West Lothian
walking
week
21-27 September 2009
Be active, feel better and
enjoy the outdoors!
Explore West Lothian’s beautiful landscape and
learn about the county’s wonderful history.
West Lothian Council delivers
westlothian.gov.uk
Welcome...
to the 2009 West Lothian Walking Week
Just 30 minutes walking a day can make a dramatic
difference to your health and wellbeing. Walking is an
accessible and inclusive form of exercise, which can
also be very sociable and easily fitted into people’s
daily lives. What better way to get out and about than
by enjoying the beautiful scenery which West Lothian
has to offer.
Whether you are an experienced walker or a total
beginner, West Lothian Walking Week offers you the
chance to explore beautiful landscape, learn about
the area’s history, make new friends and take some
important strides towards improving your health.
Best of all, the guided walks and activities are
absolutely free! You can enjoy a variety of walks from
country parks to the woodlands, along canals and
into nature reserves. The walks cover a range of times
throughout the day, so simply book your walk and go!
Quality greenspace contributes to feelings of
wellbeing and it’s right on our doorstep! We have kept
some of the popular walks from last year’s event and
have added others we think you will enjoy.
Booking is advisable and you can register onto a walk
by contacting:
tel: 01506 775626
email: [email protected]
For safety and logistical reasons, numbers are
limited so to avoid disappointment we would
encourage you to book your place.
monday 21 september
Launch of West Lothian
Walking Week
Time:
10 - 11am
Venue:
Hopetoun House
Lord Hopetoun will launch the West Lothian Walking Week.
Dennis Canavan from Ramblers Scotland will also be there to
say a few words. Everyone is welcome to the launch, however
booking is essential if you want to join us for walk 1.
Hopetoun House’s Historic
Designed Landscape
1
Led by Hopetoun House Ranger
Time:
11 - 12.30am
Distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles
Start: Hopetoun House Ranger Centre Historical walk looking at Hopetoun House’s designed
landscape, including the gardens, pond, deer park and vistas.
Suitable for all ages including families with primary aged
children.
Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks
monday 21 september
Dechmont Wood North
2
Led by Put Your West Foot Forward volunteers
Time:
2 - 3pm
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Start: Outside Dechmont Post Office
Join us on a pleasant walk that is out of this world! In 1979 a
forestry worker had an alleged encounter with a UFO at this
Dechmont site. This is a low level walk and is led by trained walk
leaders. It is suitable for anyone new to activity. Please note
there are no toilet facilities at this meeting point.
Polkemmet Walk
3
Led by West Lothian Leisure, Ageing Well
Time:
5.30 - 7pm
Distance: Will vary depending on level of those in
attendance and speed of the walker.
Start: Xcite Whitburn Leisure Centre
Target Group: Over 50s
Meeting at Xcite Whitburn Leisure Centre we will have a short
walk along the Main Street and head out into Polkemmet
Country Park for a walk around the park grounds. Primarily
this will be a woodland walk which may have some uneven
surfaces in places. Suitable for beginners or regular walkers.
To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626
tuesday 22 september
Almondell
4
Led by West Lothian Council Countryside Rangers
Time:
10 - 11.45am
Distance: 3 km / 2 miles
Start: Visitor Centre,
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Keep on the move and join in a healthy walk around
Almondell Country Park. Find out about wildlife and history
as we walk from the visitor’s centre to the south entrance
to join the old railway path to Uphall. Surfaced paths, some
uphill and steep steps descending from viaduct.
Kids’ History Walk
5
Led by Historic Scotland Countryside Ranger
Time:
1 - 3.30pm
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Start: Linlithgow Palace
Kids history ramble round Linlithgow Loch on flat but
uneven paths. Historical themes with activities on the way.
Suitable for families with primary aged children. Children
must be accompanied by an adult.
Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks
tuesday 22 september
Binny Craig Ramble
6
Led by Linlithgow Ramblers
Time:
10am - 1pm
Distance: 8 kms / 5 miles
Start: Uphall Community Centre
Join Linlithgow Ramblers and admire the panoramic
views of West Lothian from the top of Binny Craig. Track
mainly follows field margins and farm tracks, with a short
paved section. There is a steep climb to the top of Binny
Craig (optional).
Animal Homes
7
Led by Hopetoun House Ranger
Time:
2 - 3.30pm
Distance: 2 km / 1.2 miles
Start: Hopetoun House Ranger Centre
Kids walk searching for animal homes in the grounds of
Hopetoun House. There will be a number of activities
including a mini beast hunt. We will also visit the Deer
Park and feed the deer. Suitable for families with primary
aged children.
Livingston Old Wood Walk
8
Led by West Lothian Council and Woodland Trust
Time:
5.30 - 7pm
Distance: 3 km / 2 miles
Start: Eliburn Park Pavilion,
Houstoun Road, Livingston
Experience the old and the new in a leisurely walk around
the wonderful new Eliburn Park and through Livingston’s
Old Wood on mainly flat but uneven paths. Some steps
and slopes. Suitable for all including families with
primary aged children. Return to pavilion afterwards for
refreshments.
wednesday 23 september
River Avon and Union
Canal Towpath
9
Led by Central Scotland Forest Trust
Time:
10.30 am - 12 noon
Distance: 6 km / 3.6 miles
Start: Outside Linlithgow Sports Centre
Enjoy a circular walk from Linlithgow Bridge along the
River Avon Heritage Trail to the Aqueduct at Muiravonside
and return by the Union Canal towpath. Hear about the
built environment and natural heritage of the local area.
There are muddy, uneven and steep sections on this route.
