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A History
Updated 19 October 2011 Under construction Useful Map of Armadale and Area
On this page
See also Population for more names and statistics See also Woodend for map and population details See also Shops and Public Houses See also Employment and Industries
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| Quotations about Armadale and Area |
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In the days when the area was heavily forested, this description would have been very appropriate! "Frae Boghead Burn tae Boarbaughlee, Ane cat could loup frae tree to tree" Attributed to Thomas the Rhymer, Thirteenth Century |
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"There is only one place deserving the name of a village, viz. Armadale, two miles west from the town of Bathgate." |
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"ARMADALE, a village, in the parish of Bathgate, county of Linlithgow, 2 miles (W.) from Bathgate; containing 121 inhabitants. .... the population is employed in agriculture, and in the mines and quarries of the neighbourhood." A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland (1846), Samuel Lewis |
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"During the course of the century of Armadale's existence, the face of the district has entirely changed from that of sylvan beauty to a thoroughly industrial centre, employing many hands in various walks of life." Armadale: Past and Present by R. Hynd-Brown, 1906 |
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"Behind the Pentland Hills, an unseen sun sends shafts into a sky opaque and cold. The full moon is a wafer of ice that will soon dissolve...An incandescent glow begins burning on the distant Pentland Hills. A split second ago for the sun, but a hundred years ago, a new coach road was made between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and where the new road crossed the one going north and south, the village began..." from story published in Virginia Quarterly Review, Autumn 1945: Bright and Cheerful is the Day by Tom Hanlin , Armadale-born writer. |
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"Armadale, from the building of the first house in the year 1795 up to the year 1850, had grown very slowly. At the latter date it was a hamlet of a mere handful of straw thatched or red-tiled dwellings around the toll-bar, with Thomas Rankin's provision shop near the Cross as the central attraction and place of business." Armadale: Past and Present by R. Hynd-Brown, 1906 |
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"Armadale (as I remember it in the 1920s) was a small mining community with four main streets, Upper and Lower Bathville, and Station Road, served by a local bus owner Jimmie Aitken, who plied back and forth to pick up passengers from the railway station. Being a small community we knew almost everyone. There were three Protestant churches and a Roman Catholic church. Likewise two schools which produced many a fine scholar, who brought fame and distinction to the Burgh." Jenny Brown, born 1916, Rural magazine, June 1978 |
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In the 1960s, Dorothy Slater observed: "Armadale is a cross-roads town; its commercial core is at the cross-roads, with residential areas to the south and north-west. Its industrial belt is quite separate, in the region of Bathville, which is higher than the town itself, and which, for some time, was quite distinct from Armadale. Now, with the expansion of the town, it is within the Burgh boundary, but is still regarded as a separate district." The Third Statistical Account of Scotland Volume XXI, The County of West Lothian, ed by Patrick Cadell, 1992 |
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"Situated on the A89 west of Bathgate on the south ridge of the Barbauchlaw Glen, it was until the 1974 reorganisation of local government, one of the four towns in West Lothian with its own Council. The population level of around 10,000 is fairly stable with development and upgrading taking place constantly. In 1851 the population was 141 increasing to 3191 in 1891 and over 4,000 in 1906. On his elevation to the legal peerage in 1790, Sir Honeyman, Laird of Barbauchlaw took the title of Lord Armadale (from a village of that name [which] was on his estate in Sutherland), so finding a name for the new settlement was fairly easy. Perhaps not so important historically as the northern half of West Lothian, Armadale does possess its own charms." "Armadale became a police burgh in the 1860's because of a water crisis, but as late as 1886 there were still open sewers in the street, a water barrel at every house, pigs in the backyards, numerous slaughterhouses and the lack of pavements. Two world wars and the rapid industrial change have left their marks on Armadale, brief spells of prosperity could not halt the inevitable. Coal is no longer King, steel foundering and smelting demand less and the community looks to new industries for help, but despite these changes the population has remained steady and continued to grow." R.D. Dingwall, Vice-chairman, Armadale Community Council. Extract introducing Armadale, Armadale Town Guide 1989. |
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"The place name Armadale first appeared on maps of West Lothian in 1790, when the lands on which the town stands were purchased by Scottish Law Lord, Sir William Honeyman.....to which he could retreat at weekends from his busy law practice in Edinburgh. The distinctly rural nature of Armadale at this time is recalled by the name Barbauchlaw....a corruption of Boar Baughlee...a reminder that the Scottish kings, riding out from their royal palace at Linlithgow, used to enjoy hunting the wild pigs...... [Armadale] was still situated in peaceful, undisturbed farming country, of which the town's nickname of The Dale is still a reminder." Extract from Armadale in old picture postcards by William F. Hendrie |
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"With the upturn in fortunes of the [football] club on the field; the huge success of the local boys' club in recent years creating players of the future; and a major expansion of the town underway with the symbolic and practical effects of the return of the railway service, the future for Armadale and its favourite sport look bright." Extract from Our Town, Our Team ARMADALE......! Armadale Thistle Supporters' Club, 2006 |
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"A hamlet that mushroomed with the beginning of the mineral exploitation of West Lothian in the mid C19. Precious little to notice. Near the central crossing the Kerr Memorial Lamp Post of 1919 and the Mallace Memorial Clock Tower of 1924, with arcaded base attached to the street front and a curious louvred belfry. The only other buildings that do anything for the place are Ochilview Square, a red brick and harling, c1970, and the Community Centre, red brick and copper, which is by William Nimmo and Partners, 1971." Extract from The Buildings of Scotland, Lothian except Edinburgh, by Colin McWilliam |
 In Search of 'The Place' On a visit to the area in which 'The Place' (Barbauchlaw Manor House) was originally situated, accompanied by the knowledgeable Davie Kerr, we met Jim Black who told us about a pewter Draughts Club cup inscribed to 'William Hunter, Champion of Armadale'. Does anyone know anything about the Draughts Club? Where and when did members play? |
