Rigside is situated in Lanark and is governed by South Lanarkshire Council. It is very close to the
town of Douglas which I have been to recently. It is a very nice, yet remote part of the country.
To set off on Day 10, they must follow the A70
and come to Ravenstruther. Ravenstruther's history is nothing spectacular, apart from the coincidental names of the people
from which it was passed down to. In the
16th Century it was named Ranestrother. A short report on this hamlet states that the lands of Ravenstruther were held by
the Somerville family, and were, in 1545, given by Hugh (the 6th Lord ) to his youngest son (Somerville of Spittell). In the
list of assizes summond by Bishop Alexander we find the names of ADAM, son of THOMAS of Castrotheris and William Rufus.
Ravenstruther also posesses a complex rail network and the noise of trains is forever evident here.
Approx half way into their journey, they take the B805, passing Brightons, Redding
and then entering Grangemouth, near Falkirk. Grangemouth exists thanks to Sir Lawrence Dundas of Kerse's construction of the
Forth & Clyde Canal in 1768 which attracted greater populations to the area and small villages and hamlets were set up
which grew over time. Indeed Grangemouth is famous for it's heavy industry in the earlier years. The town centre is surprisingly
busy thanks to a radical upgrade in the mid-90's which allowed space for many multi-national chains to set up here. It is
a very exciting time here, with the people of the town being allowed to design their own town centre. This will be done by
Falkirk Council's £22m investment in the area over the next few years.
Leaving Grangemouth, they take the A905, A876, passing through Kincardine. Then
it's the A977, passing Blairingone and then onto Dunning. Dunning is the perfect setting for cyclists - I have cycled it many
times. The roads are reasonably flat, the scenery is beautiful and the small village centre has a lot to offer.
