West Lothian sits between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and its walking is easy to reach from both. It has canal towpaths, country parks and a few low hills with wide views.

Linlithgow. Linlithgow Palace stands beside a loch with a flat path around its shore, and the Union Canal runs through the town. Beecraigs Country Park, in the hills above the town, has woodland trails and a loch.

The Union Canal. The towpath crosses the Avon Aqueduct, one of the longest in Britain, and gives level walking towards Falkirk and Edinburgh.

Hills and the Forth. Cairnpapple Hill, in the Bathgate Hills, has a prehistoric henge and views over central Scotland. On the Forth shore, Blackness Castle and Hopetoun House are reached by the John Muir Way.

Towpaths can be muddy in winter, and the hills are exposed to wind, so wear waterproofs.