West Lothian walking week Explore West Lothian’s beautiful landscape and learn about the county’s wonderful history. West Lothian Council delivers welcome... to the 2010 West Lothian Walking Week Just 30 minutes walking a day can make a dramatic difference to your health and wellbeing. Walking is an accessible and inclusive form of physical activity, which can also be very sociable and easily fitted into people’s daily lives. What better way to get out and about than by enjoying the beautiful scenery which West Lothian has to offer. Whether you are an experienced walker or a total beginner, West Lothian Walking Week offers you the chance to explore beautiful landscape, learn about the area’s history, make new friends and take some important strides towards improving your health. Best of all, most of the guided walks and activities are absolutely free! You can enjoy a variety of walks from country parks to the woodlands, along canals and into nature reserves. The walks cover a range of times throughout the day, so simply book your walk and go! Quality greenspace contributes to feelings of wellbeing and it’s right on our doorstep! We have kept some of the popular walks from last year’s event and have added others we think you will enjoy. Booking this year is essential and you can register onto a walk by contacting: tel: 01506 775626 or email: [email protected] Visit www.travelinescotland.com to work out your route from any location in Scotland. In just a few minutes, the journey planner will find the quickest and easiest way for you to reach your destination. Information is available in Braille, tape, large print and community languages. Please contact the Interpretation and Translation Service on 01506 775000. monday 20 september Launch of West Lothian Walking Week Time: 10 - 11am Venue: Civic Centre Alex Linkston, West Lothian Council’s Chief Executive will launch the 2010 West Lothian Walking Week at the Civic Centre. Everyone is welcome to the launch and the walk afterwards, however booking is essential. Civic Centre Walk 1 Time: 10.45 - 11.45am Distance: 5 km / 3 miles Start: Civic Centre, Livingston Leaving from the Civic Centre, we will walk alongside the River Almond before cutting on to a path that leads us towards Craigshill as far as the Rugby Club. We will then head back along the river path as far as Livingston Football Club stadium and finish at the civic centre main entrance. Kids Woodland Walk 2 Led by Hopetoun House Ranger Service Time: 2 - 3.30pm Distance: 1 km / 0.6 miles Start: Hopetoun Gate House If you require transport, this will be provided from the Civic Centre to Hopetoun House and back. Please book to avoid disappointment. Join the Ranger as we search Hopetoun’s woods for tracks and signs of the animals that live there. We will search for animal homes and also carry out a mini beast hunt! Suitable for families with primary school aged children. Please bring suitable footwear. Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks monday 20 september Blawhorn Moss 3 Led by Armadale Together for Health Time: 3 - 4pm Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles Start: Blackridge, Craig Inn car park The walk takes participants along the main road pavement and cuts up to a country path to be rewarded with stunning views from the Blackridge Moss. The ground is uneven in places and there are a few slopes, however the walk is suitable for beginners and will be taken at a moderate pace. Middleton Hall, Broxburn 4 Led by Put your West Foot Forward Time: 6 - 6.45pm Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles Start: Strathbrock Partnership Centre Leaving from Strathbrock Community Centre we will take a path to the rear of the building and head out towards Holmes Park, cross the Brox Burn and then walk through a wooded area up to Loaninghill Road. We cross the road and enter another wooded area where there’s usually squirrels to be spotted! From there we take a circular route around the houses and past Middleton Hall, returning to the finish point at Strathbrock Community Centre. To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626 tuesday 21 september Polkemmet Woodland 5 Led by Ageing Well Time: 10 - 11.30am Distance: Will vary depending on level in attendance and speed of the walker. Start: Xcite Whitburn Leisure Centre Target age: Over 50s Meeting at Xcite Whitburn Leisure Centre we will have a short walk along the Main Street and head out into Polkemmet Country Park for a walk around the park grounds. Primarily this will be a woodland walk which may have some uneven surfaces in places. Suitable for beginners or regular walkers. The Glen, Armadale 6 Led by Put your West Foot Forward Time: 10am Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles Start: Community Centre, Armadale This walk takes in part of the ‘Glen’ in Armadale. The route goes through a couple of housing estates, along a core path past the garden centre and winds its way back to the Community Centre. It is a fairly level walk with one small descent and ascent past the garden centre. There are lovely views, looking over towards Falkirk, the Ochil Hills and beyond. Howden Riverside 7 Led by Put your West Foot Forward Time: 10am Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles Start: Craigsfarm, Craigshill Easy walk on fairly flat, well maintained paths. The walk goes around Howden Park, behind the new Civic Centre and then follows the River Almond back towards Craigshill. Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks tuesday 21 september Kids’ History Walk – 8 Linlithgow Loch Led by Historic Scotland Ranger Service Time: 11am - 1pm Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles Start: Linlithgow Palace car park Walk around Linlithgow Loch for primary age children with adults. With interactive historical activities along the way. Flat but uneven and occasionally muddy paths – dress appropriately. Not suitable for those with restricted mobility. Broxburn Community 9 Woodland Led by West Lothian Council Ranger Service Time: 1.30 - 3pm Distance: 3.3 km / 2 miles Start: Broxburn Academy Get on the move in Broxburn and enjoy the views as we explore this growing community woodland. Find out about Artlink’s Kirkhill Pillar Project from the sun shining on Broxburn Academy to the red planet of Mars on the hill. We’ll be stepping out looking for wildlife and sharing history on route. Paths & tracks with some uphill. Binny Craig Geology Walk 10 Led by Oatridge College Staff Time: 5.30 - 7pm Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles Start: Oatridge College main car park This walk will start in the extensively landscaped grounds of Oatridge College following the national lowland path demonstration site onto open farmland of Oatridge College. From here the ground steepens until we reach the top of Binny Craig with its panoramic views of the Forth valley. Exploring the Binny Craig Regionally Important Geological Site the walk will also take in geological features such as baked margins of Binny Craig sill and feeder dyke. To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626 wednesday 22 september Hopetoun’s Access Routes 11 Led by Hopetoun House Ranger Service Time: 10am - 12 noon Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles Start: Hopetoun Gate House If you require transport, this will be provided from the Civic Centre to Hopetoun House and back. Please book to avoid disappointment. Enjoy a circular walk examining the free access routes around Hopetoun including the entrance drive, Fallow Deer Park and West Lothian’s Shoreline. Suitable for able adults and families with primary to secondary school aged children. Please bring suitable footwear. Almond Park, Livingston 12 Led by Community Greenspace Officer and Community Inclusion Team Time: 12.30 - 2pm Distance: 3 km / 2 miles Start: Car park at Livingston Rugby Club, Craigshill, Livingston Discover the delights of this hidden gem in this lunchtime walk with the Greenspace Officer and the Community Inclusion Team. Our circular walk will take us through this extensive park, exploring its woodland and the banks of the River Almond. Most paths are surfaced and mostly flat, but with some moderate slopes. Suitable for all able to walk 3km at adult walking pace. Please wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on all walks wednesday 22 september River Avon & Union Canal 13 Towpath Led by Central Scotland Forest Trust Time: 2 - 3.30pm Distance: 6 km / 3.6 miles Start: Outside Linlithgow Leisure Centre Enjoy a circular walk from Linlithgow Bridge along the River Avon Heritage Trail to the Aqueduct at Muiravonside and return by the Union Canal towpath. Hear about the built environment and natural heritage of the local area. There are muddy, uneven and steep sections on this route. Not suitable for those with restricted mobility. Blackmoss Nature Park 14 Led by Armadale Together for Health Time: 4.30 - 5.30pm Distance: 3.2 km / 2 miles Start: Armadale Academy This walk is suitable for beginners and will be taken at a moderate pace. It is a pleasant walk to the leafy Blackmoss Nature Park. Join us to take a look at the former curling pond and catch a glimpse of some of the area’s features and inhabitants. To book any of these walks please phone 01506 775626 wednesday 22 september Eliburn Park and 15 Woodland Walk Led by WLC Greenspace Officer & Woodland Trust Time: 5.30 – 7pm Distance: 3 km / 2 miles Start: Eliburn Park Pavilion, Houstoun Road, Livingston Experience the old and the new in a leisurely walk around Eliburn Park and Livingston Old Wood – and test out the Woodland Trust’s new mobile phone tour.