| Hillhouseridge & Shotts Nature Park |
Pond dipping in Shotts Nature Park
  
Pond dipping in Shotts Nature Park
The pond near Hillhouseridge
Winter sunset at Hillhouseridge
Summary This Central Scotland Forest Trust owned nature park is within reach of both public transport and road links. Only a few minutes drive from the M8, it is suitable for short circular or longer walks.
Terrain
There are approximately 1.5km (0.9miles) of surfaced and 1.8km (1.1 miles) of natural, unimproved paths. The site has a moderate incline, the highest point being at Hillhouseridge.
Estimated Duration
Up to 2 hours can be spent exploring the nature park. However, your visit can be extended to half a day by walking the paths within Mossband Wood.
Local Facilities
There are public toilets, shops and places to eat in Shotts town centre, approximately 1km (0.6 miles) from the Deas Road entrance.
Accessing Shotts Nature Park
There are five entrances around the site. Suggested starting and finishing points for those travelling from outside the local area are either at Hillhouseridge or from Deas Road (track leading from Shottskirk Road). There is parking available at Hillhouseridge or in Shotts town centre, which is only a short walk from the Deas Road entrance.
Possible Routes and Available Paths
There are a variety of surface conditions including mown grass tracks, a 1m wide compacted soil and stone surfaced path to the top pond, a 1.8m wide stone and dust surfaced path on the main route through the site and a narrow wooden boardwalk at the lower pond. There is one small set of stairs between the nature park and Hillhouseridge. The site is mostly flat, however the main route towards Shotts Prison has a modest but sustained incline. Stout footwear is recommended.
Site Highlights
Hillhouseridge and Shotts Nature Park are two adjacent sites that lie to the north west of Shotts. Hillhouseridge a former farm, was purchased by CSFT in 1986 and the farmhouse is now the Trust's headquarters. Blocks of different tree species were planted shortly after acquisition and the new plantation woodland is now well-established with a range of mostly native species. Shotts Nature Park was created in 1990 by CSFT and the local community. The site was planted with over 7,000 trees, many by local school children. The Nature Park is bounded on one side by a disused railway line which used to transport coal to and from the mines in the area. Across both sites, you will see a variety of habitats including wetlands, ponds, wildflower meadows and thorn hedges. Great views of Shotts town, the Pentland Hills and Blacklaw wind farm can be seen on a clear day from the highest points. Getting There By Car: Shotts is in the heart of Central Scotland, just minutes from junctions 5 and 6 of the M8. By Bus: For information on local services call Traveline on 0870 6082608 By Rail: There is a train station at Shotts which is accessible from Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. It is possible to take your cycle on this route, but this should be confirmed in advance of your journey. Download a detailed leaflet on Hillhouseridge and Shotts Village Nature Park in a printable PDF. If you would like to comment on your visit or the information we've provided, you can contact us directly via: |
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