Central Scotland Forest Attractions And Places Of Interest
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- Abbotshaugh Community Woodland. River Carron, wading birds. From B902 Falkirk to Stenhousemuir into Bainsford, into David's Loan to end, access by foot.
- Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston Village, West Lothian, 01506 414957. Explore West Lothian's history and environment. Exhibits, working farm, watermill, narrow-gauge railway. 2m from M8 J3 -follow signs.
- Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, Broxburn, West Lothian, 01506 882254. Woodland walks, wildlife, picnics. Signposted off A89, 2m S of Broxburn (disabled parking).
- Auchinstarry Climbing Quarry, nr Kilsyth 01236 828150. Rock climbs, pond. Off roundabout on B802 between Croy & A803 (Kilsyth).
- Avonbank/Linlithgow Bridge. A803 onto B825 towards Whitecross, park opposite Bridge Inn, cross over, walk west 300yds, access through gate.
- Banknock Access Network. Pathways to the Forth & Clyde Canal. A803, left opposite Glenshirlie House Hotel, head to canal. Park at Wyndford Loch, access opposite.
- Baron's Haugh RSPB Reserve, South of Motherwell. Nature reserve, birdwatching. Close to M74 J6.
- Beecraigs Country Park, nr Linlithgow, West Lothian, 01506 844516. Woodland walks, cycleways, wildlife, fishing, picnics. M9 J3 from E/J4 from W, A803 to Linlithgow; M8 J3a, A89 to BAthgate, B792 to Torphichen, follow signs.
- Black Moss Village Nature Park. Woodlands and ponds. A "health walk". At main junction in Armadale (A89/B8084), onto South St (B8084), right at Bowling Club sign, entrance on right.
- Blackness Catle. Impressive 15th century stone courtyard fortress. Head for & through Blackness village from M9, A904, A903.
- Broxburn Community Woodland. Stunning views over Livingston to the Pentland Hills. A89 to Broxburn, onto West Main St, onto Clarkson Rd then Galloway Cres, entrance at end.
- Callendar House, Park & Wood. Falkirk, 01324 503770. 600 years of Scottish history, lodges, mausoleum, Roman Antonine Wall, pond. To SE of Falkirk, signed from town Centre
- Candie Farm, by Maddiston. A801 Bathgate to Falkirk Rd, opposite Muiravonside Country Park, car park 1m on right.
- Carron Glen. Woodland walk, picnic and children's play areas. B818 from Denny, .5m on right.
- Coltness/North Branchal Woods. A721 Main St, Wishaw, right onto Dryburgh Rd, right onto North Dryburgh Rd, right onto Lady's Gate, left onto Coltness Rd, left onto Lyman Dr, park on street, access via playpark.
- Dalzell House & Estate Motherwell, 01698 862862. Temple, arboretum, Japanese gardens, Covenanters Oak, churchyard, pets' cemetary. Off B754 from A721. Parking/entrance in Dalzell Ave.
- Denny Access Network. Path network around Denny, Chasefield Woods, Wellsfield, Headswood, River Carron, Herbertshire. Suitable for walkers, horses, mountain bikers. Various car parks, signed from town centre.
- Drumbowie Village Nature Park, Standburn.Wetland habitat. From Bowhouse roundabout on A801 take B825 to Standburn. Park halfway through village on right.
- Drumpellier Country Park, Coatbridge. 2 Lochs. Off A752 into McKinlay Cres, right onto Townhead Rd.
- Easter Breich. Walk by Breich Water to the River Almond. A71 to West Calder Main St, turn down hill at lights at bank, under bridge then sharp right, veer left onto B7015 Stoneyburn / Fauldhouse Rd, over bridge, entrance opposite cottages.
- Easter Dunsyston/Gimmerscroft/Dunsiston Road. Series of surfaced and grassed paths and quiet lanes. Bridge over the Clattering Burn. M8 J6, go 1.5m to NE. From Newhouse roundabout, take Salsburgh exit, 1st left, then left and right into Roughrigg Rd. Parking at Roughrigg Angling car park (report to angling hut).