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Armadale's motto: Ferveant Opera (May their works flourish) Burgh Status and Commissioners The Commissioners of Armadale Burgh met on the 18 April 1864 in the schoolhouse. James Clark - Chairman; Robert Thomson, baker, - Senior Commissioner; Archibald MacDonald and Mathew Donaldson, both merchants, - Junior Magistrates of Police; George Sinclair, Solicitor of Bathgate, - Clerk to the Commissioners; Thomas Wilson - Treasurer; William Forrester, bookseller/stationer, - Collector of Rates. During that year, the group organised the creation of a water works and supply for Armadale. Burgh Seal 1916 - 7: it was agreed that Armadale would adopt The Burgh Coat of Arms (as shown in the Earl of Bute's book), with armorial bearings and heraldic devices. 1918 Armadale Burgh's seal die was received. It retained the third boar's head and the tree, representing James Wood's connection with the Burgh. Sir J Balfour Paul suggested the 'Ferveant Opera' motto, and the bill for the design, die and lever press (£57-2 shillings) was sent to James Wood as he had offered to donate a gift of arms and seal. |
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| CHIEF COMMISSIONERS AND PROVOSTS OF ARMADALE | |
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1862 - 1864: James CLARK
(dc1882?); Wester Inch Farm; company manager for J and J McLelland |
1917 - 1926: James Binnie GREIG
(1878 - 1947); hotel owner |
 1955: Queen Elizabeth II visits Armadale and is welcomed by the Provost, Will Ferrier |
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Overview Past and Present Chap I ; Chap II; Chap VIII
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Abbreviations for some of the sources of information about places in Armadale and its surrounding area (past and present)
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Barony of Barbaughlaw aka Barbauchlaw |
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1335 - 6: Balbaghlagh (Bain) 1336-7: Balbaghelathe (Bain) 1506: Balbachlo (HMC) 1558: Barbachlach (LC - 1614 RMS) ; Barbaychlaych (Reg Ho Ch); Barbachlaych (Reg Ho Ch); 1562: Barbauchlecht (SRS 57); Barbauchlaw (SRS 57 - 1616 RMS) 1566: Adam Cuthbart originally resident of Bawbauchloch 1577- 8: Barbachlay (SRS 1 - 1696 KS Linl) 1579: Barbachlaw (LC - 1697 SRS 40) 1584 - 1789: the Barony of Barbaughlaw was granted to the members of the Cochrane family by Royal Charter. A number of Cochrane family members held important judicial and administrative positions in Linlithgowshire. The seat of the Barbauchlaw Estate was referred to as The Place. It was situated to the north of the old Manse. 1584: James Cochrane became owner of the lands of Barbauchlaw. He was of the family of Cochrane of Dundonald in Ayrshire, and of Renfrewshire. 1587: James Cochrane of Barbauchlaw did not respond to conscription call, and was thereby declared guilty of treason. 1590: West Balbachla. 1614: Easter Balbachlaw. 1622: James Cochrane [?of Barbauchlaw] appointed Sheriff of Linlithgow. 1642: James Cochrane of Barbachla. 1651: Date on stone at Barbauchlaw Mill 1654: E Balbachla, W Balbachla (Blaeu map) 1657: The first Barbauchlaw Mill is believed to have been built in 1657 (?1651) 1691: Hearth Tax records showed that the Mansion House and office house of Barbachlaw had 14 hearths. The estate's tenants in Torphichen parish are shown as Brock (Tannochhead); Fleyming (Woodquarter); Marshell (Back of the Moss); Nimmo (Cante); Walker (Craigend and Gartmore). 1703: - 1710: Cochrane of Barbauchlaw was Sheriff of Bathgate. 1734: The last Royal Charter, which granted Barbauchlaw Estate to a Cochrane, was to Harry Cochrane. 1737: Banbachla (Adair Map) 1740s: Barbachly, E. Barbachly (Estate map) 1760 onwards: The first 2 feus sold by the Estate were in the Eastertoun area: William GARDNER, shoemaker (purchase 1760); John BROCK, butcher (purchase 1773) 1789: Harry, the last Cochrane of Barbauchlaw estate, died. 1790: A frequent question from website visitors: Why was the town called Armadale? The estate was auctioned by the Crown. Sir William Honeyman, distinguished advocate in Edinburgh High Court and land owner in Sutherlandshire, bought Barbaughlaw (Barbauchlaw) Estate on which the burgh of Armadale was built. It was named Armadale after the property he inherited from his mother in Sutherlandshire. 1795: 4 August: The first purchase of a feu from William Honeyman was by John RUSSELL, joiner / wright. His single-storey house and joinery workshop was erected west of Armadale Cross. By 1870, it had become a two-storey building, which was developed into the county police station in 1906. 1797: Sir William Honeyman became Lord Armadale (the same year as he sold the Estate of Harestanes to William Davidson). He was elected Senator of the College of Justice
He retired to Smyllum Park, Lanark. 1825: Lord Armadale died. Owners of the estate after Lord Armadale: 1813 - 1818: Andrew THOMSON 1818 - 1835: James DENNISTOUN 1835 - 1861: Alex DENNISTOUN c1861 - c1871: Alexander TURNER c1871 - c1881: John MOFFAT c1881-1893: George READMAN, administrative general manager of Clydesdale Bank. 1893-: George RE(A)DMAN ______________________________ Sale of the Superiorities of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup at Edinburgh on 8 August 1783. The set up of £281 11s 3d produced £1,350, reported in an article about The York Building Company in The Aberdeen Journal 9 January 1850. Sale of The Superiority of the Lands of Killicanty, Bridgehouse, Castle Birkenshaw, and Nether Hillhouse, all parts of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup, if not beforehand by private bargain, at Edinburgh on 12 August 1801 "rated in the cess-books at 407 l. 6s 8d Scots of valued rent, and yielding a feu-duty of 1 l. 15s 4d Sterling. Some of the vassals are in non-entry." Caledonian Mercury July and August 1801 Details of lands for sale in Linlithgow and Lanark included The Lands of Barbauchlaw and Ogilface: more particulars from Robert Wilson, accountant, Edinburgh, or Alexander Dalls, W.S., to be sold by public roup at the Royal Exchange Coffee House, 14 July 1813: Lot 1: THE LANDS of BARBAUCHLAW: 734 Scotch acres, 520
arable , remainder pasture / plantation. "The new Glasgow road passes
through Barbauchlaw lands for upwards of two miles, affording very easy
access to markets, and to Bathgate lime-works, which are at the distance
of about two miles. There is a good going colliery on the estate. The
lands are understood to be full of coal and ironstone of the best
qualities, and the Water of Barbauchlaw, which bounds the lands on the
