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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD


Derek Harwood's Walking Records

If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

     Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in Path

         Hermiston P&R    to    Broxburn

Tuesday 13th June 2017 .....................................Walk No. 1154

Lands End to John o'Groats Fill-in No. 33   Total 250.50 miles


Time Taken:  3.50 hrs               Distance:                Enjoyment:              Weather: Very  
 09:05 am - 12:25 pm                8.5 miles                      90%                               Windy

Temp:      Cloud:        Rain:       Visibility:        Ground Conditions:                  Nature:
 17oC         75%           2%            Good              Excellent Towpath                        Birds

Total AA:            Total MH:         Total LD:         Total AW:         Other:          Total Distance:
 1122.0 mls        976.0 mls       3530.0 mls      174.5 mls        1986.0 mls      7788.5 miles

Companions:  (Derek)

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Land's End to John o' Groats		Union Canal      			Millennium Link
Climbing Centre Ratho    		John Muir Way			Ratho Marina	
National Cycle Route 754     		Broxburn Shale Bings		River Almond             		

Description:
I parked the car in Hermiston Park & Ride and put on my boots, ready for another adventurous day’s walking. I studied the map and immediately started walking to the canal along Gogar Station Road. Possible showers were forecast for later in the afternoon, so I had to keep moving towards Broxburn. When I reached the canal bridge 11, I descended to the towpath on the north bank of the canal and turned west to join the National Cycle Route 754. The towpath was very quiet and peaceful with just the slight hum of the motorway M8 in the distance, and the wild life. Sometimes a cyclist or walker would pass, but very occasionally, if you are lucky, a canoeist or a pleasure boat would pass and churn up the water. The bridge numbering started from ‘one’ at the Millennium Link Union Canal Basin in Edinburgh, so I soon passed under Bridge 12 and the Hermiston Bridge 13 towards Ratho Village. The towpath was excellent with tarmac the whole length of the walk, just slightly reduced in width by the flora, especially the large leaves of the rhubarb related plants. Next was the Gogar Moor Bridge 14 on the Ransfield Road with the adjacent Golf Course on the southern side of the canal. As I approached Ratho Village I discovered several single seater posts with a large metal top, depicting the world of the canal, very interesting. Next came the Rotha Marina, surrounded by new modern houses overlooking the Marina and their moored pleasure boats, waiting for their next adventure along the lockless Union Canal. Following on immediately was the Bridge Inn Public House, alongside Canal Bridge 15. Just before the bridge there was a metal model of a working horse and barge on the canal, very much not to be missed. The building of the canal displayed the well engineered course of the canal with only a few aqueducts, high embankments and deep cuttings, thus ensuring that no locks exist on the whole length of the canal. This statement is not technically true because there was one lock at the very west end of the canal just before the entrance to a small tunnel leading to the Falkirk Wheel and the Clyde/Forth Canal. The next interesting sight for me was the World’s Largest Indoor Climbing Centre with its adjacent high bridge carrying the road to the Centre Car Park. If time allows this Centre must deserve a visit and the challenge of scaling a wall. Next to the Centre is the Motorway M8 again with only a small disused quarry between the two. Alas, I didn’t have the time to explore, I was too busy conserving my energy for the following days of walking towards Glasgow along the canals. Following on I shortly came to Wilkie’s Basin, with the M8 only yards (metres) away. Here a trio of young canoeists passed me, paddling towards Edinburgh, to me a pleasant surprise. Within another short distance I walked along the aqueduct over the Cliftonhall Road. There is nearly always a good view to be seen while crossing an aqueduct and this was no exception. With the sun shining brightly I came across an unusual sight to the north, Niddry Bing, a huge spoil heap from oil bearing shale, locally known as ‘Bings’ from previous mining ventures. Here I met and chatted to an elderly gentleman who explained the history of the surrounding area, including the bings. He was very knowledgeable and interesting so we spoke for a while. Next noticeable sight on the canal was Nellfield Bridge 16, another traditional bridge as many other bridges on this section of the Union Canal, probably dating back to the building of the canal. Next surprisingly was Bridge 17, another traditional bridge but with a much higher arch, carrying the road to Clifton Hall and soon after the longer Almond Aqueduct over the River Almond. On the right just before the aqueduct was a path with steps down and under the aqueduct leading to a car park, very useful if the canal is to be split into shorter sections. In my opinion the views from the Almond Aqueduct were disappointing due to the dense greenery all around the valley of the River Almond. Note the cyclists sign on the east side of the aqueduct asking cyclists to walk along the aqueduct due to the narrow towpath. After Bridge 20 I came to the main line Bathgate Railway Bridge 20A over the canal, a newly painted bright green metal bridge of a modern design. I would guess the canal came first. After the railway I passed under the wide Bridge 21A of the M8 Motorway, then Footbridge 22 which carried farm traffic, then Bridge 23, carrying the lane to Station Road, Broxburn, by the boat turning circle or winding hole and the untidy yard opposite the moorings. It is always wise to plan the mooring sites with care when planning a canal boat holiday. Under the arch of the Bridge 23 there was a board with a series of overlapping circles on a bright blue background, probably a symmetrical shape generated from a revolving wheel. After the bridge, on the right or north/east, I saw a good view of Greendykes Bing, a sight not to be forgotten. Next was Bridge 25 supporting a lane to Rydal Cottages to the right and Powflats to the left or west. Last of all on this walk were the three bridges in Broxburn. The first was the modern and very broad Broxburn Road Bridge 24A of the A89, built for a dual carriageway but only one half is used by the one carriageway, two way road. Then Bridge 25, serving the two housing estates on each side of the canal and last for this walk was the A889 Bridge supporting West Main Street. I walked east along West Main Street, passing St Nicholas Church on the left to the nearest bus stop and caught Buses 21 & 63, back to the car at Hermiston Park & Ride. Yet again another great walk on my magical mystery walks from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, not to be missed. A magical and mysterious adventure because there is always a surprise around the next corner, it could be the biggest or smallest etc, of a plant, building, animal, structure etc., anything. Enjoy.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: Hermiston Park and Ride .
Finish: at Broxburn - West Main Street.

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