Scottish ramblers lured to Malta

Since its foundation two years ago, the Ramblers Association has not only garnered a healthy local following but it has now managed to lure to the island a group of 60 trekkers from the Biggar Ramblers Association of Scotland.

The Scots will be arriving on Friday and will be joining their Maltese counterparts in a series of walks on their 13-day visit.

When contacted, association president Lino Bugeja said: "Our activities are spread internationally through our website.

"Through this digital tool and the enthusiasm of the association's committee and its friends, we have been able to market the natural characteristics of this island.

"These include the scenic beauty the island presents during the tourist shoulder months particularly the exceptional coastal cliffs, the historic landmarks and the flora exceeding 1,000 species.

"We are showing with tangible results the great possibly of winter tourism when the countryside looks so exceptional. Rambling has an extraordinary appeal for most people".

The Biggar members will be joining several walks in the programme put together for this month by the Malta association.

For example, next Sunday they will join the walk along the Victoria Lines. The trek will stretch from Rabat to Mtarfa via the Ghexierem Bridge down to Wied Qlejgha. They will then go uphill to the Dwejra lines up to Bingemma and Rabat.

Then on Monday, the Biggars together with local ramblers will do the Three Cities and the walk will be led by Mr Bugeja himself who was born in Vittoriosa and lived there during WWII.

On Wednesday, the ramblers will go on what is being called a coast-to-coast walk along one of the main valley systems that from Dingli crosses the island down to Marsa.

The rest of the rambles will include Gnien Ingraw, Rdum Majjesa, Delimara and west coast of the island including a bronze-age village.

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