north, has falls for driving machinery. Lot II: OGILFACE, (the farms of Woodend, Canties, Heights, small part of Barbauchlaw, (lying on the north side of Barbauchlaw water): 957 Scots acres, 686 arable and inclosed. "The lease of the farm of Woodend , which contains 440 arable acres, was granted for 42 years, and expires at Martinmas 1815, when a great rise of rent may be depended upon. the other leases also expire soon. These lands lie adjoining to Barbauchlaw, and, of course, have easy access to the great turnpike road, and to coal and lime." Caledonian Mercury 8 May 1813 Lot III: The FARMS of OVER HILLHOUSE (235 arable acres) and CRAIGENGALL, (416 acres, 310 arable, and inclosed) being parts of Ogilface and adjoining Lot II. Out of lease Martinmas 1816. Caledonian Mercury 8 May 1813 Sale details of The Lands and Barony of Barbauchlaw from Messrs Bannatyne and Kirkwood of Glasgow, dated 11 January 1861: The Lands and Barony of Barbauchlaw containing c932 acres, 66% arable and the remainder of c47 acres wooded/plantation. At the time the land was let to 5 tenants (aggregate rental of £534 7s 9d). Its minerals of ironstone and gas coal were let on lease and raised royalties of £1,264 17s. The land sale details mentioned that Torbanehill Mineral was being mined in neighbouring areas and Barbauchlaw's mineral tenants were working on a parrot coal of similar quality, and were sinking pits to increase the output. Armadale Village was described as 'rapidly expanding' and as it was feued off the Barbauchlaw estate, a large return from the feus could be expected. The income from felled timber yielded c£78 pa. The rental for 1860 was £2,038 12s 11½d (land rent at £534 7s 9d + Mineral rent at £1,284 17s + Feu-duties at £141 8s 2½d + Timber at £78). The lands were held of the Crown, the burdens being c£58 pa. "The Teinds are valued and exhausted." Upset price: Reduced to £32,000 (from £35,000 advertised October 1860 when it was stated that the mieral lease ran from 1853 for 19 years and royalties from that and the estate's freestone quarry = £1134 19s). By November 1861, the Barbauchlaw estate had been sold by private treaty. Sale details for farms forming the greater part of the Barony of Ogilface, Glasgow Herald 26 April 1865 The following were offered for sale by private bargain with a possibility of splitting into smaller lots: Woodend, Canties, Drumtassie, Drumelzie, Drumduff, Heights and Drumbowie. By July 1866, the Glasgow Herald advertisement for the above lands with or without their mineral rights was more detailed and persuasive. The acreage given for the farms was as follows: Woodend and Canties = 814.581; Drumtassie = 86.800; Drumelzie = 263.776; Drumduff = 80.573;, Heights = 266.460; and Drumbowie = 287.982. By March 1868, the farms of Woodend and Canties, Drumelzie and Heights were still for sale. ______________________________ BARBAUCHLAW: name derivation (sources The Place Names of West Lothian, and local historians' personal communication) Balbaghlagh (1335-6) Bain; Balbaghelathe 1336-7 Bain; Balbachlo (1506) HMC; Barbachlach 1558 LC et passim - 1614 RMS; Barbaychlaych (1558) Reg Ho Ch, Barbauchlaw (1562) SRS 57 et passim 1616 RMS, Barbauchlecht (1562) SRS 57; Bawbauchloch (1566), Barbachlay (1577/8) SRS 1 et passim - 1696 KS Linlith; Barbachlaw (1579) LC et passim - 1697 SRS 40, Balbachlaw (1590s). (1654 map: East Balbachla and West Balbachla; Barbauchlaw 1773, 1818; Barbauchlaw Place 1818) Other variations received: Barbachlay, Barbyclay, Barbackley, Balbaghlach, Balbaghelathe, Barbauchlaych) Suggested meanings of name:
Boar Stone: map ref NS 9233 6820: large natural boulder, 4m x c5.3m, embedded on a raised area of a field; Name Book 1856; NMRS No: NS96NW 2 |
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Harestanes Estate > Bathville Estate |
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Harestanes Estate was bought by William Davidson in 1797, ownership confirmed by a Charter of Confirmation 1819 (by General William Maxwell of Bellamonte, Superior of Bathville). Davidson changed its name to Bathville and built Bathville House in which he lived until 1820. (Harestanes=hare-a boundary stone, 1665- RMS; Hairstaines 1673; Hairstons 1691) (Bathville 1818, 1820) In 1846 James McHardy, then owner of Bathville Estate represented the area on the Parochial Board of Bathgate (a board which lasted until the 1890s) and Alex Wark, who farmed Bathville Farm served on the Board as McHardy's proxy. Bathville Estate was sold by trustees of James McHardy, who died c1850, to John Watson for £10,500 in 1859. 1860s T. W. and D. Watsons, coalmasters of Glasgow owned the Estate and its mineral rights until 1874 after which James Wood bought Bathville Estate and built a large mansion house on the estate Bathville House and Lodge: house burned down 1936 Bathville sawmill, owned by United Collieries, burned down May 1941 see also: Past and Present Chap I |
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Barony of Ogilface |
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Oggelfast 1165 - 1214Bann Club 70; Ogelfas 1165 - 1214Bann Club 70; Ogglysphas 1202 - 1238 Bann Club 69; Ogglysfas 1202 - 1238 Bann Club 69; Okelfas 1203 Bann Club 70; Ogilfas 1214 - 1249 Bann Club 70; Uggelfas 1303 Bain; Ogylface 1320 Bann. Club 89 - 1409 Bann. Club 70; Ogilface 1386 Bann. Club 70 - 1681 Purv. =high plain/field |
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Barony of Bridge Castle aka Bridgecastle |
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Barony of Bridgecastle
There is some confusion about the former keep and the dower house. The entry here reflects what has been found in the literature so far. Bridge Castle aka Bridgecastle aka Brighouse Castle, once of the regality of Ogilface, is now in the parish of Torphichen and is sited on the left bank overlooking Barbauchlaw Burn c 1½ miles north north-east of Armadale and half a mile south of Westfield, formerly near the head of the Blackstone and Boghead stage of the Monkland Railway. (The hamlet of Bridge Castle is c ¼ mile away from the mansion.) Later, the tower was extended southwards. It is believed that the original fortified keep dates from the 14th century, supposedly guarding the road bridge, which crossed Barbauchlaw Burn. In the early 1500s, the tower belonged to James Stewart and Helen Sinclair. The estate was sold to William, Lord Livingstone by Alexander Stewart in 1587 - 8. It is believed that, in the 1650s - 1660s, Oliver Cromwell stayed briefly at Bridgecastle when on business in the area. The estate with its buildings were forfeited after the 1715 rebellion by the Livingstone family for their share in the Jacobite Rising. It eventually passed to the Hope family of Hopetoun. (Shown on Roy's map as Brighouse Castle). In 1876 Brown and Wardrop extended the building and further alterations followed in 1889 and 1899. A new entrance was created via a pedimented Gothic arch, and more outbuildings were created. Map ref: NS 9435 7095 NMRS No: NS97SW 5 Hope family of Bridgecastle:
GB/NNAF/F80837 (Former ISAAR ref: GB/NNAF/F8320) Briggist (Bridge House: Brighows 1409 Bann Cl 70; Brighous 1409 Reg Ho Ch - 1635 Gill Ch; Brighouss 1539 SRS 57 - 1642 BM; Brighous: c1540 (Rent Tor) - 1588 (RMS); Brighouss 1560 (SRS 57) Brig house = dower house, 1582 on porch, 1656 lintel, harled, crowstepped; Brighouse 1563/4 SRS 57 - 1691 KS Tor; Brighousis 1568 Reg Ho Ch - 1636 RMS; Bridgehouse 1687 KS Tor - 1698 SRS 40; Brighouse - Roy 1747-55 ) (Little Bridgehouse: Litill Brighows 1426 Bann. Cl. 70; Litill Brighous c1540 Rent Tor - 1588 RMS; Litill Brighoss 1560 SRS 57.) (Mickle Bridgehouse: Mekyll, Mekill, Mekle Brighous c1540 Rent Tor - 1588 RMS, -houss 1560 SRS 57) (Bridgehouse Mains: Brighousemaines 1673 KS Tor; Bridgehousemaines 1684 SRS 40; Bridgehousemains 1687 KS Tor) maps: Brighouse 1737, Blaeu; Adair; Roy; Gordon; On the corner of Bridgehouse Farm land, opposite Brighouse Mansion is Bridgehouse Castle. Brighouse Mansion was originally built on the west side of the Bathgate-Falkirk Road. In 1629 it was demolished and the stones were moved to the new stones to be used for building. Mansion dates from 3 periods:
