📌 Mid Calder, West Lothian
★★★
The River Almond flows through the heart of Livingston new town. On the downstream side of the centre, the river merges with the Linhouse Water and Murieston Water tributaries and enters the lovely wooded glen of Almondell. Criss-crossed by several bridges, this is a deservedly popular and happily unspoiled walking destination, and a path alongside a feeder stream for the Union Canal extends all the way to the 76 foot-high Lin’s Mill Aqueduct. A good route from which to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at any time of year (but not always the smells – there’s a sewage works and a poultry farm to contend with).
📷 Chronological photo guide
River Almond 
Riverside path 
The path follows a Union Canal feeder stream for much of the route 
Camp Viaduct 
Almondell Bridge 
Feeder stream 
Distant view of the aqueduct 
The riverbank below the aqueduct can be reached by a very steep detour 
Lin’s Mill Aqueduct 
River Almond from the aqueduct 
Union Canal 
Union Canal 
Road section 
Bridge in the country park 
West bank of the River Almond 
Snowdrops 
Return path
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Pumpherston Road (B8046), northeast side of Mid Calder
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 076678
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.894611,-3.477568
🚌 Bus to Mid Calder
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 100 m | ⌛ 3 hr
Features: 🌳 Almondell and Calderwood Country Park; 💧 River Almond; 🌉 Lin’s Mill Aqueduct ★★
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths, tracks and minor roads throughout, with mostly gentle gradients and some mud (easy route for the grade). Optional descent to foot of aqueduct is very steep with no formal path.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise lollipop circuit: start – enter Almondell and Calderwood Country Park – pass underneath Camp Viaduct – cross to east bank of River Almond at following footbridge – Almondell Bridge (do not cross) – Shiel Mill – Lin’s Mill Aqueduct – Muirend – Lookabootye – country park main entrance – Camp Viaduct by west bank – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Horses and sheep, grey wagtails, redwings and lots of dogs. Snowdrops and crocuses flowering.
Weather: 10°C with sunny intervals and light winds.
February 2021
