Museums, archives and heritage in West Lothian

Linlithgowshire (or West Lothian), maritime county in SE. of Scotland; is bounded N. by Firth of Forth, SE. by Edinburghshire, and W. by Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire; greatest length, NE. and SW., 19 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 14 miles; area, 76,806 acres, population 43,510. The coast is low; the surface is varied, but there are few hills of any height; the chief rivers are the Avon on the W. and the Almond on the E. border. Much of the soil is fertile, and agriculture is in an advanced condition. Linlithgowshire is one of the richest mineral counties in Scotland, coal, shales, ironstone, freestone, limestone, &c., being very abundant. Paraffin oil is largely manufactured at Bathgate, Broxburn, and Uphall. The county contains 12 parishes, and 2 parts, and the parliamentary and royal burghs of Linlithgow (Falkirk Burghs) and Queensferry (Stirling Burghs).

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Millfield, Livingston Village

Livingston EH54 7AR

01506 414957

www.almondvalley.co.uk

Almond Valley welcomes you to a great family day out with friendly farm animals, green countryside, play areas and child friendly museum displays. Crawl through tunnels, hunt for fossils, explore secret works and invest your savings in Scotland’s famous shale oil industry.

Annet House Museum & Garden

143 High Street

Linlithgow EH49 7EJ

01506 670677

www.annethousemuseum.org.uk

On the upper floor the displays tell the story of the trades of the town, which includes textiles, leatherworking, distilling and chemicals. There is a video presentation telling the process of linen manufacture, an industry once important to Linlithgow. The garden extends over three terraces behind the house. It has been developed to show the uses of the garden when Annet House was first built with examples of some of the fruits, vegetables and herbs that might have been grown.

Bennie Museum

9-11 Mansefield Street

Bathgate EH48 4HU

01506 634944

www.benniemuseum.org.uk

The Bennie Museum opened in 1989 as a museum of Bathgate’s history and life. Special exhibitions are mounted on a regular basis, covering subjects as diverse as the annual Newlands Day Procession, local anniversaries, and subjects of general interest, such as toys.

Blackness Castle – Historic Scotland

Blackness Castle

nr Linlithgow EH49 7NH

01506 834807

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence; its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison.

Blackridge Community Museum

Blackridge Library, Craig Inn Centre

Blackridge EH48 3RJ

01506 776 347

goo.gl/4gDA6A

A community museum housed in the stable block of an old coaching inn. Open during library times, the museum relates the story of Blackridge’s coaching and travelling past.

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

Bo’ness Station, Union Street

Bo’ness EH51 9AQ

01506 825855

www.bkrailway.co.uk

This hidden gem, only 40 minutes drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh, is located in the historic town of Bo’ness. Our friendly staff will welcome you aboard one of our heritage steam or diesel-hauled trains and wish you a pleasant journey.

Collections: The collection is representative of Scottish railways from 1870 to the present day. There are 25 steam locomotives, 23 diesel locomotives, one electric locomotive, one electric and one diesel multiple units, 67 carriages and over 100 wagons.

Cairnpapple Hill – Historic Scotland

Torphichen

Linlithgow

01506 634622

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

One of the most important prehistoric monuments on the mainland of Scotland, Cairnpapple was used as a burial and ceremonial site from about 3000 to 1400 BC. Good views of east central Scotland may be had from the hill.

House of the Binns

Linlithgow EH49 7NA

0844 4932127

www.nts.org.uk/Property/House-Of-The-Binns

The House of the Binns stands as a living monument to one of Scotland’s oldest families, the Dalyells, who have lived here since 1612.

Kinneil Museum

Duchess Anne Cottages, Kinneil Estate

Bo’ness EH51 OPR

01506 778530

goo.gl/KcRvtR

Kinneil Museum is located in the 17th century stable block of Kinneil House and acts as an interpretative centre for Kinneil Estate. The exhibition ‘2000 years of history’ tells the story of the park from Roman times to the present day. Antoninus Pius, St Serf, Mary, Queen of Scots and James Watt are among the many historical characters associated with the estate.

Linlithgow Palace – Historic Scotland

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow EH49 7AL

01506 842896

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/places

The magnificent ruin of a great Royal Palace set in its own park and beside Linlithgow Loch. A favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens from James I (1406-37) onward.

Linlithgow Story

Annet House, 143 High Street

Linlithgow EH49 7EJ

01506 670677

www.linlithgowstory.org.uk

Pleasure palace of the royal Stewarts. The majestic royal palace of the Stewarts at Linlithgow today lies roofless and ruined. Yet the visitor still feels a sense of awe on entering its gates.

Collections: The collection is representative principally of the social history of the town with photographs and objects largely from the 19th and early 20th century.

Queensferry Museum

53 High Street

South Queensferry EH30 9HP

0131 529 4139

www.cac.org.uk/venues/queensmuse.htm

Situated in the historic former royal burgh of Queensferry, the museum commands magnificent views of the two great bridges spanning the Forth. Its collections trace the history of the people of Queensferry and Dalmeny, the historic ferry passage to Fife, the building of the road and rail bridges, and the wildlife of the Forth estuary.

West Lothian Archives

Archives and Records Centre, 9 Dunlop Square, Deans Industrial Estate

Livingston EH54 8SB

01506 773770

www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/2052/Archives

West Lothian Council Archives and Records Centre preserves and makes accessible records relating to the history of West Lothian.

West Lothian Local History Library

Heritage and Information Centre, County Buildings, High St

Linlithgow EH49 7EZ

01506 282491

goo.gl/QNDMwJ

For information on West Lothian’s history or heritage, visit the West Lothian Local History Library. The library holds tens of thousands of items relating to every aspect of West Lothian and its heritage.

Whitburn Community Museum

Whitburn Library, Union Road

Whitburn EH47 0AR

01506 776 347

goo.gl/4QS6sX

The history of Whitburn and its coal mining past are recreated in a permanent exhibition that can be accessed through the library. Temporary exhibitions are also held throughout the year.