Eventually converted into a hotel about which there were rumours of a grey phantom lady, then converted into flats. In the 1880s, Groome described the mansion with its ancient castle in the 'southwestern vicinity of the mansion'. However, in a Scotsman article ('Home in on a castle', by Fiona Reid, 16 November 2006) it was stated 'the three-storey 16th-century keep was incorporated within the mansion house, having been linked by an arch to the 17th century block which in turn was added to in 1870s, 1889 and 1899.' Sale of The Superiority of the Lands of Killicanty, Bridgehouse, Castle Birkenshaw, and Nether Hillhouse, all parts of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup, if not beforehand by private bargain, at Edinburgh on 12 August 1801: "rated in the cess-books at 407 l. 6s 8d Scots of valued rent, and yielding a feu-duty of 1 l. 15s 4d Sterling. Some of the vassals are in non-entry." Caledonian Mercury July and August 1801 |
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Torphichen Preceptory Thorphechin 1165; Torfekin 1199 = magpie hill / small farm? |
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Farms and Farmers in Armadale Area*
*(as far north as River Avon, west to Bedlormie, south to Torbane; east to Bathgate boundary) Please note that where dates are given with a name, they usually refer to a map of that date on which they appear. Work is ongoing, and so records of the farm histories are far from complete. |
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Details of land
and names shown on A Plan of the Lands of Wood
Quarter, Easter and Wester Craigs and Craigengaw in the Shire of
Linlithgow belonging to the Right Honourable The Earl of Hopetoun
(at the right-hand corner there were calculations about acreage associated
with the land shown and a direction to see the general plan of the whole
surveyed and calculated 1759 - 1760, John Leslie's plan)
There was some difficulty in reading names, and so there may be errors. Hopefully, they can be corrected as more information comes to light. Acreage of farms: Wood Quarter contained over 774 acres; West Craigs over 74 acres; East Craigs over 227 acreas; Craigengaw over 430 acres. Feued Ground: Wood Quarter over 159 acres; West Craigs over 5t94 acres. There was also a note that it was not known if a small feu (of Woodquarter, nr New houses and Wood End Steading) had been included with Wood End as it should have been in the calculation. Stony hill Blair - Muck Ground: Sir J. INGLIS West Craigs - 3 feus Ground of West Craigs, Feued. Hair Craig. Black Rigg Easter Reidburn: Robert ARTHUR Craig of Oggleface. Craighill. White Stone. East Craigs. Big Park. Broadgreens - Little Park Backside Woodquarter: HAILSTONE. Tannoch. Tunnoch. Edinburgh Road. Craighead - LESLIE Craighill Part of East - Jo LESLIE ? Lanhead - Ja. PENDERS Back of Moss - James WILLSON Drumduf - Mr. MILLER Drumele - ADDIEs feu Wester Drumbuie - James MORTON Drumbuie - Wm ADDIEs feu Drumcrue - Wm ADIE Lin-end - Wm ADIE Roddens and Heights Wt. Canty - Jo. GREENLY Easter Canty - John THOMSON Easter and Wester Drumtassie - John HASTIE, Wm BLACK Berry Yeard - AD...IE Wester Brow - John GILCHRIST Andrew's Yard - James WALKER Eastbrow - John WAUGH Craighead - Geo INGRAM Craigengaw - Jo OAR Cairney - Ro. MARSHAL Muckraw, Cowden Brea - Mr. BENNET Brighouse - John WARDROBE East Brow - ?FLEEMING Hethre Slap - Willm COWAN Hillhouse - WATKINS Overhillhouses. Overhillhouse - William BAILLIEs. ?John WALKER Ground of Nether Hillhouse: Mr MILLER of Monkcastle Ground of Birkenshaw - John KING Newbiggings - Wm BAILIIE Ground of Craig Marie - J(?) WARDROPs feu Gartmore. Walter TAYLORs. Woodend. Wood Quarter. RUSSLEs. St. of Wodqter Craighead Woodqtr Tun Woodquarter - EDEN Woodend. Wood End. New Houses q? Jo.GLEN. Land of Bedlormie. Mill Barbachly Ground. Barbauchlaw Ground.. Mill of Barbachley Slack Burn The Muir Burn Craigengal Burn Drove Loan Logie Water or Craig Water |
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Farms and Farmers in the Armadale - Blackridge Area At present these are merely rough notes and some places around Bathgate have been included for the moment |
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Farmers and Farms in the Armadale Area in 1841 Arbuckle of Muirhall, Bell of Terrereoch, Bell of Whiteoakbrae, Brock of Boarbachlaw Mains, Brock of Netherhillhouse, Bryce of Torbanhill, Gentleman of Craigmyre, Inglis of Standhill, Liddell of Craigmill, More of Overhillhouse, Murray of Springfield, Orr of Boarbachlaw Mill, Peat of Staneridge, Pollock of Colinshiel, Purves of Netherhouse, Sawyers of Newhouse, Sinclair of Cowdenhead, Waddell of Hillhouse, Waugh of Birkenshaw, Waugh of Hetherfield, Waugh (flax miller) of Birkenshaw Mill |
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Production of farms: hay, silage and grazing crops; animal husbandry: beef and dairy cattle, sheep |
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Estates (and their owners) where farms were situated in Armadale and surrounding area in 1856 Polkemmet: Sir William Baillie = (P); Couston: Sandilands = (C); Hopetoun: Earl of Hopetoun = (H); Barbauchlaw: A. Dennistoun = (D); Boghead Estate: T.D. Weir = (B); Torbanehill: Gillespie (TH); Torbane: W. Johnston = (T); Trees: Shaw = TR |
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(Ortus Andree 1386 Bann Cl 70; Andrewsyard 1409 Reg Ho Ch; Androis zardis 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental; lie Androis-yardisSRS52; Androis-yairdis 1588 RMS; Andro(w)(i)sya(i)rdis 1573 SRS 52 - 1627 RMS; Androse Yeards 1667 Dund B; Andrewsyeards 1674 KS Tor; Andrewsyards 1681 SRS 40.) 1707: Andrews yards: John Walker Map: Andrewsyeards - 1737; Andrews Yds - 1773 See Gowanbank |
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Avoncrook |
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Back o' Moss 1690s: Robert Marshell tenant; Back a moss (Roy's map); Back of moss (1773 map) |
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Backmuir Roy, Armstrong and Forest's maps; 1841: farmer YOUNG |
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Balgornie (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856: Tenant : R. Russell) Farm in mire/bog=baile, gronn 1773 and 1818 maps |
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Balmitchell: 1654 Blaeu map |
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Balmuir (C: Couston Estate 1856: Tenant: James Peat) Baymuir (Roy's map) Bymuir (Armstrong's map); Balmuir (Forest's map) big farm=baile, mor |
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Barbauchlaw Estate For Lands of Barbauchlaw information see earlier on this page. |
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Barbauchlaw Mains (D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856 Tenant: William Brock, buried Kirkton Graveyard 1855). 1862: Mrs Brock was resident at the farm when it was offered for let: 165 acres imperial, 157 acres arable, with 'commodious' offices and entry at Martinmas 1862. Demolished 1992 to make way for housing |
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(D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856) Tenant: Thomas Harvie/Hervie Barbauchlaw Mill was a corn mill with a mill lade and sluice. It had a 28 foot diameter wheel. It stopped production in 1919. Nearby were stepping stones and old quarries. Phineas Bennie may have been the miller in 1651. Helen Bell, daughter of Robert died in Barbauchlaw Mill in 1789. 1790 - 1800: The farmhouse at Barbauchlaw Mill was built. Barbauchlaw Farm was demolished c1951/2 in order that council housing could be built.
