📌 Newbridge, City of Edinburgh / West Lothian
★★
Between Edinburgh and Livingston the Union Canal encounters an awkward topographical barrier in the form of a steep-sided glen, carved into Lothian farmland by the River Almond. Lin’s Mill aqueduct was constructed in the early 1820s to span this obstacle, completing a navigable link by water between the capital and Falkirk (there are two other major aqueducts elsewhere on the waterway). You don’t need a canal boat to admire the excellent views of the river 76 feet below, thanks to towpaths and a convenient car park; alternatively, walk from Almondell and Calderwood Country Park. If you’re feeling brave, carefully scramble down to river level to gaze at the massive stone arches from underneath.
🌍 Location
📌 Off Clifton Road, 2 mi southwest of Newbridge
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 105706
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.920322,-3.434011
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park at 🧭 NT 106705 / 🛰️ 55.919803,-3.432650 – accessed by unsurfaced, potholed track
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 To view the aqueduct from below (⬤ Moderate), descend the steps at the west end of the car park, cross the track and follow one of the very steep, informal paths (care needed) through trees down to the riverbank (5-min each way).