- Easter Glentore. Farm with B&B. Signed from A&3/B903 junction, 3m from A73 through Greengairs.
- Eastfield Community Woodland. By Eastfield Village on B717, 1.5m from M8 J5.
- Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, 01324 619888. The world's only rotating boatlift connecting the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. Visitor Centre. Follow signs from M9 J8 onto M876, take J1; M80 J5 onto M876, take 1st exit; M9 J9 to Denny (A872), left at T junction (A883).
- Fallside Nature Park.Mosaic, infilled Victorian quarry. Off New Edinburgh Rd, .5m W of A725 (Bellshill Bypass) exit at Esso services.
- Forth Access Network. Park opposite Mansewood Hotel or at Upper Throughburn Woodland, .5m SW of Forth on A706.
- Garrion Gill. Gorge, nature reserve. 1m NE of Garrion Bridge over R Clyde. Path from B7011 Law Rd .5m W of Law village.
- Glenboig Nature Park. Loch. 1m E of M73 J2a, right at junction of A752, right onto B804.
- Greenhead Moss. 01698 266155. "Health Walk". A neighbourhood park with routes to explore Perchy Pond, the moss, stratographic stairway and a range of open and woodland habitats. Parking off Creamery Road, Wishaw. .5m S of Wishaw Cross.
- Hardhill Wood/Bathville Junction, east of Armadale. Great views to the Bathgate Hills. Cairns created by Scottish Scout troops to commemorate the Millennium. From A89 left into Speedway car park, access via gateway.
- Jupiter Project, Wood Street, Grangemouth. 01324 494974. Scotland's largest wildlife gardens. Nursery, arts and crafts, children's activities. M9 J5 to Grangemouth, right at roundabout onto B9132, entrance .5m on left.
- Kilsyth. Explore town - signed from Auchinstarry Quarry. Includes Drumbeck Nature Reserve, Garrion Burn, Colzium Estate, Barnton Loch. Park at Colzium House. Off A803, .5m E of town centre.
- Kingshill Community Woodland. A number of hilly routes in and around maturing woodland. Explore the tracks in Dura Forest and the paths of Brow Farm & Kingshill Plantation. A71 to Allanton Church, turn into Kingshill Rd, right onto Wilson Rd, entrance at end.
- Kinneil Woods. Mature woodlands, walks, ponds, grassy areas, Kinneil House, suitable for mountain bikes, horses (permit required). M9 J5 onto B9143, then A905 to Bo'ness for 5m, right for Kinneil House, right into park. Park adjacent to museum.
- Limerigg Wood. Extensive conifer woodland. From Falkirk take B803 to Slamannan then B8022 to Limerigg. Enter at Post Office gate.
- Linlithgow Palace. Magnificent 15th century Royal fortress encasing 12th century castle. Great hall, chapel, courtyard, loch. In Linlithgow town centre, off Kirkgate, beside loch.
- Little Boghead Village Nature Park. Knoll, ponds, woodland above the Union Canal. From Bathgate take B7002 to Whitburn, right into Whiteside Industrial Est, entrance on right.
- Muiravonside Country Park. 01506 845311. Walks, nature trails, picnics, visitor centre, refreshments. Links to River Avon and Union Canal. 170 acres, disused mine shaft, aqueduct. 3m SW of Linlithgow on B825.
- North Calder Heritage Trail, Hillend Reservoir to Summerlee Heritage Park. 01236 780636. 11 mile walk, suitable for mountain bikes, although some steps. Parking at Hillend Reservoir, Summerlee, Faskine Community Woodland, (a base from which to walk the Monkland Canal and explore the South Airdrie Path Network). Signed from A89 & A73.
