Murieston Trail

Route length: 4km (3km if avoiding steps)

Estimated duration: 60 mins

On-route facilities: West Lothian Council automated toilet facilities in Livingston South Railway Station car park.

Travel: Parking is available at Livingston South Railway Station, and in a small car park at the entrance to Campbridge Pond

Points of Interest/History/Heritage

1. Livingston South Railway Station - one of two railway stations in Livingston linking Edinburgh with Glasgow Central on the Shotts Line. Please refer to Scotrail for further information. A local Co-op, convenience store, florist, salon and restaurant are located at the Bankton Centre.
2. Murieston Village Hall - Murieston Village Hall forms a hub for the local community and provides a base for local groups including after-school clubs and Girl Guides. Host to events and Craft Fairs with booking via West Lothian Council. Next to the Village Hall is Murieston Community Garden, created in 2021 by a group of local volunteers with an interest in gardening. The garden is being developed as an outdoor opportunity for residents of Murieston and the wider West Lothian to come together and grow vegetables and flowers.
3. Murieston Trail and Beech Avenue - the Murieston Trail follows the north side of the Murieston Water through mixed woodland, forming part of the original path network set out by LDC in the early 1980's. From Robin's Lane there is a majestic avenue of very tall old beech trees forming an atmospheric arch for walking through. Historically, this must have been an alternative approach to Murieston House.
4. Murieston River - the Murieston Water has its source near Cobbinshaw, West Calder, and runs through the Murieston Valley before reaching Calderwood, where it meets the Linhouse Water before reaching the River Almond. It forms part of a water compensatory scheme, carrying water from Cobbinshaw to the Almond to compensate for water being drawn from the Almond to supply the Union Canal at Lin's Mill near Cliftonhall. Water sampling carried out in recent years has captured brown trout and minnow, but no salmon. The river is a haven for bird and insect life, with dippers being heard and herons often seen or heard.
5. Murieston House and Stables - Murieston House is an early Georgian country house originally built around 1800 as the home of Edinburgh banker, Henry Jamieson. The house and adjacent steadings are private residencies, together with a handful of houses that have been recently built. Research by members of local community group Murieston Environment Group (MEG) uncovered details of large greenhouses being situated by Campbridge Pond growing 'oranges' for the estate, but no evidence remains.
6. Livingston Cricket Club - Livingston Cricket Club, founded in 1981 is located in Murieston, just north of the Murieston Trail path.
7. The club supports local cricket and hosts other community events including a Farmer's Market and annual Gala Days.
8. Campbridge Pond - Campbridge Pond was originally an old limestone quarry supplying the agricultural and industrial needs of the area. It also provided an area of ash disposal. from the furnaces of Edinburgh, which later proved a challenge to decontaminate when developing new housing. The quarry footprint extended out from the what is now the pond and the paths are grounded in what were the railway cuttings linking the quarry to the main railway line. Sometimes known as the 'Skivo' pond, it's now a haven for local wildlife and nature conservation. A surfaced path circles the pond and several viewing platforms allow for pleasant vantage points close to the water. The pond is also home to many amphibians with toad tadpoles particularly visible in the spring time. Dragon and damselflies are abundant in the summer with flashes of colour seen dashing across the surface.
9. Pond restoration - Campbridge Pond was restored in 2012 through a volunteer project led by MEG. The water was completely drained and dredged for silt, following a fish rescue. Raised beds and islands were formed to provide platforms for plants and safe spaces for nesting birds. Native plants including reedmace, forget-me-not and bogbean were planted to boost biodiversity.
10. Boardwalks - the boardwalks alongside the meandering Murieston Water provide a lovely path through young and old woodland. Bustling in spring with wildlife, and teaming with berries and fruits in the Autumn.
11. Murieston Woodlands - there has been woodland at Murieston and along the water for many years, with evidence of woodland marked on the map since the 1800's. Historically, the area was awarded by King James IV under the duty of the Sandilands Family to Lord Torphichen, with land then given to Henry Jamieson around 1793. The woodlands, with beech avenues and mighty oaks, would have been planted further in estate times. The wider area would have been moor and farmland, as derived from the 'Murieston' name.
12. Stone Seat - this striking stone seat sculpture provides a point of rest, and to enjoy the surrounding grass and woodlands. It is built next to the site of the bandstand, which was originally built as a gathering area and amphitheatre for outdoor concerts, but was unfortunately lost to fire several years ago.
13. Murieston House driveway and pillars - sandstone pillars located at the start of the original driveway, leading to Murieston House and dated August 1858.
14. Murieston Bridge - historical rubble bridge built around 1800 as a crossing point on the Murieston Water leading to Murieston House.
15. Meadow Path - the meadow path follows the water, with fruit trees and opportunities to sit and picnic. Many apple trees were planted by a volunteer group to provide fruit for public.
16. Play Park - the Play Park and football pitch provide great opportunity for children young and old alike to have fun and participate in sports.

Additional Info:

MEG/ Murieston Environmental Group: Campbridge Pond and areas around the Murieston Water are managed and looked after by the local community in partnership with West Lothian Council. The Murieston Environmental Group (MEG) were set up as a local community group and then registered charity in 2010 and have played a key role in looking after this area and making improvements to ponds and paths and planning for the future. They have organised fun days, bat walks, volunteer dates and educational visits along with grant funding and management planning.