since April 2022. The new walker promotion now becomes Starter for £10 with adjustment in junior prices – £10 for under 18s and £5 for under 16s.

Booking: Please contact Pat Rawlinson by text message on 07873 263894 to book on the walk.

Please send a text including your full name and pick-up point. You can only book as an individual or for family or couple bookings. All bookings will be acknowledged with a confirmation text.

Pick-up: First pick-up will be Coatbridge (at the back of the Time Capsule) at 8.30am, followed by Coatdyke opposite and adjacent to the Kwik Fit and then, Airdrie (Farmfoods across from Airdrie Railway station),

Wednesday walk

14 May

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To book a place on a walk:
TEXT the walk leader, Tony Grimason, on 07516238706, No phone calls

1. ONLY CONTACT the walk leader within 2 weeks (30 April) of the date of a scheduled walk.
2. Maximum number on each walk: 16.
3. Booking is on a first come, first served basis.
4. A reserve list will be created in the event of cancellations.
5. No charge is applied for those participating on these walks.
6. Financial costs associated with transport are at participants own cost.
7. All walks are between 5 and 8 miles, and will be undertaken at a leisurely pace.
8. Appropriate weatherproof clothing and walking shoes/boots & poles recommended.

N.B. Walk date, bus & train travel times may change – so check webpage for updates

Location: Fairlie to Largs Linear

Time & Travel: We start the walk from Fairlie Train Station, . We catch the 9.04 a.m. ‘Dalmuir’ train from Whifflet Train Station to Central Station (Platform 1) arriving 9.33 a.m. and transfer onto the 9.45 a.m. ‘Largs’ train (Platform 12) to Fairlie Train Station arriving 10.43 a.m.

Remember to book a return train ticket from Whifflet to Largs in advance of the date / time of travel. As we only have 12 minutes to walk from Platform 1 to Platform 12 there will not be enough time to stand in a queue at a ticket station at Central Station to purchase a return ticket from Whifflet/Glasgow to Largs.

Without a pre-paid ticket, you will not be allowed through the ticket gate at Platform 12. The walk from Platform 1 to Platform 12 will only take a few minutes. On the return journey, we catch the train from Largs Train Station to Glasgow Central. There are various bus and train routes which can be taken back to Coatbridge.

Finish time: 3.5 to 4 hours (approx.)

Recce: This is 7 Mile walk from Fairlie Train station to Largs walking on a mixture of primarily woodland paths, a short section of hillside road and coastal pavements. The walk steadily climbs from the train station through woodland to the top of Kelburn Estate with various stunning views of Millport & Largs.

We will then steadily make our way down the glen taking care of some steep steps on the way and emerge at The Beech Plateau within Kelburne Estate for lunch. From there we proceed along the woodland path passing Kelburn Castle & the Visitor Centre to The Pencil on the shoreline and along the seafront to Largs.

Footwear: Walking shoes / boots (if wet/muddy) and poles recommended.

Comfort Stops: There are no comfort stops available on this walk until the end point.

Pre-walk & Walk comfort stops: Glasgow Central, on the trains & Kelburn Visitor Centre.

Post-walk social stop: Drouthy Neebors Lounge Bar (adjacent to Largs Train Station). The Drouthy Neebors Pub Restaurant in Largs

sign up to our newsletter, as we usually send updates on a wednesday evening.

(Remember to check your spam or junk folder too.)

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RA Membership

Monklands Ramblers is an official Ramblers Association Group. We receive annual funding from the RA to finance club administration such as the website, walk leader recce expenses, the Fiver promotion etc.
RA members receive a welcome pack plus excellent quarterly magazine and an entitlement to walk with any Ramblers group in Britain. There is also access to an extensive online library of walks and discounts available to members eg Cotswold Outdoor Company, O.S maps, Ramblers Holidays etc.
You can join the RA here.
Please indicate your local group is: Monklands.

Information

The Walking Partnership
The Ramblers' Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration no. 4458492. Registered charity, Scotland no. SC039799.

Monklands Ramblers © 1985-2025