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.

100% Awesome People!

100% Health Benefits

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

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

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

Quick Links

home

about

Starter for £10

Clothing guide

sponsors

find a walk

pick-up

Committee

contact

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