Kinneil Foreshore (3 miles)
The Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway runs regular heritage services during the warmer months. Bo'ness Station has been superbly created in period style and the café serves excellent food. There is a shop inside the main building and a vintage carriage further down the platform sells second-hand railway literature and memorabilia. The line runs 5 miles to Manuel where there is a junction with the main Edinburgh to Glasgow route. There are two intermediate halts: Kinneil and Birkhill. Alight at the former on the return journey and walk back in direction you came from. The path soon diverges away from the railway (do not cross the line on the cycleway). At the next junction, ignore the nature reserve circular route and bear towards the water instead.
Follow the shore towards the massive oil refinery at Grangemouth. Excellent views across the firth can be enjoyed and the area is a haven for bird life. A large lagoon on the left hand side is encountered after a mile which offers more possibilities for wildlife spotting. It's as well to turn back here as the industrial complex looms. Depending on your pace, it may be possible to hook up with the train on its return journey. Alternatively, walk the signed nature trail circular around a peninsula of land reclaimed from the mining industry. You can also skirt the true shoreline rather than follow the marked path. There is also a little tidal island which may be accessible. You can of course continue on foot along the coast back to Bo'ness (1 mile).
Back at the station, the Scottish Railway Museum is a mere stone's throw away. It is stuffed with exhibits and well worth a visit. A combined train and museum ticket is available. Take some time to wander around Bo'ness as the town has quite a few traditional shops. The restored Hippodrome cinema is the oldest purpose-built picture house in Scotland and features stunning architecture within. On the edge of town, the Corbie Inn offers a superb selection of real ales.
