# 6 of the best dog walks in West Lothian Last checked: 22 September 2026. Six checked West Lothian dog walks, from a 25-minute country park loop to a 6.8km circuit, with exact starts, official routes and the livestock and wildlife rules that matter. This chooser uses bounded routes from West Lothian Council, Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and NatureScot. Every profile separates the exact arrival from the route and records surfaces, parking, facilities and dog restrictions. Gate times, livestock, wildlife, mud, algae and temporary works can change. Carry water and a lead, download the managing body’s route before setting out and let current signs and staff instructions override this checked guide. ## 01. Beecraigs Orange Route **Best for:** A longer, mostly surfaced country park loop **Distance:** 6.8km **Time:** No official time published **Ground:** Mostly surfaced multi-user paths, shared with walkers, riders and cyclists **Start:** Beecraigs Visitor Centre, Linlithgow EH49 6PL ![An Orange Route marker beside a surfaced path and loch at Beecraigs](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/beecraigs-orange-route-loch-restored.webp) ### The route Follow the orange discs from the visitor centre around the official 6.8km circuit. The council marks it as the longest but easiest of the park loops, says it can be walked in either direction and distinguishes it from the rougher Purple Route. [Open Beecraigs Visitor Centre in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/?q=55.9554241%2C-3.5953675) [Open the official Beecraigs route map](https://westlothian.gov.uk/media/1344/Beecraigs-Country-Park-Map-and-Waymarked-Routes/pdf/Beecraigs_Map_cofxsspgaks7.pdf?m=1744732451557) ### What dog owners need to know Keep dogs under control, stop them chasing or worrying wildlife and livestock, and pick up waste. The council specifically asks for close control around sheep and cattle. Use a short lead or close heel in livestock fields and during the usual April to July ground-nesting bird season. ### Before you go The visitor-centre car park closes at 21:00 in summer and 19:00 in winter. Busy-day overflow is at Hillhouse, about three minutes away, but its gate closes at 18:30 in summer and 15:30 in winter. Toilets follow visitor-centre hours and close on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Bring dog water because no drinking-water point is promised. **Watch for:** This is a shared-use trail. Give horses and cyclists room, watch the seasonal gate times and follow temporary livestock signs. - [Council parking and directions](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34142/Parking-How-to-find-Beecraigs) - [Council visitor-centre hours](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34141/Beecraigs-Visitor-Centre-and-Contact-Information) ## 02. Polkemmet Blue Route **Best for:** A short pond and woodland circuit **Distance:** About 1.6km **Time:** About 25 minutes **Ground:** Surfaced path around the pond; the approach from the Train car park is level and at least 1600mm wide **Start:** Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, Bathgate EH47 0AD ![The surfaced Blue Route path beside the pond at Polkemmet Country Park](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/polkemmet-blue-route-pond-path-restored.webp) ### The route Use the blue waymarkers for the council’s short circuit beside the pond and through the country park. The official map publishes the Blue Route as about 1.6km and 25 minutes, separate from the longer 2.3km Red Route. [Open Polkemmet Country Park in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/?q=55.8654217342%2C-3.7205006989) [Open the official Polkemmet route map](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/1359/Polkemmet-Country-Park-Map-and-Waymarkers/pdf/Polkemmet_Map.pdf?m=1744731452893) ### What dog owners need to know Keep dogs under control and pick up waste. The country park welcomes dogs and the accessibility guide lists the cafe as dog friendly. Use a short lead or close heel whenever livestock, wildlife or busy shared paths require it. ### Before you go The park has Train, Golf, Driving Range and South car parks, with six accessible bays near the visitor centre. The main gate closes at 21:00 from April to September and 20:00 from October to March. The park is open year-round, but the visitor centre and public toilets close on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Bring dog water. **Watch for:** A surfaced pond section does not make the whole route universally accessible. The council advises contacting the visitor centre about the best route for individual access needs. - [Council accessibility guide](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/49475/Polkemmet-Park-Accessibility-Guide-2024/pdf/2024_Polkemmet_Country_Park_Accessibility_Guide_pdf.pdf) - [Council parking and directions](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34223/How-to-Find-Polkemmet) ## 03. Linlithgow Loch Circular **Best for:** A palace, loch and town circuit **Distance:** 2.3 miles (3.7km) **Time:** About 1 hour **Ground:** Tarmac, whindust and unsurfaced sections, with narrow