Winter Moot 2012

February 24th – 26th 2012, near Lanark, Scotland

A weekend of discussion and networking for those taking direct action against ecological destruction

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This years Earth First Winter Moot will take place in Glespin Village Hall, South Lanarkshire. Glespin is a small village about 14 miles south of Lanark, and 35 miles south of Glasgow. South Lanarkshire also has many beautiful areas with rivers, hills, forests and peat bogs. However, it is also an area under threat. Glespin sits in the shadow of Glentaggart open cast coal mine, one of several in the area, with coal trucks travelling through the village regularly. Just down the road sits Mainshill where people battled against open cast, and in the distance the proposed area of Glentaggart East open cast can be seen. Gravel quarries and an incinerator threaten more of the surrounding countryside, with the communities opinions repeatedly ignored.

Glespin Village Hall is independently run and owned by residents of the village. The village has no shop or bank, so get any cash or anything else you need. There are several shops and cash machines near Lanark Train Station. It is a single storey brown building on the right hand side of the road, the A70, if you are travelling from Douglas.

If you get lost and need help, then please call us on 07799277361


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Train to Lanark

Glasgow: The train to Lanark goes from Glasgow Central Station Lower Level (getting down there can take a few minutes so don't cut it too close). You don't need to book a place for your bike, but there isn't a specific bike space to look for the disabled space where there is usually enough room. Timetable info.
Edinburgh: Trains to Lanark are frequent but you need to change. The station you need to change at depends which train you get, so check before as the conductor doesn't always know. You don't need to book a bike on any Scotrail trains but do on the Cross Country trains, and they aren't very lenient, so check which operator you're getting before trying. Search National Rail Enquiries for times. If you are cycling from the train station it is far quicker to get the train to Carstairs, which is only a mile or two further to cycle but much quicker and slightly cheaper. There is ample cycle storage and you don't need to book in advance. Timetable Info.

Cycling from Lanark.

There are two routes you can cycle from. One is shorter, with less hills and better roads, but the road is very busy, including coal trucks which move fast. This route is only recommended for confident cyclists. The other route is longer and has more hills and pot holes but the road is quieter for most of the way. Directions for both are here in pdf format: Short Route. Long Route. It's important if you are cycling to make yourself visible, as neither route has street lights. Take bike lights and a high vis jacket if possible.

Bus from Lanark.

The bus to Glespin leaves from the bus station next to the train station. You want the number 9 or 259 bus. The timetable is available here in pdf. Glespin is the last stop.

Driving to Glespin

Driving instructions are available here in pdf.

Hitch Hiking

To hitch hike it's best to aim for the M74, which goes up the west coast from Carlisle (its what the M6 turns into). You should aim for Happendon Services off junction 12 from the south or 11 from the north. From happendon services its a short bus ride. Turn right from the Happendon services and walk down the dual carriageway till you reach a large roundabout. The bus stop is on the road leading to Lanark. You want the 259 or 9 bus to Glespin. Call us if you get really stuck.

To contact us email: efwintermoot@noflag.org.uk

Earth First! is not an organisation, but a way of using non-hierarchical organisation and the use of direct action to confront, stop and eventually reverse the forces that are responsible for the destruction of the Earth and its inhabitants. For further info check out Earth First! Action Reports