Monklands Ramblers put their best feet forward

Jul 16 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

ONE of the biggest walking clubs in Scotland is based right here in Monklands; and you would be hard pushed to find a busier bunch than the Monklands Ramblers and hill-walkers.

The group is one of the largest Ramblers Association (RA) organisations in the country, with a membership in excess of 130 and an age range of 20-75.

Most of those people hail from Airdrie, Coatbridge and surrounding areas but some travel from as far away as Blantyre and Hamilton.

And there are plenty of events to ensure time spent with the ramblers is never dull.

Several local people interested in hill-walking formed the club in the summer of 1985, with informal gatherings organised and members travelling to walks in a fleet of cars.

But 23 years on, the club now has a fully-elected committee and hire coaches or minibuses on their trips across Scotland and the north-east of England.

Walking programmes are covered by club leaders in advance of visits and cater for all levels of fitness.

On occasion, the ramblers will head off on special walking holidays to Austria or stay closer to home and visit places like the Western Isles.

James Muir, the club’s PR officer, said: “We organise one or more walks on most weekends from March to October and we walk fortnightly in the winter months.”

News on what the Ramblers are getting up to can be found on their informative website.

It also reveals details of social events such as ceilidhs, quiz nights, barbecues and ten-pin bowling evenings.

The ramblers seek to play an active role in the community and have successfully campaigned for rights of way to be maintained and enhanced in the North Lanarkshire area.

Mr Muir added: “We consider ourselves a very friendly bunch of people who always have a great time irrespective of the unpredictable British weather.

“The club is extremely successful simply because of the effort and support shown by the members.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Monklands Ramblers should contact James on (01324) 7127542 or log onto www.monklandsramblers.org.uk

The Ramblers and hill-walkers are off to Perthshire this weekend.

An easy-paced moderate walk, graded “B”, has been arranged for above Loch Turret in the Crieff area on Saturday, July 19.

Pick-ups are 8.30am behind the Time Capsule in Coatbridge and 8.45am in Aldi’s car park behind Airdrie Town Hall. For more details, contact Douglas on (0141) 778 4892.