Day 51 (29.9 miles)

West Linton to Linlithgow

Now that I’m fully warmed up I thought it was time I broke out some longer stages. So what better way to start than this near 30mile epic.

Climbing out of West Linton was a good way to get the blood pumping early on. I’d managed to get breakfast at 7:30, so was out before 8am.

The first order of the day was to climb through the Pentland Hills – the last range of border hills before the industrial lowlands. Walking through them on the ancient droving route, called ‘Thieves Road’, reminded me of walking across Rannock Moor a few years ago whilst tackling the West Highland Way (WHW). Cracking scenery, but the sun was in the wrong place for a decent photo.

After about 8 miles, I crossed the A70 and started the climb up Corston Hill, with trig (348m). My guidebook said this would be the highlight of the day, because once at the top you could see all the way across Edinburgh, with Arthur’s Seat prominent on the horizon. It was true the view was fantastic and even better, it wasn’t really windy.

I descended towards the outskirts of Livingston and the banks of the River Almond. Following the river through the ‘Almondell & Calderwood Country Park’ gave me very little sense of the the largest town in West Lothian and industrial landscape around me.

For mile upon mile I followed a canal feeder channel that feeds the Union canal from the River Almond (by the time it reaches the canal at Lin’s Mill aqueduct the river is 76ft beneath the canal).

Once I’d reached the canal and crossed the aqueduct I was assured of no more climbing or map reading for the day. (There are no locks between the aqueduct and Linlithgow). All I had to do was follow the canal.

Along the way I passed beneath the M8, another significant watershed. Then passed the massive ‘shale bings’ – spoil heaps left after oil extraction.

When I eventually got to my B&B, miles from anywhere. I decided to order a pizza delivery to avoid the 3 mile walk to town & back.

Some stats:
Mileage count: 898.8
Pint count: 190
economy: 37.8mpg
Malt Whisky count: 11