Getting There
Eastbound traffic: leave the M8 at Junction 3a and take the 1st exit to follow the sign to Bathgate A779. At the next roundabout take the 4th exit to follow the A89
Westbound traffic: leave the M8 at Junction 3a and take the 1st exit to follow the sign to Bathgate A779. At the next roundabout take the 5th exit to follow the A89.
Both routes: turn left at the massive Tesco Distribution Centre.
At the T-junction turn left. The car park is on the right hand side after driving over the brow of a hill.
The car park for Ravencraig Woodland looks more like a long works depot lay-by, but it isn’t. Enter between the black metal poles and park at the far end. If you miss the first entrance, there is a second chance about 30 metres further down the hill.
Return to M8 Junction 3a
Turn left from the car park. Pass a farm and then turn right. At the Tesco T-junction, turn right.
Follow the signs to continue your journey east or westbound on the M8.
Ravencraig Woodland
From the higher end of the car park turn left at the footpath sign and walk for 20-30 metres to an information board. This gives full details of two circular trails within the park.
The Blue route is 2.5 kilometers / one hour, and the shorter red route is 1km / 25 minutes.
Both paths are well signed with colour coded arrows, and the paths are well maintained and easy to follow.
Local dog owners trudge up the hill from Bathgate to give their dogs a good run here, and it’s easy to see why. The park is an excellent mix of good paths for people, and exciting terrain for dogs to enjoy chasing around in a very safe environment with, according to Jem, fine sniffing too.
There’s a view of the Forth Bridge over in the distance, and very few signs of human activity apart from that.
West Lothian council have done a good job here of reclaiming industrial land and recreating a natural environment that has developed into a tranquil and refreshing spot.
Facilities
Turn left from the car park. Pass a farm and then turn right. At a T-junction dominated by the massive Tesco distribution centre, turn right.
Follow the signs to continue your journey east or westbound on the M8.