Linlithgow Bridge Woodland Wildlife Walk

This section of the River Avon Heritage Trail is much less walked than the section from Muiravonside Country Park and the canal aqueduct down to Linlithgow, but with less path users there is plenty of wildlife to spot. The walk starts on Linlithgow Bridge itself with a view over the Avon at its wide lower reaches.

Once you turn off the old Falkirk road, the trail takes you through some relatively recently planted woodland as you head around the edge of Lovell’s Glen on the edge of Linlithgow. You soon get close to the motorway and loop beneath it to get down to the river itself. Following the path alongside the river, you have a very good chance of seeing some interesting wildlife on this quiet stretch of the Avon. A grey heron flying overhead, Kingfishers darting across the water with a flash of blue, roe deer grazing through the woodland throughout the day – there could well be a lot to see! There have been reports of otters in this section of the Avon, and one of our trail cameras set up by the water’s edge caught a badger trotting along a well-worn track. Mature trees on the riverbank side show signs of badger habitation, so if you come for a walk here at dawn or dusk, especially during the summer months, you might be in with a good chance of a sighting. The trail loops around another section of young woodland and rejoins itself for the return up to the road.

Follow the link to Komoot for a more detailed map and photos, and see our trail highlights below.
Trail Highlights – What You’ll See
    • The remains of an old mill building can be seen across the river from the path before the river bends north-westwards, by the confluence with the Fishers’ Brae burn. Fishers’ Brae was supposedly used to transport fresh fish from Bo’ness on the Forth up to Linlithgow, hence the name.

 

    • At the top of a gentle slope on the river path is a bench in a nice spot to have a wee rest and enjoy the view. A wee path down to the water from here lets you have a good look at the river and the cliffs on the far bank. This bench also marks where the circular section of the trail rejoins itself.

 

 

    • Returning through the open field section by the river, there are views across to Cockleroy, Linlithgow’s local hill which boasts an excellent view over the Forth Valley.

 

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