Forth & Clyde Union Canal Ratho - Linthgow

It was a cracking December winter day, ideal for a low level walk. Being in the vicinity of Edinburgh I opted to walk another stage of the Forth & Union canal, my second. In a previous post I walked from Ratho into the start of the canal in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. This time I am heading west so it is Ratho to Linlithgow.

There were a few people around the barges but by and large a quiet place this morning. The walk is mainly a tree lined wooded environment, easy flat walking. Just out of Ratho the opposite bank is lined with wooden cutout cartoon figures (see snap of Peppa Pig). This continues for over a mile and provides excellent diversion trying to name them all. Must have been 30 plus of them. If you have not had kids or grandkids forget it. These continue until Santa's grotto or is it a castle? I assume that one of the canal boats operates a kids/Santa trip but good fun for walking adults as well.

Peppa

Santa's grotto

After about 3 miles the canal takes a right turn and in front of you is the Almond viaduct which crosses the River Avon which from up here is a long way down. Good site for a bungee jump if you are brave enough. The viaduct gives great views down to the river. If you wish there is a walk diversion down into the country park.

River Almond

Typical woodland stretch

There is still regular aircraft noise and now that the woods are gone for a while and the M8 is also in sight and sound. Broxburn can be seen as well as the red coloured bings, a familiar site to anyone travelling here. I did not realise today's walk goes right past these bings. Also in the distance the tops of the new Forth bridges are in view.

Broxburn bings

Soon the walk goes under the M8 and Broxburn approaches. This is not the prettiest of places with a few surly dogs having to be avoided as well as their owners.
Having survived the walk is quite quickly alongside one of these bings (these are oil shale spoil tips), it seemed quite far away not long ago. I remember in the past these being used by motocross riders, no sign of that today, no doubt health and safety has scuppered that.
Back into open countryside and Winchburgh is reached. Flocks of redwing and fieldfare keep me company as they gorge on the red berries. Just before Winchburgh, on my right there is a small castle like structure and it looks like a golf course beside it, need to look this up. A small canal works depot is located here, Port Buchan I think. They look after the stretch from bridges 19-40. On the path side there is a picturesque graveyard, if you have got to be buried this looks as nice a place as any.

Back into wooded territory again I spot a couple of cyclists heading my way. I expected to see more today but only 4 in total. Indeed it was only a few dog walkers around as well. It is in next years plans to be cycling the full canal but only after I have completed this walk. Suddenly, in this wooded stretch, the temperature drops significantly and zips are pulled up. 

Once again the trees are gone and it is open countryside to to Linlithgow. However in the distance I can see two columns of 'whatever' rising in the distance, Grangemouth no doubt. Also on my right across in Fife another huge column rises, this time flattening out as the hot stuff meets the cold atmosphere. This time the petrochemical site at Mossmorran is no doubt the culprit.

Grangemouth pollution

The town of Linlithgow is in view, a lot more modern housing than when I lived here many years ago. Another historic town, Mary Queen of Scots and all that, but more of Linlithgow's history when I do the next leg.
My walk finished at the train station and as luck would have it one is due in 5 minutes.
The distance recorded at 13.47 miles taking just over 4 hours. 
I was not expecting a great deal of wildlife but pleasantly surprised. Non everyday close sightings included: water vole; grey squirrel; great spotted woodpecker; long tailed tits; fieldfare; sparrowhawk; buzzard; redwing.

Niddrie Castle

PS the castle at Winchburgh is Niddrie castle with a significant history so look it up and it does have a golf course of the same name.

Forth & Clyde Union Canal Ratho - Lochrin Basin

After my hill efforts yesterday I decided on a low level walk today. My walking plans for next year included walking the full length of the Forth & Clyde canal which runs from Bowling near Dumbarton across the central belt to Edinburgh. However, as I was staying close to Ratho I took this opportunity to walk the 1st stage, albeit in reverse, from the walks normal Edinburgh start to Ratho. It is much easier to get transport connections from the city centre rather than Ratho, hence my choice of direction.

Fixed housing and flexible boat housing

I have not been in Ratho for years so was surprised by the new housing as well as the canal boats. A pleasant and popular pub/restaurant located here.

Ratho

You are straight onto the canal path and this stretch for about 3 and a half miles is through pleasant countryside particularly so as the trees were entering their Autumn colours phase. However, it is also a fairly noisy stretch as you are close to the main Glasgow motorway and Edinburgh airport, so just try and block the constant drone out. 

The canal is popular with holiday barges but I thought that the season would be past but I did see 4 on the move today. Friendly waves from 3 of them but one grumpy bearded guy stared straight ahead, probably an English tourist.
Bird spotting included kingfishers, moorhens, buzzards and umpteen small tit/finch flocks.

First boat cruises towards me

Be aware the canal is very popular with cyclists and there were plenty around today and some of them obviously do not like walkers.

The canal crosses over the Edinburgh road bypass and now you enter a more industrial and and somewhat grimmer area including the housing schemes of Wester Hailes.

Wester Hailes housing block

However there was much more people activity on this stretch. More people using the canal path, walkers and locals, some with early morning beer cans in hand. A group were getting some canoe coaching. A bird spotter tells me what he has seen today. Another group of young kids getting kitted out. Rowing boats were many: singles, doubles and even a four man crew. They presumably must up oars if another boat comes the opposite direction as the canal is rather narrow and extremely murky should anyone fall in.

Looking down to Water of Leith and railway

When the canal goes over the Water of Leith the environment changes again, parks and more affluent suburbs along with Boroughmuir rugby ground and sport complex. 

 Another rowing club hut, at least the 3rd, sits on the far bank with this poster of dedication to the Olympian, David Florence (3 Olympic Silver medals), one of its members.
As more people are around I reflect that I have heard more Polish voices today than English speakers, interesting sign of the times.

Then I come to today's walk conclusion. More modern housing built around the canal. Boats moored and this impressive lift bridge.
It is strange to then walk through a passageway to now be at Fountainbridge in the heart of the city of Edinburgh. A 5 minute stroll to Princes Street. Just brilliant and I know where I am going for a pint of Edinburgh brewings award winning Paolozzi before I get the bus home.
A really enjoyable and varied low level walk of 8.1 miles with enough diversity to keep your interest for the full walk.

Not sure what this carving depicts, miners, canal labourers?