Photographs, route description and map of Almondell Country Park near Livingston in the central belt of Scotland

Visitor Centre at Almondell Country Park

Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is secluded

in the valley of the River Almond

covering 220 acres between Broxburn and East Calder.

Based around two adjoining estates

( Almondell at 97 acres and Calderwood at 130 acres )

and with a history going back 340 million years

to the time of the Carboniferous swamps,

this area has much to offer its visitors.

Left undeveloped and unspoilt, Calderwood

is a complete contrast to Almondell.

This natural woodland, located on a plateau

bounded by the Linhouse and Murieston Waters,

is home to a wealth of wildlife.

Roe deer, fox, heron and woodpecker all make their homes here,

while the many oak and hazel trees provide food

for the squirrels and wood mice.

For this reason Calderwood has been designated

a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Archway in Almondell Country Park

This rustic shelter sits below one of the arches

of the Camps Viaduct in Almondell Country Park.

When the viaduct was undergoing restoration work in 1997,

concerns were raised that debris might fall on walkers using the path below.

The shelter was built to offer a degree of protection against such incidents.

It has remained in place since then.

Map of Avondell Country Park

Route Map of walk around

Avondell and Calderwood Country Park

ALMONDELL & CALDERWOOD COUNTRY PARK - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:

Location: West Lothian
Help: OS Landranger B5 or Explorer 350
Distance: 6 miles / 10km
Time: 3-4 hours
Terrain: Easy valley walk

Tucked away in the West Lothian hinterland, not far from Livingston, the Almondell and Calderwood Country Park offers a surprisingly good outing. The park is made up of two distinct areas. Almondell, once the home of the famous advocate Henry I Erskine, has the appearance of a designed landscape. Erskine's brother David, Earl of Buchan, was a noted amateur astronomer and at his home, Kirkhill House, created an amazing model of the solar system. At its heart was an ‘astronomical pillar’ outside the park visitor centre, covcrcd with Latin inscriptions.
Further down the valley you pass the Nasmyth Bridge, built in 1800 to a design by Alexander Nasmyth, better known as a painter. His most famous work is his portrait of Robert Burns in the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. The aqueduct crossing the river was built in 1820 during the construction of the Union Canal, to act as a feeder to the canal. The Victorian railway viaduct dates from 1835 and served the quarry, mine, limeworks and brickworks at Camps and shale oil works at Pumpherston and Uphall. The line closed in 1956.
The path crosses the river by the Pipe Bridge, built in 1960 to carry pipes to the East Calder sewage works.
In time you enter Calderwood. This part of the park has a different character. The area is an SSSI with some beautiful ancient woodland.
It is a shock to reach the ever-busy A71 but fortunately the road is soon left on a footpath that leads back towards the village of East Calder.
Facilities here include a good pub, The Grapes, two coffee shops and several food stores.
The ﬁnal part of the walk is back in Almondell, above the river passing through woodland for a kilometre before dropping down to cross the suspension bridge. Ahead is the boundary of the former walled garden of Almondell House.

Route:

From the north car park follow the path to the road towards the visitor centre.
At the Nasmyth Bridge, take the riverside path |past an aqueduct and under the railway viaduct.
Cross the river by the Pipe Bridge ( NCFI sign ) and continue on the far bank to a road.
Turn left.
At the junction. cross and go right and then left into Calderwood.
Cross ihe bridge and keep left, following signs for Oakbank.
At the far end of the wood, turn left before a road tunnel, then go right up steps and left along the path by the A71 to the Oakbank car park.
Continue along the road for 100m then turn left on a path signed for East Calder.
It becomes a road. Continue to a T-junction, tum left and walk down to Main Street
Turn right and in 400m turn left through a high archway ( NCP75 sign ) to re-enter Almondell.
Where the path curves right by a seat and liner bin, go right on a path that stays high.
Follow it to eventualy go down some steps and cross the Nelson Mandela Bridge.
Walk up to the road and ‘turn right back to the car park.