Linlithgow 5 September

Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert

As scheduled, we met at Harthill services before continuing to Linlithgow for our walk. Different parking spots were found, some in the car park next to the fire station and some on the Bo’ness road, but we soon assembled and started our customary clockwise journey round the loch. After ten minutes, fleeces came off and shirt sleeves were to the order of the day as the temperature was pleasantly warm and there were blue skies overhead. The Palace was looking good in the late summer/early autumn sunshine, quite a contrast to our last visit in March 2105 when conditions were misty, although they did improve later on.
Having circled the loch, we made our way up the main street for a photo-shoot at the fountain and then climbed up to the canal basin where we stopped for a leisurely coffee break. Some of our discussion centred on the recent news that part of the canal system was to be closed due to insufficient funds to keep it weed-free. Speaking to a couple of canal boaters, they confirmed that weeds were an issue. It seems crazy that after spending the money a number of years ago to clear the canals and open them up, money for regular maintenance has gone. Shades of the River Ayr walk!
Anyway, the walk along the canal (part of the John Muir Way) to the Avon Aqueduct was straightforward and at a sensible pace, and as we walked we could indeed see how the weeds were impacting on the canal. Lunch was taken on the steps down to the Heritage Trail, and again we took our time and enjoyed the conditions. The walk along the trail back to the viaduct at Linlithgow seemed to take no time at all and we emerged into the houses. A debate took place as whether to turn right or left into Mill Road, but we went left and then right up Falkirk Road and back to the cars which were reached at twenty-past two, exactly the same time as three years ago.
Eight miles or so and about three and a half hours were today’s details. Conditions made this a very enjoyable day out rounded off by FRT back at the Kings in Fenwick, having decided to try and miss the worst of the motorway traffic.

Approaching the aqueduct, weeds narrowing the canal width

Don't fall in!

Step brothers

What was this in the loch, Alan?