LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I drove to Falkirk and parked the car near Falkirk High Railway Station and walked into Town to start my day's adventure. There is always a surprise, somehow or somewhere, and it could be round the next corner, so my walks to me are just like being on holiday, exploring. When I arrived at Falkirk Bus Station, I looked for Bus 38 to Linlithgow, as I had planned before starting my journey to Scotland. When I reached Linlithgow I alighted the bus near Linlithgow Cross. The next challenge was to find my way to Canal Bridge 43, where I finished the previous day's walk along the Union Canal towards the Falkirk Wheel. The towpath was used by the National Cycleway No.754 which I followed from Edinburgh to Falkirk It was another good day for exploring, not too hot, not too cold, a little windy, but nothing to spoil a walk along the towpath. It was a lovely place to start walking, with the boats in the canal basin, the flowers in their beds and the view over the town. What more could an explorer ask for? Before I had left the town behind me I came upon my first surprise, a canal rubbish collector vessel, which scooped the floating rubbish from the surface as the boat slowly passed by. I had walked many miles in England & Wales along canals previously and had never come across such an excellent idea whilst walking. As I left the hum of the town the environment became much calmer, with the birds twittering and the occasional splash from a fish breaking the surface of the water. I did meet the odd walker or cyclist but generally I was on my own enjoying the very green rural scenery with the hills on the horizon. I passed under many bridges of the same design as most of the bridges along the towpath until I reached a terraced row of old warehouses on the side of the towpath and all very tidy and newly painted in blue. The other side of the warehouses were close to the A706 main road, with sufficient room to load/unload carts or vehicles. I could imagine the scene when the warehouses were in their heydays, a hive of activity, with barges queuing to load or unload their goods, near Canal Bridge 48. After the bridge came a Winding Hole, or a turning place for boating craft to the non canal workers. Just before I reached the Avon Aqueduct the towpath was joined by the John Muir Way from the north, which had followed the River Avon east bank passing Manuel Mill, dated 1830. Along with the National Cycleway 754, I followed the John Muir Way to Canal Bridge 53, where the Way turned north near the Westquarter Burn and soon entered Callendar Wood, the Callendar Park. The Avon Aqueduct was a very high structure above the River Avon. 86 feet (26 metres) and 810 feet (250 metres) long, with good views north of the River Avon to the weir at the bend, but the wooded valley obscured the river further north and also southwards. Don't miss the Avon Viaduct to the north east spanning the River Avon and roads B825 & B8029.There is an excellent view of the viaduct above the trees near the horizon and with the distant hills on the horizon. A pair of binoculars or a camera with a good telescopic lens will be needed for the best view. After the viaduct the canal turned gradually North West towards Polmont Town. At Canal Bridge 52A I spotted a path to the north, to a good car parking area, which could be a good place to break the walk into two sections if necessary. The canal slowly turned west passing Polmont Station on the right and soon afterwards HM Young Offenders Institution on the left with Canal Bridge 54 immediately after the Institution. Here the scenery changed to open up a rural environment with pleasure boats moored on the south canal bank and Callendar Park to the north. If possible don't miss Callendar House and the route of the Antonine Wall in the park. Further along the canal I passed a mile stone displaying 3 miles to Falkirk and 28.5 miles from Edinburgh, near a direction pole where the John Muir Way turned north. At Canal Bridge 57 I watched a tourist attraction boat pass by, Seagull Trust Cruises. A small wave was in order to the cheerful passengers with their eyes scanning the views. Next came the views towards Hallglen District of Falkirk, on the far side of the railway followed by the very pleasant sight of a family of passing swans with a very young signet. I find the day is always more cheerful when I pass some swans. After Canal Bridge 60, B8028 and before Canal Bridge 61, a path rises steeply on the right to the B8028 main road very near the very high Canal Bridge 61 dated 1821, the last bridge on the day's walk. Here it is very well worth noting the sign under the bridge displaying 'Riches to Rags' and explains that while building the bridge the contractor from Falkirk went bust, thus, this is the reason why the 'greeting face' on the east side is happy whereas the 'greeting face' on the west side of the bridge is sad. I continued from the bridge for another 500 yards (metres) and reached the South Portal of the 630 metre (689 yards) long Falkirk Tunnel. The tunnel was poorly lit but I still decided to brave the dark, hoping I wouldn't meet anything travelling in the opposite direction, especially cyclists. There was a rail but the ground was very uneven, so great care was required. I did meet two pairs of people walking towards me but there weren't any problems. After the North Portal I soon reached a finger post showing me the way towards Falkirk High Railway Station and my parked car nearby. I drove to the Kelpies for a visit while I was so close as it started to rain. The rain didn't spoil the amazing spectacular sight. Another great day's walking along the Union Canal on my journey to John o' Groats and a not to be missed visit to the Kelpies. Highly recommended.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: at Linlithgow – High Port .
Finish: at Falkirk - High Railway Station .