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.

AGM 2025

The Annual General Meeting of Monklands Ramblers Group will take place on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 7.00pm sharp in Coatbridge Indoor Bowling Club, Quarry Street, Coatdyke ML5 3PU (first half of the main function hall once past the main entrance).

Please note anyone with a vehicle must sign in their registration number on the portal which is situated near the reception area.

Can we ask everyone to sign the attendance sheet upon arrival, after which a nomination form will be handed to members for completion which can be folded and placed in the ballot box. Please choose one of the three options for each person nominated – For, Against or Abstain . As this form will be anonymous it will be easier for counting votes if nominees also vote for themselves. Two non-committee members will be counting the votes once all received.

In order to provide an idea of numbers for the printing of documents and also for refreshments, can members who are attending the AGM please reply to this newsletter email or to Christine at cmrambler@talktalk.net

Should you be unable to attend but wish to vote please contact Christine who will email you a nomination form for you to complete and return prior to the AGM.

These details will not be disclosed and it will be added to the ballot box anonymously. A register of voters will be kept.

Please note that only RA members can nominate, second and vote at the AGM. Any Motions to alter the constitution is by two thirds majority.

It would also be helpful if those attending could read the undernoted documents.

The Agenda, Minutes of previous AGM, Accounts information, motion submitted and nominations can be downloaded at the following links.

Spring Break 2026

spring break 2026

The Coylumbridge Hotel, Aviemore
(Friday 24 – Monday 27 April 2026)

The above hotel has now been booked for 2026 on the above dates.

➝ Singles £327;

➝ Doubles/twins £414 (£207 per person).

No payment is required until nearer the time. Anne-Marie will send updates for those who have confirmed their attendance as and when required.

Future Walk Dates

future walks

Saturday, 4 October:

➝ Ayrshire Coast (First walk of winter programme)

Sunday, 19 October:

➝ Pentlands

Saturday, 1 November:

➝ Peebles

Sunday, 16 November:

➝ Comrie

Saturday, 29 November:

➝ Gleneagles

Sunday, 14 December:

➝ Glasgow

Saturday, 10 January 2026:

➝ Club meal (short walk & lunch)

Sunday, 25 January:

➝ Kilpatrick Hills

see more walks

facebook

Scottish mountain webcams

scottish mountains

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

16 November

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Notes:

➝ Morning stop: Crieff Visitor Centre.

➝ Post-walk social stop: Royal Hotel

✔ 1st Leader: Dougie Andrews

✔ Location: Crappich Hill from Comrie (Asc.600m)

✔ Grade: B+

✔ Distance: 7.3 Miles / 11.7 km

✔ 2nd Leader: Gavin McMoneagle

✔ Location: Earthquake Walk and Deil’s Cauldron (Asc.250m)

✔ Grade: B

✔ Distance: 7.2 Miles / 11.5 km

✔ Walk Report:

➝ Crappich Hill from Comrie:

The walk starts in Comrie and quickly gets on to the track heading to the Deil’s Caldron waterfall. This is a good wide track but it can be muddy and is covered in leaves, rocks and branches so care must be taken as there are steep drops down to the river.

We will cut off this track before the waterfall and return on the way back near the end of our walk to view this impressive sight. There are a couple of climbs on our walk and the first is quite steep but not overly long up to the top of Dun More to reach the Monument.

From here we head out towards Crappich Hill on a pretty good track all the way to the top after going over a few false summits. This is a very rugged looking hill but the track takes a good route through. Views will be terrific if the weather is good – there was snow on many of the surrounding hills during the recce. From the top we retrace our steps and swing back down to the Deil’s Caldron, missing out Dun More this time.

The path and steps down to the waterfall are not the best, they are steep and slippy when wet and there are fallen trees and branches across the path to contend with as well. You may decide to miss this bit out if you prefer but it is quite a spectacular sight, particularly if there has been a lot of recent rain, which there had been before the recce.

Talking of that, most of the tracks were very wet and muddy in places, some of the rocks are pretty slippy so you’ll need to be careful about footing. Boots and waterproof trousers are recommend, poles also if you normally use them. Overall climb on the day is just over 600m.

