Witchcraig Wood
Summary
Witchcraig Wood lies 2 km (1.5 miles) east of the village of Torphichen in West Lothian. The Witchcraig Wall offers great 360º views and the Korean War Memorial is close by.
Terrain
There are approx. 0.5 km (0.3 miles) of surfaced, and an extensive network of unsurfaced, paths. The site is mostly flat with a short but steep climb on unsurfaced paths to the Witchcraig Wall, where the ground is uneven as it drops down to the Refuge Stone.
Estimated Duration
Around an hour can be spent exploring and enjoying the views. Your visit can be extended by taking the path that links into Beecraigs Country Park or by exploring nearby Cairnpapple Hill.
Local Facilities
There is a hotel and shop in Torphichen, with public toilets in Linlithgow, approx. 6km (4 miles) away.
Accessing Witchcraig Wood & Wall
Access to Witchcraig Wood is from the Korean War Memorial, 2km (1.5 miles) east of Torphichen. There is parking for approx. 6 cars at the Memorial.
Possible Routes and Available Paths
The paths around the War Memorial are firm and stable, about 1.4m wide and have a sealed surface. The unsurfaced paths are natural, narrow grass tracks. There is short circular route at the War Memorial with a longer route up to the Wall and beyond. A ladder stile has to be crossed to access the Wall. There are 2 benches and 2 picnic tables located on the War Memorial site.
Site Highlights
Enjoy the 360º panorama from the Witchcraig viewpoint, which offers a welcome resting place for walkers, where you can see an amazing vista from the Bass Rock in the east, to Arran in the west. The drystone wall contains 43 different types of rock collected from across Central Scotland, reflecting the geological diversity of the area. Look out for the Refuge Stone, reportedly marking the boundary of the land protected in mediaeval times by the Knights of St John Hospitaller, based in Torphichen. The War Memorial itself is a small wooden traditional Korean Pagoda, and the surrounding Korean Pine and Birch trees represent the killed and fallen in the conflict.
Getting There
By Car: From the A801, follow signs forTorphichen. From Torphichen, follow signs for Beecraigs Country Park. The entrance to Witchcraig is 2km (1.5 miles) east of the village.
By Bus: For information on options please call Traveline on 0870 608 2608.
The downloadable leaflet for this site is currently unavailable.
If you would like to comment on your visit or the information we've provided, you can contact us directly via:
Email: goexplore@csft.org.uk
Phone: 01501 822015
Or at our head office address at Central Scotland Forest Trust,
Hillhouseridge,
Shottskirk Road,
Shotts,
ML7 4JS
If you have recently visited the site, or have used this leaflet during your visit, please tell us about your experience. The link below will take you to a brief survey where you can record your views.
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