[1] Start walk at the south entrance of Almondell Country Park which is located on the B7015 at the east end of East Calder village (Main Street). Pass under the ivy arch at the park lodge house, taking a look at the Country Park & Scottish Tourist information boards on the right. The surfaced road descends through woods to cross the River Almond @ the Nasmyth Bridge. Continue to the Park Visitor Centre.
(A) Nasmyth Bridge : Designed by Scottish artist & garden designer Alexander Nasmyth. Built around 1800. Constructed in sandstone the bridge has featured in many of Nasmyths paintings & drawings. Is now an "A" listed building.
(B) Almondell Country Park Visitor Centre : Formerly used as Coach House & Stables the Centre provides information on what to see & do in the surrounding countryside. Excellent conservatory to relax with light refreshment available. WC & Children's play area. Open April - Oct 9am to 5pm Nov - March 10am to 4pm.
[2] Leave Visitor Centre past WC block. Turn right to cross Suspension Bridge. Continue on unsurfaced path which follows the canal feeder, crossing stiles & through kissing gates. Note : path over this section can be very muddy after wet weather. Climb steep steps & turn left on to minor road at top. Progress under the canal aqueduct arch, turn right and climb the steep steps onto the Union Canal tow path.Turn right.
(C) The Suspension Bridge was built by the Royal Engineers in 1970. It was renamed Nelson Mandella Bridge in 1985.
(D) Canal Feeder : Built between 1818 - 1823 it diverts water from a weir in the River Almond to the canal at Lin's Mill, a distance of 3 miles. Tunneled in 4 places, Burke & Hare are reputed to have been amongst the labour force.
(E) Lin's Mill Aqueduct : The Union Canal was opened in 1822 as a direct inland route to connect Edinburgh with Glasgow via Falkirk. The main impetus for the canal being built was the transportation of coal. Its closure to commercial traffic in the 1930's was due to the competition from the railways.
[3] Cross the Aqueduct and continue along the Union Canal tow path for about two miles, passing under several bridges, including the railway and the motorway. Just before bridge No.23 (Ryal Bridge) opposite a canal basin and some cottages, at a finger post with four arms, one pointing south to Park, bear right up a lane past Learielaw Farm, then turn left and cross over the bridge. Continue under M8 motorway bridge and railway bridge.
The only way to get through the railway bridge is on the road, which has been narrowed to a single track. Beyond the bridge the road swings to the right, creating a blind corner. Exercise extreme caution here.
Immediately after the railway bridge turn right and take the road to Roman Camps. Pass the village of Roman Camps onto the unsurfaced path, keeping the rail track on your right. After 1.5 miles at the "T" junction turn sharp left away from the railway tracks onto a disused railway track running in a south easterly direction.
[4] Continue along the old railway path, mainaining a south easterly direction passing wildlife pond (left) & under road bridge. Follow sign posts at various intervals in the direction of Camp Viaduct, Almondell, East Calder. Cross the Camp Viaduct passing over the River Almond and continue on to Main Street, East Calder, a few yards west of the starting point.