Almondell & Calderwood Country Park

Woodland Management

Most of the woods were planted as part of Henry Erskine's Almondell Estate and now form part of Almondell & Calderwood Country Park.  In order to maintain the woods and public access in a healthy state for future generations, woodland management work is needed.  A Woodland Management Plan was approved by, and grant assistance secured from, Scottish Forestry under their Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) programme. Planned forestry work inevitably causes disruption in the Park but once restored will breathe new life into the woods. Information is also available in the Visitor Centre and a reference copy of the Almondell Woodland Management Plan is available at reception.

• Almondell Woodland Management [1.45MB]
• Almondell Woodland Management Map [2.32MB]

Replanting

A great start has been made to the replanting of the woodland along the South Drive. Over 150 volunteers of all ages, including pupils from East Calder and St Paul's Primary Schools, the Young Police Volunteer Group, a group undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh badge and the Friends of Almondell & Calderwood, all lent a hand to plant and protect 2000 oak, silver birch, alder, sycamore and Scots pine trees. More tree planting events are planned. Ornamental trees will be planted along the drive to give Spring and Autumn colour, with fruiting trees and shrubs along the edge of the Calderwood Development. Trees will be planted in gaps in the former Larch Wood as well as allowing young trees to grow up naturally from seed in the soil.

Interested in helping

If you are interested in helping, please send your email or telephone contact details for "Almondell Tree Planting" to almondell&calderwood@westlothian.gov.uk or call at the Visitor Centre.

Paths

The path along the former Larch Wood has been completed, and the renewal of the path from the North Drive to the Mandela Bridge has also been upgraded. The landscaping of the North Car Park is still underway. Tree safety work followed by path improvement works are planned along the canal feeder to Powies Path as per notices on site.

Please take care and heed the safety notices or directions from the contractors.

Mobile sawing unit demonstration

In May 2021 a mobile sawing unit demonstration ran at Almondell with pupils from local primary schools attending and enjoyed seeing and learning about woodlands.

Grants and Funding

All the above projects would not be possible without the grants and other funding from NatureScot Better Places Green Recovery Fund, Scottish Forestry's Woods In and Around Towns Grant, planning contributions from Stirling Developments Ltd and West Lothian Council's Capital Fund.

Almondell Historic Wall Update 

• Almondell Historic Wall and Heritage Project

Thank you to visitors for your patience while work is ongoing.

• Almondell Exhibition Room Hire [203KB]

• Room Hire at Almondell & Calderwood and Beecraigs 2022-2023 [1.08MB]