Cardross to Balloch

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Please complete and submit by Tuesday 12 August if interested in attending. All submitted surveys are anonymous.

easter break 2026 survey

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.

Easter Break 2026

Please find below a survey in relation to the Easter break next year.
Can all who are interested in this, please complete and submit by Tuesday 12 August

All survey replies are anonymous. It is also worth noting that whatever is decided, ie with Caledonian Travel or different types of accommodation, payments will require to be made by each individual.

Survey

Future Walk Dates

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)

Sunday, 27 July:

➝ Isle of Cumbrae

Saturday, 9 August:

➝ Tyndrum

Sunday, 24 August:

➝ Grampians

Saturday, 6 September:

➝ Fife Coast

Sunday, 21 September:

➝ Moffat

see more walks

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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 Nevis, Fort 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

13 July

The next walk will be posted up soon...

Weather Update: (Met Office Weather)

For anyone going on the Arrochar walks on Sunday, please note the weather will be hot with a gentle breeze. It is advisable to take plenty of water or fluids, sunscreen, head cover and perhaps a cold cloth to keep cool. The walks will be lead at an easy pace.

As we still have a waiting list, please contact Pat (details below) as soon as possible if you need to cancel.

Notes:

Please note this date orginally appeared in the printed programme as Saturday 12th but had to be changed due to bus hire being unavailable.

Morning stop – Luss tbc

Post walk stop – Tarbet tbc

✔ Date: Sunday, 13 July

✔ 1st Leader: Alan Robertson

✔ Location: Ben Narnain (Asc.945m)

✔ Grade: A+

✔ Distance: 8.7 Miles / 13.9 km

✔ 2nd Leader: Janice Black

✔ Location: Ardvorlich to Tarbet (via Glen Lion (Asc. 545m)

✔ Grade: B+

✔ Distance: 8.5 Miles / 13.6 km

✔ Walk Report:

➝ Beinn Narnain (A+): It will be a start from Arrochar then up the zig zags and along the valley between Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler. The ascent is from the easier west side. This Munro tops out at 926m and we have an overall climb of 945m. Paths are generally good all the way. From the summit we will retrace our steps back to Arrochar. Boots are recommended and poles at your discretion if you normally use them.

➝ Inveruglas to Tarbet via Glen Loin (B+): The walk was originally from Ardvorlich and a B+ grade. Starting at Inveruglas removes an early climb. The walk is the end section of the Three Lochs Way Three Lochs Way – Tarbet

✔ Bus Fare: Bus fare on this walk is £15. 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.

After further discussions the Committee has identified the four longest travel distances on the summer programme which will be charged at £20 – 17 May Loch Awe; 14 June Lake District; 9 August Glencoe; 24 August Drumochter. We hope to keep others at £15.

✔ 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 Airdrie (Farmfoods across from Airdrie Railway station) at 8.30am, followed by Coatdyke opposite and adjacent to the Kwik Fit, and then Coatbridge (at the back of the Time Capsule) at 8.40am

summer walks

Wednesday walk

16 July

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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 (02 July) 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: Cardross to Balloch via the Stoneymollan Coffin Road

✔ Time & Travel: We will catch the ‘Helensburgh’ train from Coatdyke train station at 10.05 alighting at Cardross Train station at 11.05.

Return journey is via the ‘Airdrie’ train from Balloch Train Station situated to the left-hand side of the Tullie Inn departing at 8 min & 38 min past the hour.

✔ Finish time: 3.5 hours (approx.)

✔ Recce: This is the pinnacle of the 2025 Wednesday Walk programme. It is a 6 Mile linear walk from Cardross on the banks of the River Clyde to Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond.

The route follows an ancient coffin road used in the 19th Century by those living in Balloch to reach consecrated ground (Eye on Millig: The story of Helensburgh’s ‘coffin roads’) in Cardross to bury their dead at St. Mahew’s chapel (St Mahew, Cardross – Roman Catholic Church).

At the high point of the route there are stunningly breathtaking views back over the River Clyde and to the north – the islands in Loch Lomond and the hills beyond. Keep an eye on the airplanes making their downwards trajectory to Glasgow Airport. The trail then follows a pleasant route downhill to Balloch.

✔ Footwear: Training shoes on a dry day / walking shoes or boots on a wet day. Poles recommended.

✔ Comfort Stops: After a short comfort stop at the nearby ‘Village Hub’ (The Village Hub — Cardross (Please note they operate on a cash-only basis, so make sure to bring some along!)), the walk will begin at 11.45.

✔ Pre-walk & Walk comfort stops: Mews Courtyard, Holyrood Palace café.

✔ Post-walk social stop: Tullie Inn, Balloch (Tullie Inn Balloch – Pubs in Balloch serving traditional pub food).

Wednesday walks