Walk distance : 6.5 miles
OS Map : Edinburgh
Difficulty rating : 0.5 out of 5
Walk Time : 3 hours
The weather in April was incredible, bright blue skies and warm temperatures throughout the whole month were ideal conditions for walking. May was a different story all together. Severe gales, rain and cold temperatures limited the chances of getting out and about somewhat, so I looked closer to home for a chance to stretch my legs.
I'm still a little unfamiliar with West Lothian so I'm constantly surprised by what it has to offer. I've been on a short walk around Almondell before without realising the full extent of the size of the park. I was chuffed to find there was a lot more to it than first thought.
The Lin's Mill walk starts at the car park in Mid Calder where you'll find a handy sign that maps out the park and the features along the way.
The route heads follows a cycle path off to the right and over a bridge before curving up some stairs to the left. The route then passes through some woods and passes a substantial weir on the River Almond. Unfortunately there is a sewage works on the right which ehm . . . spoils the ambience a wee bit. Fortunately the wind was blowing in correct direction so I didn't get a nostril full of it's wares.
You'll soon pass another weir that splits the River and a sluice which eventually (in part) forms the Union Canal. The route heads over a bridge, turning right, then heads between the sluice (on the left) and the River. Pretty soon you'll see a Viaduct. Head under the viaduct and over the metal bridge.
Keep following the path over the stone Naysmith Bridge (built in 1800 by Alexander Naysmith), there is an alternate route here that was blocked by fallen trees when I went so I crossed the bridge.
Soon the path passes an 18th century memorial for Sir Simon Fraser, who was also known as "The Patriot". Sir Fraser was captured fighting alongside Robert The Bruce and executed at the Tower of London, his head was reportedly displayed beside William Wallace's on London Bridge.
Follow the path on the North side and soon a small suspension bridge comes into view, cross over this and take the path that climbs back towards the sluice. Follow this route for a while, heading over the styles along the way
The sluice stays to the right and at times disappears underground for some parts of the section, but it's a straight path and you can't get lost.
There are various farms in the area so make sure you don't stray of course onto private land as there is a small risk of getting confused, stick to the sluice and you'll be fine.
Soon the Lin's Mill aqueduct comes into view, straddling high over the River Almond. The history of the aqueduct is a fairly colourful one. The builder was one William Lin, the last person to die of the plague in Scotland in 1645. Unfortunately for his poor wife, due to the nature of his death no-one would help bury his body so she had to drag his body into the woods and bury him herself. Lin's grave is in the woods above the mill, marked with a simple slab, coat of arms and this inscription "Here lyeth the dust of William Lin right heritor of Linsmiln who dies in the year of the lord 1645"
The path joins a minor road for a section, it then forks in two directions. You can follow either route, if you head down to the left you go under the aqueduct and come up the other side, which if you want to continue the walk is the correct side. Or if you head right you end up in the car park, both sides will let you venture out on to the aqueduct if you wish.
Once on the correct side of the canal follow it until you get to a stone bridge, head over the bridge and on to the road near a farm. Continue straight on the road until, after a kilometre or so, you'll see a sign for the Park pointing to the left. Follow the road until you reach the visitor centre then head between the two gate houses. The route then heads back the way you came.
All in all this is a very nice walk, really easy in every sense and dotted with interesting features along the way. It may not have the atmosphere of a walk in the highlands but don't let that put you off.
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