- Palacerigg Country Park, near Cumbernauld, 01236 720047. Children's farm, archery, wildlife collection, nature trails, cycling, picnic areas, golf, cafe, gift shop. From A73 bear left onto B8039 for .5m, right onto Hulks Rd for 1.5m. Signposted from town centre.
- Petersburn, Airdrie. Walk to North Calder Heritage Trail & North Calder Water. .5m E from A73. Park on Varnstof Way, paths either side of Barra Dr.
- Plains to Hillend Reservoir. Comprising Plains Countryside Park, Hillend, Lilly Loch, Hillend Reservoir, Airdrie/Bathgate Cycleway. In Plains, take Jarvie Ave, right onto McLelland Dr, right onto A89 Main St for 2.5m.
- Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, West Lothian, 01501 743905. Walks, wildlife, play areas, golf, floodlit driving range, picnics, bowling green, restaurant, bar. On N side of B7066, between Whitburn & Harthill & J4 & J5 of M8.
- Polmont Woods. Mature woodland. Suitable for walkers, horses (permit required), mountain bikes. M9 J5 onto A905, first right to Polmont/Inchyra Grange Hotel, up hill to sharp right, turn left for 300yds, park on right.
- Roughcastle Access Network. Circular walks on former opencast site with links to the Falkirk Wheel. Includes Roughcastle Roman Fort, Falkirk Wheel, Antonine Wall, Roughcastle Community Woodland (Tamfourhill). Parking at Falkirk Wheel and Tamfourhill. Park at Falkirk Wheel & Tamfourhill (B816).
- Shotts Nature Park. From B7010 Main St, Shotts onto Station Rd, left onto Shottskirk Road, into CSFT HQ on left, entrance on exit driveway.
- South Falkirk. Path network around Lionthorn & Hallglen. Links to Union Canal at Hallglen and throughout Callendar Estates via woodlands, burns and streams. Circular route for walkers, horses, mountain bikers. B803 to Lionthorn, follow signs to Bantaskine Country Park, access opposite entrance.
- Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell. 01698 266155. Walks, wildlife, picnics, refreshments, fishing, horseriding, cycling, mountain biking, running, orienteering, football, hockey, boating, windsurfing, water-skiing. Signed from A74 J5 & 6.
- Summerlee Heritage Park, Coatbridge, 01236 431261. Original ironworks, electric tramway, machinery, period rooms, addit mine, miners' cottages, tearoom, gift shop. Signed from A89 & A73.
- Torbothie. Health Walk. From B7010 Main St, Shotts, left onto Torbothie Rd, right onto Tulloch Rd, left onto Cemetary Rd. Park at Cemetary, entrance on left.
- Twechar Wood. Antonine Wall, military road, Roman fort. Entrance on Twechar village Main St, 2m SW of Kilsyth. Off B8023 & B8048.
- West Forth Community Woodland. Woodland walk, buzzards, otters, birds. By Forth village on A706, enter at Lea Rig kissing gate.
- Wilsontown - The Glen. A burnside woodland with rocky outcrops, knolls, hollows, grass play area. Remains of Wilsontown ironwork nearby. M8 J4 onto A801, at roundabout take A706 to Lanark, onto B7016 then first left, parkon right.
- Witchcraig Wood & Riding Area. Scottish Korean War Memorial, "Refuge Stone". Climb to Geological Wall. In Bathgate Hills, 1.5m E of Torphichen.
- Lenzie Moss. A circular walk of 2.25km. From B757 turn left into Hawthorn, Fern or Heath Avenues for entrance to the site.
- Merklands local Nature Reserve. A mosaic of woodlands, wetland and grassland with level paths developed on a former colliery site. From B8048 Kirkintilloch turn onto Merklands Road.
- Twechar Wood and Bar Hill. Family woodland walk to interesting historical sites including an excavated Roman Fort, Antonine Wall and an Iron Age Fort. Phone 0141 956 6586 for directions
- Campsie Glen. A short but steep walk suitable for families with older children. Enter at the rear of the craft centre at Clachan of Campsie off the A891