stretches, kissing gates and mud on the east side **Start:** Linlithgow Palace, Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL ![Linlithgow Palace and church on a grassy hill across the loch](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/linlithgow-palace-loch-restored.webp) ### The route Follow council core path WL3 around the loch. The southeast section leaves the Peel for the A803, then uses the roadside pavement to Fiddler’s Croft before the path returns along the north and east shores. [Open Linlithgow Palace in Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3YWGb5BMBQ2XprYh9) [Open the official Linlithgow Loch route map](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/2637/DCPP-10-Map-D-WL3-Linlithgow-Loch-Circular-WL7-Fisher-s-Brae-and-WL35-Linlithgow-Loch-to-Union-Canal/pdf/dcpp-map-d.pdf?m=1396515461543) ### What dog owners need to know Historic Environment Scotland requires dogs on leads at all times at the Palace and Peel start and excludes them from roofed areas. Keep close control around the loch’s wildfowl and use a short lead or close heel during the usual April to July ground-nesting bird season. ### Before you go On-site parking is limited, with two accessible bays plus height and width restrictions. Benches and picnic tables are available. HES provides a temporary toilet; the nearest adapted toilet is at the Vennel, about 350 metres away. Bring dog water. **Watch for:** The route is busy in summer and at weekends. Keep dogs out of water showing blue-green algae and follow current signs; council guidance says exposed dogs can become ill and need veterinary attention. - [HES Linlithgow Palace visit information](https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit/all/linlithgow-palace/plan-your-visit/) - [Council blue-green algae guidance](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34369/Dangers-of-Blue-Green-Algae) ## 04. House of the Binns tower circular **Best for:** A short estate walk to a hilltop folly **Distance:** 1km circular **Time:** Up to 30 minutes **Ground:** Uneven and steep in places, with woodland steps and stone field steps **Start:** House of the Binns, Binns View, Linlithgow EH49 7NA ![Binns Tower standing on a grassy hill at House of the Binns](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/house-of-binns-tower.webp) ### The route From the house, follow the National Trust for Scotland’s described circular through the east woods to the tower. Return south of the hill through the small gate and pass the smokehouse on the way back. [Open House of the Binns in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=House%20of%20the%20Binns%20EH49%207NA) [Open the official House of the Binns access guide](https://www.nts.org.uk/accessibility/house-of-the-binns-accessibility-guide) ### What dog owners need to know Dogs must stay on a lead because of livestock. Use a short lead and close control around peafowl and grazing animals, and do not take a dog into the parkland when lambs or calves are present. ### Before you go The estate is open daily from dawn to dusk all year. The car park has 26 spaces and two accessible bays at the house. Toilets are tied to house opening rather than daily estate access, and no drinking-water point is promised. There is no direct bus; the nearest stop involves a busy road without pavement. **Watch for:** The route is not wheelchair accessible. House tours have separate pre-booked hours and are not part of this outdoor walk. - [National Trust for Scotland visit information](https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/house-of-the-binns/planning-your-visit) ## 05. Blawhorn Moss boardwalk route **Best for:** A short raised-bog boardwalk **Distance:** 2km return **Time:** No official time published **Ground:** A 700m wide surfaced approach with a gentle to moderate slope, then a short circular boardwalk **Start:** Reserve car park off the A89 west of Blackridge, grid reference NS878676 ![Wooden boardwalk crossing the open raised bog at Blawhorn Moss](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/blawhorn-boardwalk-restored.webp) ### The route Take the wide surfaced track from the car park for about 700 metres to the reserve, then follow the short circular boardwalk through the raised bog before returning on the same access track. [Open Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Blawhorn%20Moss%20National%20Nature%20Reserve) [Open the official Blawhorn Moss visit page](https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/visit-our-nature-reserves/blawhorn-moss-nnr/blawhorn-moss-nnr-visiting-reserve) ### What dog owners need to know NatureScot asks for dogs on a short lead or under close control and for waste to be picked up. Keep to the boardwalk and path to protect the bog and use close control around red grouse, roe deer and other wildlife. ### Before you go The car park is at the end of an unmarked access road north of the A89, west of Blackridge. NatureScot says access may close at 18:00 in winter and 21:00 in summer, and a barrier restricts high and wide vehicles. No toilets or drinking-water point are promised, so bring water. **Watch for:** The