Ratho to Linlithgow

Summary

The Scottish National Trail follows almost the entire length of the Union Canal. Built between 1818 and 1822, the Union canal was designed by Hugh Baird and was originally used for transporting coal before competition from the railways caused it to close to commercial use in the 1930s. It is a contour canal - with no locks - ensuring this stage of the route gives flat and easy walking.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Canal towpath throughout.

Public Transport

Bus to Ratho from Edinburgh; Linlithgow is well served by both bus and train.

Start

Ratho. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 5m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT139709

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From the north side of the road bridge in Ratho turn right to head down to the Union Canal towpath, and then turn right again to head along it, passing back beneath the bridge. Ratho is a major hub on the canal, with numerous jetties housing liveaboards on their narrowboats as well as hire companies and boat trip operators. Soon the canal banks are wooded; a path off to the right leads up to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena where there is a cafe. Back on the towpath, the canal soon opens out at Wilkie's Basin, with a mock castle on the island in the middle of the winding hole used by a cruising company.

Stage 2

The wooded, dappled towpath comes close by the noisy M8 at one point before swinging away and continuing to the Almond Aqueduct. Despite being significantly smaller than the Avon and Slateford Aqueducts, this 130 metre aqueduct is just as pleasant, carrying the canal 23 metres above the wooded River Almond gorge below.

Stage 3

Further on the canal briefly runs near the railway line; the next section of the canal had to be diverted to pass under the M8 motorway, constructed in the 1970s by simply filling in the canal at the appropriate point. Head through the narrow concrete tunnel. A short distance before Broxburn the canal passes a British Waterways depot, complete with a selection of interesting dredging boats that appear ideal for removing submerged shopping trolleys at speed. Port Buchan has been landscaped to offer picnic benches and a grass area adjacent to the canal and offers a good place to rest weary feet. The aptly-named Bridge 19 to 40 Society helps promote use of the canal between canal bridges 19 and 40 - taking in Broxburn, Winchburgh and Philpstoun - and run a couple of narrowboats with the aim of promoting the enjoyment of the canal amongst the local community. They offer boat trips during the summer months.

Stage 4

The canal leads past a number of large shale bings, spoil from the once thriving Scottish shale oil industry; the last shale oil works closed in 1962. The restored Niddry Castle is visible beneath a huge bing, before the canal passes through Winchburgh in a deep cutting. The next section of canal is quiet and very rural, crossing a small aqueduct and passing the village of Philipstoun. On the approach to Linlithgow a road is crossed by another aqueduct, and a series of jetties are passed with Linlithgow Union Canal Society narrowboats and visitor vessels moored. The railway station is located a short distance below the museum at Manse Basin, and is easy to spot from the elevated towpath; this is the end of the stage.

Next stage: Linlithgow to Falkirk

Route: Phil Turner

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