Hillend Loch Railway Path [National Cycle Route 75]

Update - This path was closed in October 2008 to allow the restoration of the Aidrie to Bathgate railway line. A new cycle path is being created alongside the track and will open at the end of 2010.

The 13+ mile long path runs between the towns of Airdrie and Bathgate in central Scotland. For most of its length it follows the line of an old railway line, and is also known as the Airdrie to Bathgate Railway Path.



It starts at Drumgelloch Station in Airdrie. The station is hidden away in a cul-de-sac off Forrest Street. Because it follows a railway line the path is flat for most of its length. A number of sculptures have been erected along the path. The path surface is very good, though there is the odd place were it would be nice if someone swept the broken Buckfast bottles away.




The path is part of a national cycleway from Edinburgh to Glasgow.



It took me about 2.5 hours to cycle out to Bathgate, and back to Airdrie.

When you are returning to Airdrie you come to a fork in the path. The signs suggest, incorrectly, that the left fork is the one to take