The M8 motorway as seen from near Ratho Quarry.
The slip road ducks underneath the main carriageway before heading
north to Newbridge. The spoil tip / slag heap / shale bing at the
far left is beside Broxburn. The curving viaduct in the middle distance
carries the railway line over the Almond valley.
This can be seen from the same vantage point as
the above photo. South Platt Hill is the location of this quarry which
is currently being transformed into an Adventure Centre, presumably
for indoor climbing.
This view shows Ratho Quarry and also part of Craigpark
Quarry and its pond. Hidden from view between the two quarries is
the Union Canal. More detail of the construction work in progress
can be seen here. Link
to Adventure Centre
This carries the Union Canal high over
the River Almond. To cross the canal at this point you can descend
some steps, pass under the canal, and climb up more steps at the other
side. A path leads to Almondell and Calder Wood Country Park.
When the M8 motorway was built, the
canal was ignominiously confined to a pipe below it. This is the new
bridge which carries the canal under the M8. Its construction caused
some traffic disruption.
This is what it's like under the M8.
Cars and lorries thunder by only about 1 metre above. A slower pace
down here, where it will soon be possible to sail right across Scotland
once more.