Getting There
Sat Nav: EH49 6PL
Leave the M8 at Junction 3 and follow the signs to Bathgate, Broxburn A899, eastbound exit, westbound 4th exit.
At the roundabout take the 2nd exit signed Dechmont A899 and at the following roundabout take the 1st exit signed Dechmont.
Turn right onto Burnhouse Road and continue ahead for a mile. Turn left and continue along the road passing Blackcraig Farm on the left, then winding past South Mains farm on the left and North Mains farm on the right. Continue forward, then turn right to enter Beecraigs Country Park
Return to M8 Junction 3
Exit Beecraigs Country Park and turn left. Continue along the lane, passing the farms, and turn right onto Burnhouse Road.
At the T-junction turn left and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A899. At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit signed Glasgow, Livingston A899 and continue ahead to return to Junction 3 of the M8.
Beecraigs Country Park
Length of walk: 35 minutes or very much longer
With over 900 acres of grounds, there is an overwhelming choice of walking routes in this very active country park.
We started off in the visitor centre car park and enjoyed a short excursion from there, noting that there are times in the year when this route is not recommended for dogs because of the red deer breeding season. Deer are bred in the park, and venison sausages can be bought from the shop.
We then went to check out the Balvormie car park (turn left from the visitor centre car park, turn left and then left again). The overflow car park there is 20m beyond the entrance to the car park proper on the right. Don’t be fooled by an apparently locked gate – the entrance is further on.
Three marked trails start here, and these are all waymarked with coloured posts. On the day we were here, midges were making the most of an unusually sunny day - so remember the repellent if you need it.
This is a very safe environment for dogs, and Jem had a fine time.
Facilities
WC, visitor centre – with a lot of very useful information about the area – open from 0900 to 1600, shop, refreshments. Descriptive leaflets, 20p each, of the trails through the country park.
Rangers on duty. Dog water, dog poo bins. Partial wheelchair/buggy routes from some but not all access points. Children’s adventure playground.