Falkirk Wheel to Linlithgow

Family Friendly Rating:     89%


DISTANCE                                  EST. TIME [Excl breaks]                                     CALORIES
  24 Miles                                                 3.5 Hours                                                        836

Falkirk Wheel

The sun was shinning today, so we decided to try a new cycle route from the Falkirk Wheel to Linlithgow and back via Callander Park and Falkirk town centre.  Although the sun was shinning for the most part, it varied from warm and breezy cold and as such our clothes and hats were on an off like yo-yos.

The Falkirk Wheel is a magnificent structure.  Located near Rough Castle, it links the Union Canal with the Forth and Clyde Canal and replaces the previous 11 locks that link these two canals.  The structure is 24m high. Pleasure trips can be taken from the basin to through the Rough Castle Tunnel whilst travelling on the wheel.  This attraction boasts a visitors centre with a cafe, shop and exhibition centre.  Toilets can also be found here and cycle parking can be found at the Falkirk Wheel car park.  During our visit all the cycle parking bays were empty.  As this was the start of our journey, we did not spend any time here but instead cycled straight up to the Rough Castle Tunnel, through and onto the Union Canal.

Rough Castle Tunnel

Cycling along the tow path is great fun and exciting.  There are some locations where cycling is not possible.  The passage through the Falkirk tunnel at 696 yards was very long and in places very dark.  I think we bumped into [literally] a couple of people as we just could not see 2 feet in front of ourselves.  Exiting the tunnel at the other end, our nerves were shot and our mouths thirsty.  Vowing not to return this route we recommenced the cycle on to Linlithgow.

Luckily and surprisingly we found a Tesco on the banks of the canal at Polmont and we stopped their for a drink before heading further on.

Sheep and Lambs on the Canal Bank

The Union Canal is very picturesque for the vast majority of the journey and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.  We saw many of these on our cycle including the usual farm animals and ducks, herons and other wild birds.

Half way between the Tescos and Linlithgow you pass over the Avon aqueduct, which we were lucky enough to pass on our return also.  This is a magnificent site and is the second longest aqueduct in the UK.  It towers to an amazing 86ft and is 810ft long.  It was built by Thomas Telford and transverses the Muiravonside Country Park.  Views from this aqueduct are simply spectacular.  Again, it is important to walk over the aqueduct.  The ground is slippery here and there isn't much to stop you falling straight into the canal.

Avon Aqueduct

A couple of miles final push and you reach the very picturesque town of Linlithgow.  Being a Sunday, there was  a bit a of buzz about the town with plenty of people enjoying its many attractions including the wonderful palace.  We did not spend much time exploring this wonderful town, but instead set about finding somewhere for some lunch.  Firstly, whilst there were quite a few cyclists in Linlithgow on the day we visited, there was more than sufficient cycle parking areas and we had no problem finding a location. [We utilised the bays outside the Taste Deli Cafe]. After a quick scout of the local eateries we opted for the Taste Deli Cafe.  We had picked this primarily because we were not looking for a big lunch but somewhere where we could enjoy a sandwich and a coffee.  As it turned out it was a fantastic pick.  We both had rolls.  Mine with scrambled egg and cheese with bacon.  Superb.  Sarah having a 'Rabbies breakfast' which she could not stop raving about most of the way home.  We both had decaffeinated skinny latte's which were excellent and all this came to a modest £10.  Staff were super friendly and we could not recommend this cafe highly enough.

Haining Castle

We returned the way had come, at least as far as the Tesco store. On the way back, keep an eye open for Haining Castle on your right hand side beside railway depot. Built around circa 14th Century by William de Crawfurde de Manuel, this building is a fine example of an L Plan tower house.  Be warned however, this building has been fenced off as it is very unsafe.  Although it could be accessed from the cycle path, it is set far enough back to not warrant a risk to anyone but the most persistent of visitors.

On reaching the Tesco store we left the canal path, in order to avoid the dark tunnel, and headed down towards Callender Park.  The road down to the Park has a combined cycle path/footpath and as such there is no need to spend any time on the roads. When exiting from the canal path head to the front right of the Tesco store and you will find a link here to the cycleway.   Callender Park is abound by paths and cycleway. It boasts a lake, golf course, mini golf, boating, bouncy castle, play park, historic house and other attractions.  The park was quite busy at this point and we did not stop.  We merely cycled down through woods, along the spine of the park and out the other side heading towards Falkirk town centre.  A quick stop at Cafe Nero for another coffee before returning to the Falkirk Wheel via the Forth and Clyde Canal.  We took the the road beside the old hospital and the new school back to the Forth and Clyde Canal as this road incorporated a cycle path/footpath and resulted in very little time being spent on the road.  The only roads we actually cycled on were very quiet back streets behind the town centre.

Union Canal

CYCLE STREET LINKS

Section 1:  The Falkirk Wheel to The Taste Deli, Linlithgow [Quietest Route]
Section 2:  The Taste Delie, Linlithgow to Cafe Nero, Falkirk [Quietest Route]
Section 3:  Cafe Nero, Falkirk to The Falkirk Wheel [Balanced Route]

CYCLE ROUTE MAP

 
View Falkirk Wheel - Linlithgow in a larger map