📌 Livingston, West Lothian
★★
This pleasant linear route traces the River Almond all the way from Mid Calder to Blackburn, passing through the surprisingly green Almondvale in the heart of Livingston. The first half is essentially an urban walk – though an agreeably leafy one as a result of thoughtful planning by Livingston’s architects – with options to break for refreshment at a vast shopping centre or at the Livingston Inn. The riverside path then passes the fringes of Almond Valley heritage centre, complete with assorted farm animals, before escaping into the countryside for the last few miles. A frequent bus service conveniently connects the start and finish – or you could double the distance by retracing your steps, perhaps varying the route slightly by switching banks in Livingston (river banks, not the financial kind).
📷 Chronological photo guide
River Almond near Mid Calder 
A899 underpass 
Calder Park Road bridge 
River Almond at The Centre shopping mall 
Bridge at The Centre 
Riverside footpath in Livingston 
Livingston village 
River Almond after Livingston Village 
Alpacas at the Almond Valley heritage centre 
Weir near the heritage centre 
View from Simpson Parkway bridge 
Almond Pool East 
Path beyond Livingston 
River Almond near Seafield 
River Almond near Seafield 
Weir beyond Seafield
🌍 Location
📌 Start on Market Street (B7015), Mid Calder village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 074676
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.892840,-3.482558
🏁 Finish on East Main Street (A705), east end of Blackburn
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 994655
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.872228,-3.609202
🚌 Bus to Mid Calder (walk start), & from Blackburn (walk finish)
🚗 Street parking (walk finish) – take the regular bus to the start
📝 Key info
▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 150 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr | ⚠️ Linear route
Features: 💧 River Almond; 🛒 Livingston shopping centres; 🐮 Almond Valley heritage centre
⬤ Easy | Level paths – mostly tarmac in Livingston but unsurfaced elsewhere. Muddy sections beyond Livingston Village.
Download file for GPS➡️ Westbound linear walk: start – cross to River Almond north bank at 🧭 NT 072677 – cross to south bank at 🧭 NT 062673 – Livingston shopping centres – cross to north bank at 🧭 NT 052669 – Almond Valley heritage centre – cross to south bank at B7015 bridge – cross to north bank near Seafield – Happy Valley Road – finish
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Grey squirrels, swans, goosanders, tufted ducks, mallards, little grebes, goldfinches, robins & other small birds. Alpacas, horses, donkeys & sheep at the heritage centre.
Weather: 1°C & frosty to start, a little cloud building.
April 2021
