Winchburgh To Linlithgow¶

Walk Metadata¶

Attribute	Value
Difficulty	Easy
Distance	9.9 km
Duration	2 hours
Type	Linear
Elevation Gain	Minimal
Terrain	Towpath, canal-side path, paved sections
Can be done by public transport	Yes

Getting There¶

Start: Winchburgh Sainbury’s

Train: None
Bus: Lothian bus X19 services to Winchburgh

End: Dudley the Cat statue in Linlithgow / across the Linlithgow canal centre

Train: Linlithgow Station
Bus: Midland Bluebird services around town

Route¶

Section Walked	Distance	Date
Winchburgh to Philpstoun	3.5 km	22-FEB-2026
Philpstoun to Linlithgow	6.4 km	22-FEB-2026

Description¶

Start at Sainsbury’s Winchburgh & Join the Towpath: We began our walk from the Sainsbury’s in Winchburgh and joined the Union Canal towpath heading towards Linlithgow.
Frosted Towpath Near Philpstoun Bings: As we progressed along the canal, we encountered the distinctive Philpstoun Bings, remnants of the region’s shale industry. On this particular morning, the towpath was frosted and glistening, creating a beautiful winter landscape. The frost-covered path offered a crisp, scenic section of the walk with industrial heritage landmarks visible alongside the canal.
Philpstoun: We walked past the charming village of Philpstoun. Several houses back onto the canal – what lovely views they must have! There’s a signpost here. We didn’t go into the village this time.
Park Bistro & Farm Encounter: Shortly after Philpstoun, we reached Park Bistro, a restaurant next to the canal. We walked under a bridge and suddenly, we spotted two friendly donkeys. A board says they are called Sonny and Jeremy and asked walkers to only feed them apples and carrots. Park Bistro is a good spot to take a break and refresh before continuing.
Approach to Linlithgow: From here, the towpath continues towards Linlithgow, passing through pleasant stretches of the canal with views of the surrounding countryside. The path remains flat and easy-going, making for a comfortable walk. On the day we walked, we could see the snowy tops of the Ochils in Stirlingshire to our right. It was chilly!
Arrive at Linlithgow: We finished our walk at Linlithgow, a historic town with the iconic Dudley the Cat statue as a notable landmark. Linlithgow offers plenty of amenities and is easily accessible by public transport, making it an ideal endpoint for this scenic canal walk. We spent some time watching the birds in Linlithgow Loch and wandered about town a while before heading home.

To summarise, it was a lovely, accessible walk along the Union Canal. The frosted towpath and farm donkeys provided charming highlights, and the route’s gentle terrain made it enjoyable for a leisurely day out.

Notes¶

Cafes, Restaurants, Pubs, and Grocery Shops:
- There’s a Sainsbury’s at the starting point.
- Lots of restaurants and cafes in Linlithgow. We had a coffee at the White Dove cafe.
Public Toilets: Winchburgh Sainsbury’s. Public toilets in Linlithgow.
Safety: Watch for cyclists on the towpath; most are considerate, but stay alert.
Wildlife: Look out for kingfishers, swans, and other waterfowl along the canal.