bog has soft ground, deep pools and ditches. Stay on the boardwalk and obey current closure signs. The live page still shows a restoration notice for August to December 2025, so check it before travel rather than treating that old period as a present closure. - [NatureScot reserve leaflet](https://www.nature.scot/visit-blawhorn-moss-national-nature-reserve) ## 06. Almondell Community Heritage Trail **Best for:** A riverside history trail with nine stops **Distance:** Nine-stop route; no official distance published **Time:** No official time published **Ground:** Mainly flat surfaced paths through woodland and beside the River Almond **Start:** Almondell Country Park North Car Park, Broxburn EH52 5PE ![Nasmyth Bridge crossing the River Almond among green woodland](/local-guides/dog-walks-west-lothian/almondell-nasmyth-bridge-restored.webp) ### The route Follow the nine numbered heritage boards linking the former house site, Nasmyth Bridge, feeder aqueduct, Camps Viaduct, Dell Bridge and memorials, Mandela Bridge, walled garden, visitor-centre stable block and Kirkhill Pillar. The official leaflet fixes the route but does not publish a distance or time. [Open Almondell Country Park North Car Park in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/?q=55.9110068%2C-3.4557135) [Open the official Almondell Heritage Trail leaflet](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/56357/Almondell-Heritage-Trail-Leaflet/pdf/202209_Almondell_Heritage_Trail_Leaflet_04_ONLINE.pdf?m=1676968021120) ### What dog owners need to know West Lothian Council requires dogs under proper control. Use a lead around wildlife, livestock and busy shared spaces, follow local signs and pick up waste. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks for a short lead or close heel during the usual April to July ground-nesting bird season. ### Before you go North car park is closest to the visitor centre and opens 09:00 to dusk in summer, 10:00 to 16:00 in winter. Visitor-centre and toilet hours are 09:00 to 17:00 from 30 March to 25 October 2026, then 10:00 to 16:00 to 28 March 2027, with a 12:30 to 13:00 lunch closure. They close on 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. Bring dog water. **Watch for:** The park is open year-round, but gated parking and facilities keep shorter seasonal hours. Do not use the missing distance as permission to invent a mileage estimate. - [Council heritage project page](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/70202/Almondell-Historic-Wall-Heritage-Project) - [Council parking and directions](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34232/How-to-Find-Almondell-Calderwood) ## Planning your West Lothian dog walk Use the exact named arrival, check gate and facility times, bring water and carry a lead. Under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, never let a dog worry livestock, avoid fields with lambs, calves or other young animals, and use a short lead or close heel around livestock. On moorland, forests, grasslands and loch shores, do the same during the usual April to July ground-nesting bird season. [Scottish Outdoor Access Code dog-walking guidance](https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/dog-walkers/dog-walking) [West Lothian Council core paths plan](https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/corepathsplan) ## Questions about West Lothian dog walks ### Which West Lothian dog walk is shortest? House of the Binns publishes a 1km woodland tower circular taking up to 30 minutes. Polkemmet’s Blue Route is about 1.6km and 25 minutes, with a surfaced pond section and a level approach from the Train car park. ### Which route is best for a longer walk? Beecraigs Orange Route is the longest selected circuit at 6.8km. The council calls it the easiest of the park’s waymarked loops and says most of it is surfaced, but it is still a shared trail with livestock and seasonal gate times. ### Do dogs need to stay on leads? House of the Binns requires a lead because of livestock, and HES requires leads at the Linlithgow Palace and Peel start. Elsewhere use proper control, then switch to a short lead or close heel around livestock and during the usual April to July ground-nesting bird season. ### Which walk has the best facilities? Beecraigs, Polkemmet and Almondell have visitor centres and toilets, but hours and holiday closures vary. Linlithgow has a temporary toilet at the palace and an adapted toilet about 350 metres away. Blawhorn does not promise toilets or drinking water. ### Can dogs swim in Linlithgow Loch? Keep dogs out when blue-green algae is visible or warnings are posted. West Lothian Council specifically warns that dogs exposed at Linlithgow Loch can become ill and owners should seek veterinary advice. ### How current is this guide? Every route, arrival and dog rule was checked against its managing body on 22 September 2026. Gate times, facilities, livestock, algae and temporary closures can change faster than editorial copy, so official pages and on-site signs remain the final authority. Report a changed rule or route using the correction form on [the full guide](/guides/dog-walks-west-lothian).