Kinneil - Blackness Cycle
Overview
20.8 km
Description
This trip along the coast will take you from one slice of Scottish history at Kinneil, to another at Blackness, via the local nature reserve on the Firth of Forth.
The return trip is 13 miles.
Starting in Kinneil Estate, take a wander round the grounds of the house, with its museum, James Watt cottage and part of the Antonine Wall, before riding around the coast of Kinneil Nature Reserve. Following the coast takes you into Bo’ness where you may hear the puffing of steam engines from its working steam railway.
A gentle ride along the flat coastal path follows the John Muir Way all the way to Blackness Castle, nicknamed ‘the ship that never sailed’ due to its unique shape.
After soaking in the history and maybe a coffee or ice cream in Blackness, retrace your path back along the coast to enjoy the views over the Forth towards the Ochil Hills.
Terrain
This route follows mainly shared walking/cycling path on tarmac with some unsealed surfaces around Kinneil Estate. The coastal sections are almost entirely flat and the only uphill is to and from Kinneil Estate. We have therefore rated this route as low difficulty.
Getting There
By rail: The nearest train station is Linlithgow 4 miles away.
By bus: Bo’ness Community Bus operates a service between Bo’ness, Blackness and Edinburgh.
By car: There is some parking available at Kinneil Museum and plenty of parking options in Bo’ness. Please avoid starting this route from Blackness as parking and congestion can be an issue.
Facilities
This short cycle will give you plenty of time to explore the coast around Kinneil Foreshore and venture into the town of Bo’ness, which has Scotland’s oldest cinema and a selection of places to eat and drink.
For a full listing of businesses and attractions on this route, view it on the Plan Your Trip page.
Points of interest
Kinneil House
Historic Home of the Dukes of Hamilton, the house dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. It's open on selected days throughout the year and guides from The Friends of Kinneil take people through the House and tell its fascinating story. Check with Kinneil Museum for information on the next open days.
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Kinneil Museum
Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th-century stable block of Kinneil House, and acts as an interpretive centre for Kinneil Estate. The exhibition '2,000 Years of History' tells the story of the park from Roman times to the present day.
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Kinneil Local Nature Reserve
Great mixed woodland walks with an opportunity to visit Kinneil House, a 15th-century tower house.
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Bo'ness Town Centre
This quiet coastal town has an incredible range of historic buildings dating back to the 16th century, alongside a steam railway and Scotland's oldest cinema.
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Bo'ness Hippodrome
The Hippodrome is Scotland's oldest purpose-built cinema. Screening everything from blockbusters, to foreign cinema, indie gems, and classics, it also hosts the annual Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema in March each year.
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Bridgeness Slab
A replica of the ancient Roman distance slab found here at the eastern end of the Antonine Wall.
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Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
Take a step back in time with a ride on a steam train and learn all about the history of rail travel at the museum and visitor centre.
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Blackness Castle
This imposing 15th century castle has hosted garrisons, prisoners and more recently many a film crew. Climb the towers for fantastic views of the Forth. Please note parking in the castle car park and external grounds is limited to paying customers only.
Open 10am-4pm daily
