Leaving a rather misty Biggar, 16 ramblers arrived at Drumlanrig Castle in bright autumn sunshine. In the morning, the group followed the Nith Linns walk. This started  across open parkland and then headed down to the banks of the river Nith, which it followed for about 2 miles. With the autumn colours, this was a most attractive path overlooking the gurgling river below. Of particular interest were the great number of different fungi. At one point a heron was spotted, eyes focussed on the water for fish (the river is fished for both trout and salmon). The end of the morning walk took the group along the main drive up to the 'Pink Palace' of Drumlanrig, a most impressive building constructed of pink sandstone between 1679 and 1689, and home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.

After lunch, a shorter walk was taken along the Marr Burn. After passing  the Stam Hydro unit, wonderful views of the rear of the castle and its well laid out gardens opened up. The next point of interest was the 'Leaping Arch', positioned in the middle of the Marr Burn. This was designed and constructed by the well known local artist Andy Goldsworthy in 2009. The path then meandered in and out of mixed forest and across several bridges before ending back at the castle.