
The
Monklands Ramblers
hillwalking club
The club was formed in the summer of 1985 by a few local people who were interested in hillwalking. At that time, the walks were fairly informally organised and people travelled to the walks in cars. Nowadays we are organised into a proper club with a full elected committee. Our members consist of people from all walks of life ranging in age from 10 – 80.
We are one of the largest R.A. clubs in Scotland, and the first Scottish R.A. club on the Internet! We are based in the Monklands area of Central Scotland in North Lanarkshire, some 12 miles east of Glasgow. The two major towns in the area are Airdrie and Coatbridge, and it is from these towns that the majority of our 150+ members come from. There are also a significant number of members from other areas of Lanarkshire, in particular, Hamilton and Blantyre.
We run a 50 seater coach to all of our walks (which are always covered beforehand by the leaders), we have walks programmes which cover Scotland and northern England and cater for all levels of fitness. Monklands Ramblers also has an active social scene with dances, quiz nights and ten-pin bowling outings organised by the committee.
The club has actively and successfully campaigned for rights of way to be maintained and enhanced in the North Lanarkshire area. We have also become very much a part of the local community with frequent acknowledgement of our activities in the local press. The club is extremely successful simply because of the effort and support shown by the members. We consider ourselves a friendly bunch of people who always have a great time irrespective of the unpredictable Scottish weather!
We would be delighted to welcome along any new walkers who may be considering joining us.
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Still Going Strong
the
40th anniversary
celebration poem
(Original poem was for our 10th Anniversary)
It was 40 years ago today after the Monklands walk they say
some locals set up a committee
They had similar likes to go out for hikes
and go out and see somewhere pretty
So they sat down and talked and then set off and walked
this small and select group of amblers
Douglas Fermie, Moira and Frank are some we should thank
for forming the first Monklands Ramblers
They thought they would like to go further to hike
so they decided to go off in cars
And that’s the ramblers we love with a change to the above
now we go in a bus and end up in bars
So since it all began for 40 years on the run
we’ve had trips, BBQs and been on a ferry
We’ve been high walks and low from the Lakes to Glencoe
and run up a Munro to please Gerry
We’re all very friendly if not terribly trendy
as we head off encased in our gear
With Ken ahead in his parka and Linda as back marker
we follow with nothing to fear
Old Bob gives a wink as he flirts over his drink
as he treats us all to a wee dram
His red cheeks aglow his white hair on show
he’ll tell you how to castrate a lamb.
But one thing sticks out like Shiehallion no doubt,
we’re a good bunch not villains or gamblers
We’ll all stick together no matter the weather
that’s us, that’s Monklands Ramblers.
By Elizabeth Brown
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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.
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
