Road from Muirhouse Mains to West Calder
See index map showing all footpaths.
It a 2km walk from Muirhouse Mains to the centre of West Calder on the solid footpath that runs beside the A71. There's little peace from the busy traffic, but the route provides a useful return leg for a circular walk via Addiewell, and passes many points of historical interest. You will be following old turnpike roads for the length of your journey. The A71 in West Calder and the A701 that now branches south from it, once formed part of the Edinburgh to Lanark turnpike road, constructed in around 1770. From the junction with the A701 westwards, the A71 formed part of a turnpike route to Hamilton, completed in about 1820 which bravely crossed the boggy grounds of Longford and Handaxwood.