➝ Earthquake Walk and Deil’s Cauldron:

The walk starts at the same point as that of the higher level and initially follows the same path which as noted above requires care. Moving from this path to a short section of road we make an easy ascent on a good track to Melville’s Monument where there are spectacular views.

The descent is initially by the same easy route and then we return to Comrie through a delightful woodland path . Again quite tricky with tree roots covered in leaves and some steep but short drops requiring care.

Arriving back at the road we make a further loop around Comrie taking us past Earthquake House – the first dedicated earthquake observatory in the world – and some lovely views of the River Earn. The walk is just over 7 miles in length with 250m of climbing. Given the nature of some of the paths which could be slippy boots are recommended and poles if you use them.

✔ 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.

✔ 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, then by Coatdyke (opposite and adjacent to the Kwik Fit) lastly Airdrie (Farmfoods across from Airdrie Railway station).

winter walks

Wednesday walk

10 December

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

➝ ONLY CONTACT the walk leader within 2 weeks (26 November) of the date of a scheduled walk.

➝ Maximum number on each walk: 16.

➝ Booking is on a first come, first served basis.

➝ A reserve list will be created in the event of cancellations.

➝ No charge is applied for those participating on these walks.

➝ Financial costs associated with transport are at participants own cost.

➝ All walks are between 5 and 8 miles, and will be undertaken at a leisurely pace.

➝ Appropriate weatherproof clothing and walking shoes/boots & poles recommended.

✔ Location: The ‘Angel of the Nauld’ & EnD of Season / Pre-Xmas Lunch

✔ Time & Travel: We will catch the #347 ‘Cumbernauld’ bus from Monklands District Hospital at 10.00 a.m. alighting at ASDA Cumbernauld (1 Tryst Road, Cumbernauld G67 1JW) arriving 10.40 a.m. The walk will start at 11.00 from the taxi rank after a comfort stop at the superstore.

Return journey is the #347 to ‘Monklands General Hospital’ which runs every 30 mins from the bus stop at the Antonine Shopping Centre.

N.B. Car Parking:
➝ ASDA Cumbernauld maximum 3 hours allowed.
➝ Wetherspoons Car Park, Cumbernauld Shopping Centre (G67 1NG) (all day free parking – 5 min walk to ASDA Car Park).

✔ Finish time: 3 hours (approx.)

✔ Recce: This is a 5.5-mile circular walk from the Taxi Rank at ASDA Cumbernauld. It is comprised of a mixture of pavement and forest track that undulate through:

Cumbernauld Country Glen, Cumbernauld Village, Carrickstone Road (Carrickstone – Wikipedia), Cumbernauld Community Park – on the north side of the town with stunning views of the countryside below and beyond & the awe inspiring Angel of the Nauld – ‘Arria’ (Angel Of The Nauld) and returning via Seafar Wood Wildlife Reserve – passing the Windows of Nature and along butterfly & bat trail paths before reaching Our Lady’s Secondary School.

We then tackle a small steepish footpath, which brings us out at the top of the hill and to an unexpected & surprising end to the walk at the upper entrance to the Antonine Shopping Centre.

✔ Footwear: Walking trainers (if dry) or walking shoes / boots (if wet). Short woodland & suburban hills involved.

✔ Pre-walk comfort stops: Asda Supermarket, Cumbernauld

✔ Post-walk social stop: The Carrick Stone (J D Wetherspoon)

Wednesday walks

race night

22 November

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A fundraising race night will be held on the above date. A buffet and bar will be provided. Jackie will be asking members if they wish to purchase a horse and/or jockey before the event (these can also be purchased if unable to attend).

Owners and jockeys who win the race will receive a prize. Bets can be placed during the evening on every race.

There will also be “Irish Bingo”/or closest coin to the bottle game after the races are finished. Family and friends are welcome.

Anyone wishing to attend this event, can they please email Jackie with name and numbers at jacquelinewilson117@gmail.com