John Muir Way: Linlithgow to South Queensferry

Summary

The sixth stage of the John Muir Way crosses farmland from Linlithgow to reach the Firth of Forth at Bo'ness, passing historic Kinneil House on the way. It then follows the coastline, which is a mix of industrial and wooded with good views to reach Blackness Castle. Hopetoun House is next on route to another coastal section before the imposing bridges and South Queensferry is reached. All facilities here as well as Dalmeny station for trains to Edinburgh and north.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Roads with pavement, tracks, and paths

Getting there

Start

Linlithgow.

Public Transport

Trains and buses at Linlithgow and South Queensferry (Dalmeny).

Start Grid Ref

NS998770

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 24km / 15 miles
Time: 6 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 169m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The John Muir Way stays in the outskirts of Linlithgow following the B8029 north where it crosses the A803, and then taking a path ahead where the road bends right 1km further on. However if you have stayed in Linlithgow or are starting from the station or town centre, it is a shame to miss out views of the Palace and Loch so we have described a route taking in these features that rejoins the main route just outside Linlithgow. To do this, take a signed (Loch and Park) path branching north from the High Street opposite the tiny episcopal church of St Peter's. Pass a block of flats to reach the lochside, then turn left. There are good views across the water to the Palace, home to the Stewart kings, the present building dates from 1424 and although a partial ruin it is still worth a visit for its impressive great hall, carvings and setting.

Stage 2

Follow the lochside path across a footbridge and then turn left (signed A706). At the road turn right and cross the main road at the traffic island to head over the M9. Ignore the first road on the left and after a bend in the road take the next lane on the left. At Balderston Cottages you rejoin the John Muir Way, where you turn right (north) signed Fishers Brae. When the road bends left take the lane ahead past the vehicle barrier and head gently uphill.

Stage 3

Continue straight ahead at a bungalow and when another minor road is reached turn left and then take the next right. When the road bends right at a building, take the path straight ahead with a cottage to the left. This heads into woodland with a stone wall on the left and soon you turn left to head through the wall and continue straight ahead into the pines (ignore the path to the left). At a clear crossroads of paths turn right and continue on the main path ignoring a path to the left to reach an open field. Turn right here through the vehicle barrier and then immediately left to reach Kinneil House. Take the path to the right when you reach the building to go through a gate to the front of the property.

Stage 4

The house started life as a 15th century tower house and later remodelled in the 1500s by the Earl of Arran before being extended into the stately home seen today by the Dukes of Hamilton in the 1660's. The house was only saved from demolition in the 1930's when wall paintings dating from the 16th century were discovered. The house is now only open on special days but you can visit the museum just on the left as you take the driveway away from the front of the property. Continue to the road and turn left (signed Kinneil Halt/Bo'ness) and head downhill. Cross the A993 before the bend and take the signed path on the right to reach another road. Follow this and cross straight over the next road and take the path from the car park towards the railway line. This is the Bo'ness and Kinneil railway which runs a mix of steam and heritage diesel trains during the spring/summer on the line as well as a railway museum in Bo'ness.

Stage 5

Follow the path as it curves right to run alongside the railway soon crossing at the gates and then taking the path branching right signed Kinneil Halt/Bo'ness. At the top of a rise bear right past a stone ignoring the path down to the platform. This nature reserve sits on the site of a coal mining colliery which closed in 1983 and is now home to a large number of wading and overwintering birds as well as coastal and meadow plants. Follow the path along the coast towards Bo'ness, keeping left when the path forks. The route continues beside the water but if you want to visit Bo'ness (all facilities) cross at the level crossing and pass the memorial pit winding wheel to reach the town centre. Otherwise follow the path past picnic tables and then left over the bridge at the now disused dock.

Stage 6

Keep following the coast path and pass the Upper Forth Boat Club. Head through a gap in a flood wall to follow a concrete walkway beneath the seawall by a sawmill. At the far end of this follow a ramp bank onto the top of the embankment next to the water until the next obstacle, a boatyard, is reached. Follow the path to the right here, soon turning left (signed Foreshore Path) to rejoin the coast. The next section has been rebuilt as a cycle path and offers good views across the water. It skirts the edge of the trees around the back of a bay (ignore paths off to the right).

Stage 7

Continue along the path, soon running right by the shore. Later there is a section by a hedgerow adjacent to fields, giving great views open out over Blackness Bay and Castle on the headland beyond, backed by the Forth Bridges. The path continues into the village of Blackness itself (bus stop), formed as a port to serve the royalty in residence at nearby Linlithgow until superseded by Bo'ness in the 17th century. The harbour now houses Blackness Boat Club, and their vessels can be seen on the moorings in the bay.

Stage 8

Follow the road around the bay to reach Blackness Castle, standing impressively on the promontory overlooking the bay. The castle was built in the 1440s by Sir George Crichton to protect the port, and then became crown property in 1453 serving as a state prison before becoming the most formidable artillery fortification in Scotland in the mid 16th century. The castle served as an ammunition depot in the late 1800s before being handed into the care of Historic Scotland after the First World War. Although now open to visitors, the castle has also been used in various films including Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet in 1990, and Doomsday in 2008. After exploring the castle, take the path on the left immediately after the castle admin buildings through the kissing gate. Keep close to the buildings and down steps to reach the path on the far side of the promontory and bear right to continue alongside the water.

Stage 9

Head inland slightly to cross a footbridge over the Black Burn and follow the path (now cycle path 76) through the woods. Stay on the main signed route and turn right (inland) at the bridge and stone wall surrounding Hopetoun House. Follow the track (signed S. Queensferry) as it skirts the property, going through a gate and then across grassy parkland to curve left and give good views of the impressive stately home (open Easter to end Sept). Join the tarmac drive and follow this to the left alongside the estate wall. Continue ahead onto the grass track soon going through a gate, keep straight ahead until a T junction where you turn left. At the next junction turn right (still on cycle route 76) and continue ahead to go through the impressive gateway. Now follow the minor road along the coast at first and then uphill to pass under the Queensferry Crossing and then the original road bridge. bearing left along residential Hopetoun Road to reach the centre of South Queensferry where there are all facilities. To reach Dalmeny station for trains to Edinburgh head up The Loan (B907) , turn right after 500 metres into the Scotmid Car Park, aim for the top left hand corner and follow the disused railway line for a quarter of a mile. Turn right at the signpost for the railway station, go up a small rise and through the housing estate to emerge on Station Road just before to the station.

Next stage: Queensferry to Edinburgh

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