Bathgate
(West Lothian)-
Bathgate
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Local Celebration
In 1841 Bathgate's population was recorded as some 300 residents. Up until this period, the main occupations of the town had been farming and weaving, in addition to some lime and coal quarrying. The towns population expanded quickly from this point however due to a number of factors. This included being located at the eastern border of the Lanarkshire Coalfield and being well positioned for the major ports of Glasgow, Leith and Grangemouth, and the closer Bo'ness.
In 1852 the Bathgate Chemical Works were established. This was following the discovery, by Dr James Young, of cannel coals in the Boghead area near Bathgate. The development of the Bathgate Foundry and George Wolfe's Shovel and Spade Factory went on to further enhance the areas existing industrial asset.
Following WW2 the coal industry in the area thrived for a short period, but following this the economy quickly expanded into knitwear and hosiery factories. This meant that for the first time the town wasn't entirely dependent on natural resources. By the late 1950s coal mining was on its way out, but the negative consequences were temporarily stemmed with the opening of the British Motor Company in 1964. This wasn't to last however and following the company's closure the town endured a significant economic slump throughout the 1980s.
Today Bathgate is the second largest settlement in West Lothian with a population of around 16,000 and around 6,500 properties. There are, however, plans in place to grow the town very rapidly over the next 10 years.
Bathgate is on an upward climb in many ways, and is well equipped for visitors and tourists. There are numerous reasons to visit the town.
Visiting Bathgate
Bathgate was once regarded as the shopping hub of West Lothian. However, with the development of Livingston's shopping centres and other out of town shopping the town has had to reinvent itself. Today, Bathgate is well on the way to successfully achieving this, and is now effectively placing itself as an attractive, traditional town centre.
One of Bathgate's greatest assets is the quality and diversity of its local businesses. It would be difficult not to find something that takes your fancy amongst this varied selection of retailers with specialist cake makers, bridal wear stores, florists and delicatessens. Your head will be spinning from the choice of gift shops, jewellers, coffee shops and quality clothing premises.
If you prefer a bit of shopping outdoors then Bathgate also has an established thrice-weekly open-air market, which is ideal for picking up a great bargain. The market is situated just off Whitburn Road and takes place on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10 - 4pm. In addition to this, the town holds a monthly farmers market on the third Saturday of each month in the Steelyard.
Bathgate offers food enthusiasts a decent selection of places to eat. You can enjoy Italian, Chinese, Indian and tasty Scottish cuisine. It is worth popping into the Cottage Restaurant and the Bruntonside Restaurant amongst others. For a drink afterwards there are also a generous number of bars to choose from, such as the New Royal Bar and the Ballencrieff.
For a bit of afternoon or evening entertainment it is worth heading down to the Regal Theatre. After an extensive refurbishment, which was completed in summer 2006, the theatre now always has a busy line-up of entertainment on offer. This ranges from rock, jazz & folk music performances to light-hearted pantomimes.
Beyond the food and the shopping there are plenty of sporting activities and attractions to keep you occupied. Ballencrieff Fishery is situated on the outskirts of Bathgate at Ballencrieff Toll, and has two reservoirs for you to use. There is also the Bathgate Sports Centre, which is the largest of all the leisure centres in West Lothian. Having undergone a significant renovation it now has all the latest facilities and equipment. With dance studios and sports halls, to the more laid back health spa and café, you'll enjoy the experience.
If you would like a chance to swing a club then The Bathgate Golf Club has a challenging 18-hole course in a beautiful setting. The club boasts a great track record for producing world-class golfers, with two members having reached Ryder Cup Captain status. Bathgate is also proud to have its own football team in Bathgate Thistle Junior Football Club.
If you fancy finding out more about Bathgate's past then you can visit the Bennie Museum. The exhibition is located in a quaint little cottage, and will tell you all about the history of the town. If you would like some local history that dates back thousands of years, then the Bathgate Hills will satisfy your appetite. Here you will find Cairnpapple, a 4,000-year-old ancient burial ground. Numerous historic stones further enhance this centrepiece, and remains of early buildings can also be found. The hills are located right beside the town of Bathgate, providing an easily accessed get away to locals and visitors alike.
For the overnight visitor, Bathgate offers a quality range of accommodation. The relaxed setting is complimented by regular entertainment which takes place in their popular downstairs bar, with quiz nights and live music every week.
Bathgate's calendar of events offers a busy programme throughout the summer. Two of its longest running activities are the West Lothian Highland Games www.westlothianhighlandgames.com , which has taken place since 1973, and the John Newland Festival. The town also pulls out all the stops on the run up to Christmas, making each year more memorable than the last. Christmas activities span over the first 3 weekends of December, making the town centre a vibrant place throughout the whole month.
* The above content has been generously provided by West Lothian Council