Linlithgow 18 March

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

Ghostly view across the loch

Rogues gallery

That's tea sorted then!

Where did all the slates go?

Idyllic canal scene if it wasn't for the two old codgers

Walking back across the aqueduct

The Avon viaduct

Having assembled at Harthill Services we followed Jimmy into Linlithgow, not before missing the correct turn-off though. Blame the navigator! Nevertheless, Bathgate looks particularly stunning at this time of year! The car parks were full so we parked on the Bo’ness road and set off for the path circling the loch. This we did clockwise and afforded us good views of the Palace in the hazy morning air. The weather was to stay good for the day with various layers being discarded at regular intervals.

There were lots of anglers on the loch, but the one who was in the loch entertained us royally by catching a large trout as we passed – eat your heart out, Alan! As we reached the Palace, Gus and Johnny decided to use ‘their’ Historic Scotland cards and go in for a look, whilst the rest of us treated ourselves to coffee on the picnic benches.

From there it was across the main road and up to the Union Canal, where we were greeted by a Canal Warden who obliged us by taking a group photo. ‘Honestly, Mister, we did behave ourselves and stayed off the grass! Other substances were taken!’ We headed in a westerly direction, enjoying the weak spring sunshine, looked down longingly at Linlithgow Academy (aye right!) and spotted the flare-off at Grangemouth in the distance and the stack of Longannet. By one o’clock, having spent some time on the John Muir Way which takes in part of the canal towpath, we had reached the furthest point of the day’s walk i.e. The Avon Aqueduct, and having crossed over, just for the hell of it, we retraced our steps and had another wee break on the steps going down to the River Avon Walk (Avon meaning River, and River meaning, well, River).

The riverside walk was followed back towards Linlithgow and gave us a great view of the railway viaduct as we passed underneath. We reached the cars at two-twenty and decided to head back to the Kings in Fenwick for FRT, passing up the opportunity to visit the Black Bitch as we did so. Your scribe decides that discretion is the better part of valour and makes no further comment.