Burnhouse to Westwood
See index map showing all footpaths.
A walk of about 1.2km along the old Drove Loan from the site of Burnhouse farm to the old Lanark turnpike road (now the B7015). The path drops down to the Breich Water, crossing by footbridge before heading up across an area scarred by mining which has reverted back to mossy wasteland. You then skirt the foot of the towering five sisters bing, passing along an avenue of trees that once defined boundaries within the Westwood estate. The route is unsurfaced, boggy in parts, with a stile and gates. There are sometimes loose cattle in the boggy area.
The route is traditionally know as the Drove Loan; a route supposedly followed by the 18th century cattle drovers when herding their stock to the markets of the south. It is marked as a road on 19th century maps, but for some reason never was never added to the list of public highways. (It's probably coincidence that Robert Steuart, the local landowner, was chair of the local highways committee.) The route was nevertheless a well-used public right of way, maintained with parish funds, and used as a route to work by many shale miners and oil workers.

Route of the drove road, highlighted on Forrest's map of Linlithgowshire, published 1818, courtesy of National Library of Scotland

At the site of Burnhouse farm. July 2021

The path follows the slope of the land, turning to decend the steepest slope to the Breich water. July 2021

The path passes beneath the remains of a railway bridge. July 2021

The steel deck of the footbridge. July 2021

The path gains ground on the northern side. July 2021

Through the gate to open ground. July 2021

At the feet of the five sisters. July 2021

An inquisitive, but friendly resident. February 2020

Over the stile into the woods. July 2021

The road-width path passes through an avenue of trees. July 2021

Reaching the B7015, and a sign of past dreams. July 2021