Culross and Valleyfield Woods

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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.

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, 10 January 2026:

➝ Club meal (short walk & lunch)

Sunday, 24 January:

➝ Kilpatrick Hills

Saturday, 7 February:

➝ Fife Coast

Sunday, 22 February:

➝ Stirling

Sunday, 8 March:

➝ Aberfoyle

Sunday, 22 March:

➝ Melrose

see more walks

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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

7 February

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Notes:

➝ Please note this walk is on a Saturday and the final three walks of the winter programme are all Sunday walks.

➝ Morning stop – As there will be no morning stop, please bring own supplies for morning break which we can have in the car park in Culross prior to starting the walks.

Public toilets are available next to the car park (30p or card)

➝ Evening stop – Garvies or the Bridge Bar, Kincardine

Undiscovered Scotland – Culrose

✔ 1st Leader: Janice Black

✔ Location: Culross and Valleyfield Woods

✔ Grade: C+

✔ Distance: 9.2 Miles / 15 km (asc. 115m) (clockwise)

✔ 2nd Leader: Pat Rawlinson

✔ Grade: C

✔ Distance: 7.4 Miles / 12 km (asc. 115m) (cuts out the nature reserve loop, anti-clockwise)

✔ Walk Report:

➝ Culross and Valleyfield Woods:

There are many interesting features along the way including a fin whale skeleton on the shore (see if you can spot it) and a 1645 Plague Grave. There is also a lovely woodland part to the walk where snowdrops are starting to appear.

Walking boots required and gaiters if this rainy weather continues.

✔ Booking: Please contact Pat Rawlinson by SMS text message on 07873 263894 to book on the walk.

✔ Pick-up: First pick-up will be Coatbridge (at the back of the Time Capsule) at 8.30am, followed by Coatdyke (opposite and adjacent to the Kwik Fit), and then Airdrie at 8.40am (Farmfoods across from Airdrie Railway Station)

winter walks

Wednesday Walk

11 February

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To book a place on a walk:

WHATSAPP or TEXT the walk leader, Tony Grimason, on 07516238706, No phone calls

➜ ONLY CONTACT the walk leader within 2 weeks (28 January) 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.

N.B. Bus / Train times likely to change so please check webpage for updates.

✔ Location: Blackridge to Bathgate

✔ Time & Travel: We will catch the 10.36 a.m. ‘Edinburgh’ train from Coatdyke train station arriving at Blackridge train station at 10.49 a.m.
Trains between Bathgate & Airdrie run every 30 minutes.

✔ Finish time: 3 hours (approx.)

✔ Recce: This is 7.5-mile linear walk from Blackridge Train Station to Bathgate Town Centre and forms part of the Airdrie to Bathgate Path (Bathgate to Airdrie Cycle Path – The Cycling Scot). The route is a meandering and undulating footpath / cycle path and runs parallel to the extended Airdrie to Edinburgh railway line primarily via farmland. This is an extension to the Blackridge to Caldercruix walk we did last year, albeit in the opposite direction.

✔ Footwear: As there is a muddy section near an embankment, walking boots or shoes are recommended.

✔ Pre-walk comfort stops: On train

✔ Post-walk social stop: The Balbairdie Hotel, Bathgate

Wednesday walks