West Rhodens Plantation

Wood, Forest in West Lothian

Scotland

West Rhodens Plantation

View to Wind Farm Sheep huddled at edge of field — View to Wind Farm Credit: Jim Smillie

West Rhodens Plantation is a tranquil woodland located in West Lothian, Scotland. Spanning across a vast area, it is known for its lush greenery and diverse range of flora and fauna. The plantation is situated near the town of Livingston, offering a scenic retreat for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking relaxation.

The woodland is predominantly made up of native trees such as oak, birch, and beech, which provide a rich habitat for various wildlife species. It is home to a plethora of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and finches, making it a haven for birdwatchers and photographers. The peaceful atmosphere and abundance of wildlife create an ideal setting for nature walks and exploration.

West Rhodens Plantation offers well-maintained walking trails, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding woodland. These trails offer stunning views of the forest, with sunlight filtering through the canopy, casting enchanting shadows on the forest floor.

The plantation is a popular destination for families, as it features picnic areas and designated spaces for outdoor activities. It provides an excellent opportunity for children to learn about nature, with educational signs and informative boards scattered throughout the woodland.

West Rhodens Plantation is easily accessible, with ample parking facilities available nearby. It is a place where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature. Whether it's a leisurely stroll, birdwatching, or a family outing, West Rhodens Plantation offers a peaceful haven for all nature enthusiasts.

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West Rhodens Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.905571/-3.7535811 or Grid Reference NS9069. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View to Wind Farm

Sheep huddled at edge of field

Jim Smillie

Waterlogged track

A bit of nifty footwork to keep boots dry

Jim Smillie

Track across moorland

This led to Drumelzie, now a ruin

Jim Smillie

Through the woods

Some deciduous trees surviving along track in a conifer plantation

Jim Smillie

Improved grassland

Just east of Blawhorn Moss

Jim Smillie

Turbine at Drumduff Windfarm

Not being one to pore over detailed maps before heading out I assumed that the three turbines at Drumduff were part of the larger development at Burnhead, just North of here. The small windfarm is situated on the site of a former opencast coal mine. It has all been tidied up pretty well but the landscape still betrays its past, and is quite spellbinding in an industrial way. On the whole I'm all in favour of windfarms, though if several were proposed in my immediate vicinity I would probably be as hypocritical as most people! Here it seems to add to the surroundings. I always think it helps if they exist amongst what would be interesting enough surroundings anyway; it's when they are located in relatively featureless areas that they are at their bleakest. It is getting increasingly difficult to find accurate information for free online about a particular windfarm - a lot of independent data sites now require a subscription. From what I can gather though, the height of the turbines to blade tip is around 120 metres and their combined power generation comes in at somewhere between 6 and 8.55MW. The electricity reaches the grid via a big substation at Avonbridge three or four miles away. As usual with windfarms the ownership is a bit complicated. A company called Green Power, based in Alloa, owns a company called Green Breeze Energy which owns and manages this windfarm only. The bank Santander seems to be involved behind the scenes, though, making up the majority of the board at present.

Ian Dodds

Farm Ruins at Burnhead

This farm was in use - or at the very least a farm was in use at this spot - for either about 200 years, or 400 years plus. The confusion arises because maps from around 1800 up until the first OS map surveyed in the 1850s refer to this place as Easter Burnhead (the layout of the buildings is pretty much the same now as on that first OS map), no doubt to differentiate it from the nearby Wester Burnhead which these maps also show. All subsequent maps, and most pertinently those before 1800, only show a Burnhead though. So it is certainly possible that Wester Burnhead was the original Burnhead, and impossible to prove one way or the other due to the small scale of the early mapping. The original Burnhead pre-dates the oldest available online map of the area, which was drawn up around 1590. Apart from descriptions of both Wester and Easter Burnhead in the OS naming books which were compiled alongside their initial maps - a kind of gazetteer for every local area - I have found absolutely nothing about Burnhead online. Nor are there any pictures. While I understand the reasons why ruins like this are hardly ever afforded protected status, as opposed to, say, an unimpressive jumble of stones next to a small grassy mound believed to date from the early mediaeval period - principally there are numerous still-standing versions of the former about, along with a great deal of contemporary writing - I do think a few of these should be designated in every local area as they do greatly enhance the wonder of exploring the countryside.

Ian Dodds