The Weir Family at Barbaughlaw (Barbauchlaw) Farm |
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Barntoun originally Eastertoun 1737 map |
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Barracks (1851 Berwick) 1841: labourer BUCHAN;1851: weaver MORROW; 1891: miner |
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Bathgate Muir |
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Bedlormie 'badlormy' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental 1690s: Robert Walker; John Thomson Bedlormie Mains was a typical bonnet laird's house (the collector of tenant crofter rents), which was acquired by Sir Alexander Livingston of Ogilface. (Badlormy 1424 (LC - 1597 KS Tor): Sir John Murray of Ogilface granted lands of Bedlormie to Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine; passed on to Lords Livingstone of Callendar and Earls of Linlithgow via Sir Alexander Livingston of Ogilface.) Badlormie 1567 SRS 52 - 1677 SRS 40; Bedlormy 1683 KS Car; Bedlormie 1698 KS Tor, = a particular place; a clump of trees) 1697 KS Tor; Roy and Armstrong maps Between the 17C and the 19C, the old house became a shorter, L-shaped house with a topped stair-tower and open ground floor. The last of the male line of Bedlormie and Westquarter died 1853 (also was last Keeper of Linlithgow Palace). See also Green of Badlormy on Roy's map. 1841: no tenant; 1988: BREWSTER Westerton of Bedlormie: BREWSTER, KIRKWOOD
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Bedlormie House 1856: Built west of Blackridge by Robert Young, a cousin of James 'Paraffin' Young. Robert ran one of the stagecoach lines that operated between Edinburgh and Glasgow. He took the name from Bedlormie mains and built the house on Wester Redburn farm land. 1890: Purchased by James Wood of United Collieries. Under his ownership, trees were planted and the quarry was filled so that a curling pond could be constructed. Because of electricity being brought to the colliery, Bedlormie House was one of the first in the area to have this benefit. The west wing was also added to the house. 1935: Douglas Tennant, owner of Caldercruix papermills, bought the estate. |
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Bentyfaulds Bentyfaulds (Armstrong's map); Bentyfauld (Forest's map) =?fields covered by bent grass |
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Birkenshaw Sale of The Superiority of the Lands of Killicanty, Bridgehouse, Castle Birkenshaw, and Nether Hillhouse, all parts of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup, if not beforehand by private bargain, at Edinburgh on 12 August 1801: "rated in the cess-books at 407 l. 6s 8d Scots of valued rent, and yielding a feu-duty of 1 l. 15s 4d Sterling. Some of the vassals are in non-entry." Caledonian Mercury July and August 1801 Tenant 1838: Mr Waugh It had a mill lade, mill dam, footbridge and a ford. 'byrkinschaw' Torphichen rental 1539-1540; Birkinschaw 1540-1 RMS - 1591 HMC; Birkinshaw 1667 Dund B; Brekinschaw 1541 Linl Sh C 1563 RMS; Birkenschaw 1565 SRS 62; Birkenshaw 1571 Gill Ch; 1694 KS Tor; 1773, 1818=birch-wood) Birkenshaw Mill (Wakmill - Roy's map; i.e. Waulkmill (Tor)) Birch wood - Bircen, sceaga
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Blackdub renamed Netherhouses in 19th century Blackdubb (Roy); Blackdub (Arm, For) =muddy pool |
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Blackfaulds Blakfald 1539 -1540 (Rent Tor); Blackfaulds 1580 (SRS 1); Black fauldis 1590/1 (RMS); Blackfauld 1607 (RMS); Blackfauld(s) (1667 Dund B - 1684 KS Tor) Black folds - Blaec, Fal(o)d |
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Blackrig Blackrig 1581 SRS1; Blackrig Roy and Armstrong maps; Blackridge Adair and Forest's maps Blackridge Home 1988: Kirkwood |
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Boards 1988: J KIRKWOOD |
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Bogend 1988: M STEEL |
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Boghead Farm (TH: Torbanehill Estate 1856: Tenant: William Steven) ( Le Boghede 1512/3 (?RMS); Bogheid 1552 - 1596; Bogheid of Baythcat 1567; Boighead 1649; Boghead 1667; Bogghead - 1737 map;Boghead - Roy); 1773 map). Boghead, which belonged to the Robertson-Durham family, was demolished in 1962, leaving behind a rectangular doocot and a lodge building. Cannel coal was first mined on this estate by Paraffin Young. =top of the bog Estate of Boghead and Whiteside Owned and ccupied by Thomas Durham, d1730, and then by descendants. 1850s: gt gt grandson, Thomas Durham Weir of Boghead improved the land by draining part of the bathgate bog, which had affected his land and that of his neighbours at Boghall, Boghead, Inchcross, Meadowside, Mosside. His efforts were funded by the Inclosure Commissioners of England and wales via the 1846 Public Money Drainage Act. He then sold sections of the land for to developers for mineral extraction . 1851: the world's first oil works were established at whiteside by james 'Paraffin' Young. |
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Bogside 1841: farmer AULD |
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Braehead (east of Bridgehouse castle, sw of Baymuir) Roy, Armstrong, Forest's maps Top of the slope - Bra, heafod Brae Mill: Brae Mylne 1666 (KS Linl) |
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Brigend Bridgend: (1571 Temp); 1654 Blaeu map |
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Bron (West of Weitakers - 1773 map) |
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Brownrig 1773 map |
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Burnhead Burnhead (Pont's map); 1654 (Blaeu); Burnehead (1696); Burnhead 1737 map; Burnas Heafod = top of the stream |
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Canty / Cante / Canties
Cantiscragis 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental; 1690s: John Nimmo; 1690s: James Lightbodie the younger; tenants; 1841: farmer GENTLEMAN |
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Cocksmuir |
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Colinshiel (C: Couston Estate 1856: Tenant: Shotts Iron Co.) (Collinshield- Roy, Armstrong; Colinshield- Forrest)1750; 1773;=Colin's cottage)
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Compton (SE of Medrigg, N of Hardhill Road) 1747 map |
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Cowdenhead (D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856 Tenant: George Sinclair) (Coldounheidis 1614 LC; Cowden Head- Armstrong) 5" high food vessel in a short stone kist with unburnt remains found on farm 1905; 1988: J ORR |
