A surprisingly mild autumn evening made perfect conditions for getting some steps in, enjoying fresh air, & sharing good company. The nights may be drawing in, but that doesn’t stop us getting out!
After welcoming Audrey on her first walk with the Ramblers, we set off from Livingston North Railway Station, following the railway line to Knightsridge. From there, paths beside Deer Park Golf Course led us into Dechmont Woods.
As dusk deepened, headtorches flickered on & the shadows of the trees stretched across the path — a reminder that this is not a place many would tackle alone at night. But that’s the joy of walking with a group: together, we explore places that might otherwise feel a little too mysterious.
In a clearing at the heart of the woods, we paused to revisit one of Scotland’s strangest local legends — the 1979 Dechmont Woods UFO incident. Even more than 40 years later, it still provokes fascination and debate.
Robert Taylor, a forestry worker for the Livingston Development Corporation, began his working day as usual on 9th November 1979. But what he encountered in these very woods became the only alleged alien encounter in the UK ever to result in a full police criminal investigation.
Taylor reported seeing a large metallic sphere, about twenty feet across, hovering just above the ground. His dog barked frantically as two smaller spheres emerged from beneath the craft and rolled toward him, attaching themselves to his legs and dragging him forward. He recalled strange hissing sounds and the smell of burning — and then, everything went black.
When he regained consciousness, the clearing was empty. Disoriented and shaken, he made his way home, where his wife called a doctor and the police. Investigators found unusual ground markings matching his account, and forensic analysis of his torn clothing supported his story. Throughout numerous interviews, Taylor remained calm, consistent, and firm in his belief about what he’d seen. He never sought fame or attention — and until his death, he never changed his story.
So, what really happened here? A misperception? A natural phenomenon? Or something not of this world?
Whatever the truth, his experience reminds us to stay open-minded, curious — and humble — about what we don’t yet understand.
Leaving the clearing with those thoughts in mind, we emerged from the trees under clear, starry skies and a brilliant moon. Just a couple of days earlier, October’s Harvest Supermoon had peaked — appearing up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. Traditionally, the Harvest Moon provided farmers with extra light to work by after sunset, marking the rhythm of the changing seasons.
Guided by this beautiful light, most of the group climbed to the summit of Dechmont Law, where the trig pillar offered panoramic views of Livingston’s lights and the surrounding towns. We spotted familiar constellations like The Plough & enjoyed chatting with a young family who had made the evening climb – a lovely reminder of how the love of adventure starts young.
Descending the hill, we regrouped with those who had taken the lower path & together followed well-lit streets back to our starting point. Everyone agreed it had been a wonderful evening walk – perfect way to unwind and leave the day’s stresses behind. Photo credit: John M & UT
Our next evening walk will be on Thursday 23rd October, we hope you can join us! Full details of this and other upcoming walks can be found on our Walk Programme on the website.
Natalie C