West Calder Woods Walk
10
Led by West Lothian Council and Woodland Trust
Time:
1 - 3pm
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Start: West Calder Community Centre
A tale of two woods! Take a lively walk through Parkhead
to Hermand Beech and Birch Woods on mainly flat but
uneven paths. Some paths are unsurfaced and may be wet
and muddy - others are alongside the road. There are some
steps and slopes. Suitable for adults and children able to
walk at adult pace. Return to community centre afterwards
where refreshments are available.
River Almond Amble
11
Led by Put Your West Foot Forward Volunteers
Time:
2 - 3pm
Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles
Start: Craigsfarm
This scenic route takes us along the River Almond. It is on
wide surfaced paths with the occasional steep slope. Led by
trained walk leaders, walkers are encouraged to walk at a
pace that suits them. Toilets and refreshments are available
at Craigsfarm café.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Hopetoun House Historic Design Landscape
Dechmont Wood North
Polkemmet walk
Almondell
Kids’ History Walk
Binnie Craig
Animal Homes
Livingston Old Wood Walk
River Avon and Union Canal Towpath
West Calder Woods Walk
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
River Almond Amble
Blawhorn National Nature Reserve
Blaeberry Woods Walk
Pumpherston ponds
Linhouse Circular
Witchcraig walk
Kirknewton Community Wood
Easter Breich
Walking on Wheels
Beecraigs Loch Walk
wednesday 23 september
Blawhorn National Nature
Reserve
12
Led by Scottish Natural Heritage
Time: 2 - 3.30pm
Distance: 2.5 km / 1.5 miles
Start: Blawhorn Reserve Car Park, by Blackridge
Come and join us on a short walk to enjoy the open views
over the purple heather. You can take a closer look at some
of the plants that form the building blocks that make this
a special wetland habitat. This ancient mossy expanse is
the only National Nature Reserve in the Lothains. The path
surfaces include; a slightly stony track, a surfaced path and
finally a wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk is built over the
moss plants so you can walk over 8000 years of history, locked
into its deep peat layers.
The first 20 to book will receive a free pedometer!
To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626
thursday 24 september
Blaeberry Woods Walk
13
Led by West Lothian Council and Woodland Trust
Time:
10am - 12 noon
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Start: Whitburn Community Centre
Join us for an invigorating walk through the park and
around the community woodland to enjoy Whitburn’s
diverse green spaces. Some paths are un-surfaced
and may be very wet and muddy. Suitable for adults
and children able to walk at adult pace. Return to
community centre afterwards for refreshments.
Pumpherston Ponds
14
Led by West Lothian Council Countryside Rangers
Time:
2pm – 3pm
Distance: 2.5 km / 1.5 miles
Start: Pumpherston Post Office, nr Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Get on the move in Pumpherston and explore
the wildlife and industrial heritage of the old
Drumshoreland moor. There may be some
rough tracks.
Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks
friday 25 september
Linhouse Circular
15
Led by Put Your West Foot Forward Volunteers
Time:
10 - 11am
Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles
Start: Livingston South Railway Station car park
This attractive walk takes us through a woodland and
gives impressive views to the Pentlands. The walk will be
led by trained walk leaders and walkers are encouraged
to walk at a pace that suits them. The path is slightly
uneven and may be muddy in places if wet. There are no
toilet facilities at this meeting point.
Witchcraig Walk
16
Led by West Lothian Council
Time:
2 - 3.30pm
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Start: Torphichen Community Centre car park
A pretty walk from Torphichen through young woodland
at Witchcraig, leading into Beecraigs Country Park. This
walk passes the Korean War Memorial, Witchcraig Wall,
Refuge Stone and offers spectacular views over to Fife,
returning via Lochcote Reservoir.
To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626
saturday 26 september
Kirknewton
Community Wood
17
Led by West Lothian Council Countryside Rangers
Time: 11am - 12pm
Distance: 2.5 km /1.5 miles
Start: Kirknewton Post Office
Get on the move in Kirknewton. A walk from the
village centre through old estate and new community
woodland. Paths and tracks.
Easter Breich
18
Led by West Lothian Council Countryside Rangers
Time:
2 - 4pm
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Start: Almond Pools car park
Kirkton Campus, Livingston
A pan-handle walk on good paths along the river
Almond and through a young mixed woodland.
A good walk in pleasant country surroundings.
Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks
sunday 27 september
Walking on Wheels
19
Led by West Lothian Council Access Ranger
Time:
11.30 – 1pm
Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles
Start: Information Centre,
Beecraigs Country Park
Join West Lothian’s Disabled Ramblers for a gentle stroll
through Beecraigs Country Park, following the forest
tracks. Walk suitable for all abilities.
Beecraigs Loch Walk
20
Led by West Lothian Council Countryside Rangers
Time:
1.30 - 3pm
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Start: Lochside car park,
Beecraigs Country Park
A guided walk at a leisurely pace around the loch
looking at the wildlife, plants and history. Suitable for all
abilities.
To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626
Information is available in Braille, tape,
Large print and community languages.
Please contact the Interpretation and
Translation Service on 01506 775000.
walk programme
Monday 21 Sept
Launch of West Lothian Walking Week
Hopetoun House Historic Design Landscape
Dechmont Wood North
Polkemmet Walk
Tuesday 22 Sept
Binnie Craig
Almondell
Kids’ History Walk
Animal Homes
Livingston Old Wood Walk
Wednesday 23 Sept
River Avon and Union Canal Towpath
West Calder Woods Walk
River Almond Amble
Blawhorn National Nature Reserve
Thursday 24 Sept
Blaeberry Woods Walk
Pumpherston Ponds
Friday 25 Sept
Linhouse Circular
Witchcraig Walk
Saturday 26 Sept
Kirknewton Community Wood
Easter Breich
Sunday 27 Sept
Walking on Wheels
Beecraigs Loch Walk
westlothian.gov.uk