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Craigengall (Cragyngall 1426; Cragingaw 1540; 'cragingalle' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental) Lot III: The FARMS of OVER HILLHOUSE (235 arable acres) and CRAIGENGALL, (416 acres, 310 arable, and inclosed) being parts of Ogilface and adjoining Lot II. Out of lease Martinmas 1816. Caledonian Mercury 8 May 1813 1845 Peter Sawers Esq of Craigengall, article Glasgow Herald Henry Sayers Esq of Overhillhouse and Craigengall d 5 Oct 1867 Remaining land potentially containing minerals advertised to let, October 1860 Glasgow Herald |
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'craginnwy' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental |
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Craigmarry; Craigmarie; Craigmarry (Craigmarrie 1607 RMS; 1668 SRS 40; Craigmarvie 1614 RMS, 1662 Ret; Craigmawie 1662 RMS; Craigmary 1685 KS Tor - 1688 SRS 40; Craigmarie 1687 SRS 40; Craigmarry - Roy 1747-55) Craigmary = Mary's Rock, rock of slaughter, dead men's rock Watson suggests it may be Craggenemarf that referred to in a charter of David I's reign to the Abbey of Holyrood at its foundation (Craggenemarfe 1391 Reg of Gt Seal; also Craiginmarf in 1184 Papal Bull to the Abbey of Holyrood) |
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Craigmill 1841: labourer LIDDELL |
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Drum Farm (T: Torbane Estate 1856: Tenant: James Brodie) |
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Drumbeg (Drumbuy 1682; Drumbegg 1750; Drumbegg - Roy; Drumbeg - Armstrong, Forrest = little ridge) 1690s: John Whytlaw; BREWSTER; 1988: McNEE |
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Drumbowie (Drumbowy 1643 RMS; Drumbowie 1667 Dund B; Drumbuy KS Tor - 1668 SRS 40; Drumbui 1697 SRS 40, 1699 KS Tor; = yellow ridge) Feuars, 1690s: Thomas Eadie and Eadie snr Drumbuiburne Feuars, 1690s: Henry Tailor |
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Drumcowie? 1841: farmer HAYS |
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Drumduff (Drumduffe 1667 Dund B; Drumduff 1685 KS Tor = black ridge) Feuars, 1690s: David Tennant; William Tennant; 1841: farmer YOUNG |
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Drumelzie aka Drumelgie (Drummelly - Roy; Drumellzie - Armstrong; Drummillie - Forrest) 1690s: Robert Russell, tenant; John Black; William Eadie, feuar; 1841: farmer HAY; KIRKWOOD |
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Drumlyon 1690s: James Scott; 1841: farmer McCALLUM |
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Drumtassie (Drumtasie 1686 KS Tor; Drumtassy - Roy; Drumtassie - Armstrong, Forrest = ridge of wetness) Feuars, 1690s: John Mungell; 1841; farmer YEATS |
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East(er) Drumtassie 1841: farmer MAIN |
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East Redburn 1841: farmer Marshall; 1988: T BOYES |
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Estcrag 1539-1540 Rent Tor |
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Eastoun (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant: J. Russell) (1773 map) |
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Eastertoun (originally Barntoun) |
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Eldrickside 1841: farmer BINNY |
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Forrestburn 1988: M STEEL |
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Gatemuir Gaitmor 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental |
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Gentlemanside |
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Gowanbank (= daisy + bank) (1842-1862) It was owned by Walter Gowans, described variously as an engineer, a builder, a mason, quarrymaster. His son, born Blackness 1821, became a pioneer of rail- and tramways, and was knighted Sir James Gowans, for organising the 1886 Edinburgh International Exhibition. He trained as an architect with David Bryce, and also worked on his father's house. He has been described as owner/lessee of most of Scotland's main quarries while also being cited as a pioneer of early tramways and railways. He died in 1890.. The farmhouse dates from c1820 and was extended into a U-plan shape with corbel dotted roof, ashlar chimneystacks. It was later restored and converted into 5 houses by William A Cadell Architects and Douglas Davidson Architect.. See also Andrew's Yard |
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Gowkstane Farm (near the Atlas works and Mayfield): Gowkstane Minerals (Gowkstone Armstrong 1773= cuckoo's stone ) |
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Haggies Slap See Over Hillhouse |
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Hardhill (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant: John Millar (The Hardhill 1583/4 SRS1; 1630; 1773; Harrhill ) (Little Hardhill 1818) |
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Heights 1841 farmer MAIN; GALLOWAY |
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Hill 1988: A ORR |
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Hillhouse (Nether/East) See Wheatacres |
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Kelmanhead 'brus of Kylmanheid' 1539-1540 Rent Tor |
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Killicanty (Culycanty 1426 Reg Ho Ch; Killycanty 1539-40 Tor Rental; Killicante 1540 -1 RMS - 1698 KS Tor; Killecante 1552 SRS 57; Culicant(i)e 1567, 1568 SRS 52; Killi(e)cantie 1591 HMC - 1687 KS Tor; Kil(l)icanty 1691 - 1694 KS Tor; = probably wood on headland/hill) 4 Jan 1649: Parliamentary Record refers to Patrick Young of Killicantie (1649/1/329; ref NAS. PA2/24, f.224v-225r) 1662: Middleton's fine for the Young individual living at Killicantie was £1,200. Sale of The Superiority of the Lands of Killicanty, Bridgehouse, Castle Birkenshaw, and Nether Hillhouse, all parts of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup, if not beforehand by private bargain, at Edinburgh on 12 August 1801: "rated in the cess-books at 407 l. 6s 8d Scots of valued rent, and yielding a feu-duty of 1 l. 15s 4d Sterling. Some of the vassals are in non-entry." Caledonian Mercury July and August 1801 Farm on the Bridgecastle Estate. See Woodbank |
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Knows / Nose |
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Langside 1841: farmer STEEL; 1988: McNEE |
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Little Boghead between Durhamtoun and Bathgate 1856: farmer William STEVEN |
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Little Drumbeg 1841: farmer HENDERSON |
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Loan 1988: R McNEE |
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'Lugy bray' 1539-1540 Rent Tor See Wheatacres |
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Muckraw Farm and 'ancient' hunting lodge.
