Bo'ness lies on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth and the town centre is compact. It's worth having a look around the High Street as there are quite a few traditional shops. Also of interest is the Hippodrome Cinema which was opened in 1912 and reckoned to be Scotland's oldest picture house.
Make your way down to the harbour area which has been landscaped since closure to commercial shipping back in 1959. The path to Blackness begins here and basically hugs the shore all the way, barring a couple of minor detours. You may hear the toot of a steam train around the harbour area as this is the home of the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway Regular running takes place throughout the year over the five miles of track. Also recommended is a visit to the Museum of Scottish Railways which is situated just a short walk from the station.
Follow the shore path which briefly cuts inland on the outskirts of Bo'ness to bypass a boatyard. From here on it's coastal walking all the way to Blackness with occasional wooded stretches. Views across to the Fife side of the Firth of Forth can be enjoyed. Eventually Blackness Castle looms ahead, standing on a spit of land in the Forth. Visitor numbers have increased in recent years as the castle has featured extensively in the hit fantasy series Outlander.
The village has public toilets and the Blackness Inn offers refreshment. You can either walk back to Bo'ness by the same route or make use of the community bus service which runs four times daily Monday to Saturday. Timetables and fares can be found here.
