Rolling mist which deprived the visitors of the scenic attraction of the hilltops was the predominant feature of the rolling borders hills when Duncanrig Rambling Club ventured south for a couple of walks, one of eight and a half  miles and the other of seven miles, in the area around Stobo Castle. Despite having been in contact with a local farmer the ramblers were surprised at the amount of snow they encountered almost as soon as they left the road. The main walk from Broughton to Kirkton Manor on a section of The John Buchan way required significantly more than 39 Steps on the tricky underfoot conditions. Starting from Broughton Place light, sleety snow accompanied the party as they made their way up the glen of Hollows Burn. The absence of wind in the sheltered glen combined with the exertion required to keep upright and make progress on the steady ascent through deepening snow as they passed Clover law to the foot of Broomy side soon had foreheads glistening to the background noise of zips being undone. After a welcome tea break the hikers turned east on the track through the occasional knee-deep drift towards Stobo Hopehead where the route followed the farm track for a short distance before peeling off to cross Hopehead Burn and climb the shoulder of Mid Hill and its narrow pass where deep snow had once again collected. From this height the main walkers were able to communicate with their compatriots coming up the other side of the glen and advise them that this section, originally intended for both groups, was too demanding and to consider an in-and-out walk instead of a circular. A relatively uneventful descent took them to the lunch stop at a ruined cottage where the snow suddenly disappeared. An easy walk took them to the hamlet of Stobo where they crossed the road, then over the River Tweed, to burn off more calories on the last 400 foot climb of the day past Easter Dawyck farm onto a very indistinct trail with sudden deep drifts to finally descend to Kirkton Manor where they arrived at exactly the same time as the coach. The alternative walkers, meanwhile, had taken the advice to return by the same route though the grounds of Stobo Castle but still managed to complete their seven miles. The poor visibility did little to detract from the pleasure of a day in the open air and a welcome social hour in Biggar allowed burning thighs to relax before the return to East Kilbride.