Wilsontown
Wander around historic Wilsontown
Attractive woodland and grassland clothe the banks of the Moosewater Burn today. But they were once covered with smoking furnaces and noisy coalmines: Wilsontown Ironworks was one of the most important sites of Scotland’s Industrial Revolution.
Along the burnside there’s an exciting landscape of rocky outcrops, knolls and hollows, and the woodland is home to birds, butterflies and wildflowers. Illustrated panels along the trails and our guide to the Wilsontown Ironworks (PDF 7.4MB) [please note large file size] bring the bustling industrial past to life.
You can read more about Wilsontown Ironworks on our Heritage webpages.
Notices
- Please note, livestock are now on site. Dogs can worry animals and some farm animals can also just take a dislike to dogs. Please keep your dog at heel.
Life’s essentials
There are shops, places to eat and public toilets in Forth village, about ½ mile (800 metres) away.
Walking trails
Quality Row Trail
Explore the site of Wilsontown’s historic ironworks and the settlement where its workers lived and mined.
Wide, firm gravel surface throughout with some loose stones. Short moderate slopes but plenty of resting places. One quiet road crossing.
1 miles / 1.7 km Allow ½ hour
Peat Pond Path (closed)
Please note, from Monday 23rd January until further notice this and other surrounding paths will be closed for works. For your safety please obey all on site signage and diversions.
Wander though the forest that has grown over the old industrial landscape and discover a secret pond hidden among the trees.
Wide, firm gravel surface throughout. Some sections may be slightly loose or muddy. Long moderate slope for 400m. Includes a road crossing.
1 ¼ miles / 2.2 km Allow ¾ hour
The Glen Trail
A short stroll through young broadleaves alongside the Moosewater Burn and passing the site of the Wilson’s grand mansion.
Uneven grassy surface with muddy parts. One short fairly steep slope.
½ miles / 0.7 km Allow ¼ hour
How to get here
Turn off the A706 between Whitburn and Lanark just north of the village of Forth onto the B7016, signposted for Wilsontown. Bear left immediately afterwards and the car park is on the right, with a sign saying ‘The Glen’. The grid reference is NS 949 548.
Using SatNav?
ML11 8ER is the nearest postcode.
Public transport
Buses go to the village of Forth, about ½ mile (800 metres) away. Check Traveline Scotland for details.
Nearby places
You’ll find more trails to explore at West Forth, and good forest trails for walking, cycling or horse riding at Fauldhouse.
Share your experience
For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.
