Armadale: Walks, Nature and Industrial History

On the southwestern edge of Armadale lies Blackmoss Nature Park, a local biodiversity site. The park includes a significant lowland raised bog, native woodland, grassland and wetlands. This means a stay in Armadale can bring together a range of interests: natural areas, walking trails and the history of the town.

Walks and Landscapes

Hardhill Wood is a destination for scenic walks and offers views across the Bathgate Hills. At Black Moss, you can walk through woodland and past ponds. Each has a distinct character: views across the hills are part of what defines Hardhill Wood, while Black Moss is associated with woodland and ponds. If you include walks in your trip, you can choose between these different landscapes.

Routes by Distance and Duration

The WL21 Armadale Round Town Path is 0.6 miles (1 km) long. It starts on Baird Road on the northern side of Armadale and ends at Wood Park in Upper Bathville. The start point, end point and length give you a clear guide for planning your day.

The Armadale Medal Route comprises three routes through the town and parks, with a maximum length of 3 miles or 5 kilometres. The Bronze Route takes approximately 15 minutes and follows a short, hilly route past Victorian architecture in Armadale. The Silver Route is listed as taking around 30 minutes and passes through a nature reserve and a Victorian park. The timings make the difference clear: the Silver Route takes about twice as long as the Bronze Route. Surfaces, route layouts and details may change; check the latest information before setting out on a walk.

Industrial and Local History

Natural deposits of minerals, fireclay, ironstone and limestone helped Armadale grow into a mining town in the late 19th century. These different raw materials are all part of the town’s development. Armadale was also known for brickmaking.

The Armadale Community Museum houses a permanent collection of objects relating to the village’s social and industrial past. Another historical detail can be found at The Goth, an inn that opened in 1911 and was designed according to the Swedish Gothenburg system. Armadale was also historically known for wild boar hunting, which attracted royal guests staying at Linlithgow Palace. The museum, inn and hunting history each shed light on a different aspect of the town’s past.

Speedway During the Season

The Edinburgh Monarchs Armadale Speedway track is a 260-metre oval. During the season, from March to October, the Edinburgh Monarchs race on Friday evenings at the Scotwaste Arena. If you’d like to combine your visit with a race, check the current fixture list for suitable dates.

Discover more destinations: Winchburgh, Linlithgow, Bathgate, Fauldhouse, Dunbar, Livingston, Pencaitland, Pumpherston

For the overview of the wider region: Lothian.