It is said that that the lodge was originally a building measuring 60' x 18', divided into 3 apartments, which provided accommodation for royal and noble individuals who enjoyed hunting deer and boar. 'mukraw with the pendiculis' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental Date: 23 Feb 1590/1591 Repository: National Archives of Scotland Ref No: GD18/525 Title: Contract between Mr. John Nicolson, advocate, and Mungo Tennent of Muckraw, whereby said Mungo binds himself to infeft said John in eight tenth parts of a fourth part of lands of Lesuaid, three parts of another fourth part, and the 40s. lands of Lesuaid, reserving to said Mungo his life rent of said lands. Date: 24 Feb 1590/1591 Repository: National Archives of Scotland Ref No: GD18/526 Title: Procuratory of Resignation by Mungo Tennent of Muckraw, of lands of Muckraw and lands in GD18/525.
Date: 9 Nov 1613
Repository: National Library of Scotland Ref No: GD1/117/1 Date: 23 June 1670 Repository: National Archives of Scotland Ref No:GD332/9 Title: Precept of clare constat by George Lord Ross of Halkheid and Melvill, as superior, directed to Walter Scott of St. Leonards, as bailie, for infefting Robert Arthur, portioner of Ballcastell, grandson (nepos) of deceased Agnes Tailzeour, spouse of deceased Robert Arthur of Balcastell, and sister-lawful of deceased John Tailzeour, granduncle of said Arthur, and John Marshall, eldest lawful son of John M., in Blairmucks, procreated betwixt his and deceased Elizabeth Neilsone, only lawful daughter of deceased John Neilsone, in Muckraw, precreated betwixt him and deceased Katherine Tailzeour, also lawful sister of said deceased John Tailzeour, granduncle of said John Marshall, as two of the heirs-portioners in two parts of the three parts of the one-fourth part of half of the eighth part of the £10 lands of Morowingsyd [Muiravonside] called Coxhill. Written by John Grahame, servitor to Mr Andrew Ker, clerk of Linlithgow; dated at Edinburgh 23 June, 1670; witnesses said Mr Andrew Ker, and John Dick, in Midlequarter. Repository: National Archives of Scotland Ref No: RHP6267 Title: Ordnance Survey 1/2500 plan (Linlithgowshire, IV.16), marked to show the farm of Muckraw. c 1890 (Mukrath 1386 et passim Bann Cl 70; Mukrach 1409 Reg Ho Ch; Muckraw 1559 SRS 57 - 1688 SRS 40; (The) Muckraw c1540 Rent Tor - 1644 Cat Tor; Mukra 1626 RMS; Muckrae 1675 KS Tor; Mockra 1643 RMS;=Pig Farm |
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Masshouses / Mosshouses 1841: farmer GRAHAM; 1988: TAYLOR |
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Muirhall (C: Couston Estate 1856: Tenant: James McDonald) (Muirhall - Armstrong, Forrest, = farmhouse on the moor; Killycanty 1426, Kaillyfranky) See Woodbank |
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Nether Hillhouse Farm 'Nethir hilhouss' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental Sale of The Superiority of the Lands of Killicanty, Bridgehouse, Castle Birkenshaw, and Nether Hillhouse, all parts of the Barony of Ogilface by public roup, if not beforehand by private bargain, at Edinburgh on 12 August 1801: "rated in the cess-books at 407 l. 6s 8d Scots of valued rent, and yielding a feu-duty of 1 l. 15s 4d Sterling. Some of the vassals are in non-entry." Caledonian Mercury July and August 1801 |
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Netherhouses (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: William Purves/Purvies) Formerly Blackdub where James Davie, covenanter, was killed by Dragoons in 1679. (Blackdubb - Roy; Blackdub - Armstrong, Forrest) |
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'ouerweitakyr' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental |
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Nethermoor (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant: John Murray |
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North Couston (C: Couston Estate 1856: Tenant: John Tod) Couston Castle, built ?early 17C (now in ruins) near North Couston Farm between Bridgecastle and Bathgate. Isobel Sandilands (eldest daughter of the Hon William Sandilands, 3rd son of John, Lord Torphichen) was born here in 1682. She married Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick of Closeburn and one of their great grandaughters married Count Montijo. Their daughter, Eugenie marie Ignace Agustine de Suzman was born in 1826, and she married Prince Louis Napoleon, later Napoleon III, thereby becoming Empress Eugenie. |
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Northrigg Farm Northrig - Roy 1747-55; North Rig - Forest 1816; Northrig - Ainslie; Northrig - Thomson 1820 ; Northrig - OS Survey 1855-1860; 1988: I SCOTLAND |
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Ogilface Craigs 1988: PRENTICE |
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Over Hillhouse 'Vuer hilhouse' 1539 - 1540 Torphichen Rental 1684: Patrick WALKER of Overhilhouse married Elizabeth ANDREW of Bathgate Lot III: The FARMS of OVER HILLHOUSE (235 arable acres) and CRAIGENGALL, (416 acres, 310 arable, and inclosed) being parts of Ogilface and adjoining Lot II. Out of lease Martinmas 1816. Caledonian Mercury 8 May 1813 Henry Sayers Esq of Overhillhouse and Craigengall d 5 Oct 1867 Haggies Slap is believed to be the farm on or near the above farm Hagisslap 1682 KS Tor; Hagisslape 1683 KS Tor; Hagislap 1683 KS Tor; Haggislap 1683 KS Tor; Hagieslop - Armstrong; Haggies Slap - Forrest = boggy pass) |
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Raiziehill 1988: T DUNN |
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West Redburn THOMPSON |
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Righead East Righead |
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Snipedub |
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South Couston (C: Couston Estate 1856: Tenant: James Waddell) |
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Southrigg Farm Southrig - Ross 1773; South Rig - Forest 1816; Southrig - Thomson 1820; Southrig - OS Survey 1855-1860; 1988: D CLELLAND
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Springfield (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: William Murray) |
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Standhill (D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856 Tenant: James Jardine) (lie Standhill 1549 RMS; Standhill 1649 Dund B; Stone Hills 1773, Standhill 1818=stone hill) 1820s: Robert Gardner; 1988 (1): McNEE; (2) J ORR |
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Stonerigg (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Alex Ruthven) 1858: bought by John Calderhead. (Stoneridge - Roy; Stonerig - Armstrong1773; Stone Rigg - Forrest) Southrigg Pits employed 400 - 500. Their produce was washed at Westrigg. |
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Tannoch
The remains of Tannoch Farm, photo courtesy of Andy Brownlie (see his Leslie/Wark posting on the Family History page for more information and John Leslie's letter (Tannach from Tamhnach, a green fertile field especially in area of waste of heather; Tanoch 1684 SRS 40; Tenoch - Roy; Tannach-1773, Armstrong; Tennoch - 1818, Forrest=green/fertile field, particularly where surrounding ground is wasteland) Coach road called Tannoch road at this point (pronounced 'tunnoch'). Believed to be the staging post for coaches. 1690s: James Lightbodie the elder; 1841: basketmaker IRVINE; 1851: occupied by Robert McGregor, gamekeeper. Gamekeeper's cottage until between 2 World Wars Tannochead Henry Brook |
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 Tarrareoch Farm (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Miller/Millar) (Torreoch 1500 HMC; Terryryoh Adair; Taririoch Roy; Tarryoch Armstrong; Taryreoch Forrest1818 = grey/brindled hill) |
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Tippethill (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Peter Walker) (Tippethill, Teepit Hill=crested/tipped hill) |
