Bathgate Hills, a couple of miles from Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

Ravencraig Woodland

Broadleaf woodland

Place photograph

7.2

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandHillsWalkersPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

7.2

A Bronze Age cairn crowns one of the highest points in West Lothian, above woodland once used as Lord Hopetoun’s deer park.

Ravencraig is more than a local woodland walk: its paths climb from a small entrance pond through mixed woodland and old estate ground to a Bronze Age cairn and broad views across the Firth of Forth and Pentland Hills.

Peaceful · Wild

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Bathgate Hills, a couple of miles from Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

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The experience

Allow about an hour for the short loop described by AllTrails, or longer to explore the council’s uphill paths to Raven Craig cairn and the summit. Expect hilly ground and a mix of surfaced and unsurfaced paths.

Things to do

Walk to Raven Craig cairn

Follow the uphill woodland paths towards the Bronze Age cairn and summit, described by the council as among the highest points in West Lothian.

Take in the hilltop vista

The council identifies views from the hilly grassland towards the Firth of Forth to the north-east and the Pentland Hills to the south.

Explore the short woodland loop

AllTrails describes a short, easy loop through the woods from the car park on the road east out of Bathgate.

0.5–1 hour

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 0.5–1 hour

Quick Escape: the Raven Craig loop

01
Start from the car park on the road east out of Bathgate, as described by AllTrails.
02
Follow the short loop north through the woods.
03
If conditions and time allow, continue uphill towards Raven Craig and its cairn before returning.

Half day · Allow a half day

Make a half day of it: woodland, cairn and hill views

01
Begin at the woodland entrance and follow the surfaced path to the small pond.
02
Explore the paths through the mixed woodland, continuing uphill towards Raven Craig cairn and summit.
03
On the return, take in the old steading and the hilly grassland vista if your chosen path allows.

Verified history

West Lothian Council says the site was used as a deer park by landowner Lord Hopetoun from 1750 to 1805; surviving walls and ditches are identified as remnants of that landscape. In 1875, a landowner attempted to find silver. Copper and limestone were mined instead, and ruins of a farm steading remain to the east. The council has managed Ravencraig as amenity woodland since 1997. The Bronze Age cairn at Raven Craig was discovered in the late 1990s and is classified by Historic Scotland, according to the council.

Hidden details

The cairn above the trees — Find the Bronze Age cairn at Raven Craig. The council says it was discovered in the late 1990s and classified by Historic Scotland.

Traces of the deer park — Look for walls and ditches the council identifies as remains of Lord Hopetoun’s deer park, used from 1750 to 1805.

A failed search for silver — The council records a 1875 attempt to unearth silver; copper and limestone were mined instead.

When to go

· Check before visiting

The supplied source row recommends late spring and early autumn but does not give exact months. It notes that winter trails may be muddy; the council source describes the woodland’s habitats and features but does not specify seasonal highlights.

The source row notes that paths may be muddy in winter. The council describes hilly ground and unsurfaced paths; check conditions before visiting.

The route

ascent: 137 ft
surface: Mixed: the council describes a surfaced path near the entrance and unsurfaced uphill paths; AllTrails describes the loop through the woods.
distance: 1.6 miles
duration: 0.5–1 hour
difficulty: Easy
route shape: Loop
start point: AllTrails describes the start as the car park on the road east out of Bathgate; confirm the current start point before setting out.
parking start: AllTrails identifies a car park on the road east out of Bathgate. The supplied council source does not confirm parking arrangements; check before visiting.
shorter alternative: AllTrails describes the 1.6-mile loop as a short route taking about 0.5–1 hour.

Woodland loop
Raven Craig cairn and summit
Views towards the Firth of Forth and Pentland Hills

What to look for

Look for the Bronze Age cairn at Raven Craig, the old deer-park walls and ditches known as ha-has, and the remains of a farm steading to the east. The council also identifies traces of quarrying associated with a 19th-century attempt to find silver.

The story

Bronze Age archaeology; former deer park and estate landscape; 19th-century quarrying

Best time to go

Late spring and early autumn, according to the supplied source row. The council describes a mix of coniferous and broadleaved woodland.

The supplied source row recommends late spring and early autumn. Check current path conditions before setting out; the source row notes that trails may be muddy in winter.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

West Lothian Council manages the woodland as an amenity site. A surfaced path leads from the entrance to a small pond; other paths cross hilly ground and include unsurfaced sections.

Parking

The council source does not confirm parking. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The entrance path to the pond is surfaced; other paths are hilly and some are unsurfaced. The supplied source row says the trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Pond