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Todholes |
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Torbanehill Mains (TH: Torbanehill Estate 1856: Tenant: D. Millar) Sold by James Wardrop in 1786. Estate described as 'lying in the parish of Whitburn upon the great road from Edinburgh to Glasgow, within a quarter of a mile of the town of Whitburn and a mile and a half of the town of Bathgate; consisting of about 370 Scots acres and yielding about 220 L sterling of rent. Upon the lands of Torbanehill there is a genteel modern house and offices, built within these seven years, and surrounded by a lawn, well laid out and neatly kept. The houses and policy were designed by the ingenious Mr Robertson.' Edinburgh Evening Courant, 6 March 1786 c1928: House demolished as part of preparations for the construction on the new road. Torbanehill Farm: Alexander Wardrop b1850 Whitburn wrote about it:
'We'll awa to Torbanehill Torbane (T: Torbane Estate 1856: Tenant: P. Salmond) (Torbane=white hill; 1335; Torbeane 1649 |
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East Torrance 1988:T ORR West Torrance 1988: Ian ORR |
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Trees Farm (TR: Trees Estate 1856: Tenant: William Shaw) Trees Minerals(1818). The farm had a draw-well and standing stone and hare (boundary) stone |
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Watacre (Easter; Wester) |
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Wheatacres For sale at Faculty hall, St George's Place, Glasgow on 7 November 1860: 3 Lots promted as capable of great improvement by drainage etc and potentially possessing valuable minerals as Blackband Ironstone and Gas Coal were being mined in the neighbourhood. The LANDS of WHEATACRES (107Acres 2R 24 P) possessed by Archdeacon Waddell and James Main. Upset Price £3,250; arable lands leases of Wheatacres farms expired at Martinmas 1861; leases of houses s and pastures at Whitsunday 1861. The LANDS of LUGGIEBRAE (29 Acres 2R 9P) possessed by James Foster, upset price £720; lease only had another two years to run. The LANDS of EAST HILLHOUSE (145 Acres 3R 12P) possessed by James Main jnr, upset price £4,500; lease to run for another nine years at £146 rental. |
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Waterside 1773 map |
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Westcraigs |
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Westermains Farm |
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Westfield 1773 1841: farmer GARDNER |
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West Bedlormie 1841: farmer BLACK; hay and beef |
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West Middlerig (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant: R. Waugh) (Middlerig 1649 Dund B; Middlerigge 1667 Dund B) |
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West Redburn 1841: farmer RUSSELL |
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Easter Whin Wester Whin |
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Whinnieknow |
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Whitockbrae (D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856 Tenant: Alex Bell) (Wheatockbrae 1818; Quhythokbray 1614 LC; Quhitokbray 1614 RMS= brae of the white-oak) It had a footbridge, ford, stepping stones, wishing well and trysting tree. |
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Woodbank (Wood Bank - Forrest's map) It had a footbridge, stepping stones, old shaft, well and a quarry. Originally, the site was called Killicanty (Culycanty 1426 Reg Ho Ch; Killicante 1540 -1 RMS - 1698 KS Tor; Killecante 1552 SRS 57; Culicant(i)e 1567, 1568 SRS 52; Killi(e)cantie 1591 HMC - 1687 KS Tor; Kil(l)icanty 1691 - 1694 KS Tor; = probably wood on headland/hill) |
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Woodend Farm
Woodend Farm (Wodquartar 1539-1540 Rent Tor; Wodend 1539-1540 Rent Tor - 1607 RMS; Woodend 1662 RMS - 1675 SRS 40; 1773, 1818) The farm had a pond and a mill lade. To the east and south of the farm were two coal and ironstone pits, a smithy and a store. |
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Woodend Estate was acquired by David Carrick Buchanan in the 1800s
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 View from Drove Road: Mill Garden Centre and Nursery in the centre and Woodend Farm beyond |
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| Armadale housing | ||
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c1797: Armadale's tollkeeper's single-storey house and bar was on the north-east corner of Armadale Cross. (Later the site became The Star Inn.) The toll keeper, 'old John' sold beer and spirits, until the restrictions of the Forbes Mackenzie Act in 1855, and also dairy products. As a result, there is a comical story that when customers were staggering home, suffering the effects of John's alcoholic wares, locals would comment that they had been collecting their milk again! |
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1861 census: Armadale: 356 persons per 1,000 rooms National average: 179 |
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Model Lodging House, opened January 1902, to house the many men who flocked to Armadale attracted by the availability of jobs. Capacity: 150 - 200 There was a severe shortage of housing and private lodgings had often proved less than acceptable, and so model lodging houses were seen as a solution to house workers as well as pedlars, temporary / seasonal workers, tramps seeking work, vagrants, bachelors and those widowed or no longer able to afford a permanent home of their own. The first Model Lodging House was opened in Edinburgh in 1841 to house male and female lodgers in clean accommodation. Bathgate built its Model in 1899 in Chapel lane (now Mansfield Street) and Armadale quickly followed in 1903 with the largest Model in West Lothian, at a cost of £3,000. It was built at 99 Station Road (now South Street). The 13 directors of the group who funded Armadale's model included: Andrew Graham, a grocer; Alex Hopkins Hutton, an ironmonger; as well as a joiner; a fruit merchant; a spirit merchant and James Wood, Bathville coalmaster. They also opened Models at Uphall in 1903 and in Broxburn in 1904. Models were generally built to form 3 storeys. Armadale's had a Hall, in which 50 could cook on the cooking stove at once. Tables and benches were also provided, but personal accommodation was limited to a dormitory bed, or at a higher fee, a cubicled bed with chair and cupboard, covered overhead by wire mesh. Recreation rooms were provided with simple games, such as dominoes, and also newspapers. Sanitation and washing facilities were good, often better than in the houses of workers. However, with the passing of years and despite improvements in the workers' houses, such as inside toilets, the Models received no extra investments, particularly as they did not earn much money from their clients, and so their reputations began to suffer considerably in many communities. The managers of the Models had their own self-contained flat within the building where they were responsible for the order, cleanliness, finances (and lettings) and safe running of the business. Since the Models often became permanent homes for some of their inmates, some managers even gave additional support of all types. Sergeant MacDonald was Armadale's first manager, quickly followed by John Pirie (who committed suicide in the Model's shop), and then Mr Edwards who was in post until 1938. In the early days, some Models also accepted women, but it was commonly assumed that single women living in such places must be prostitutes, even if poverty had driven them to take shelter in such lodging houses. When Armadale's Model first opened, it catered for the navvies who were doubling the railway line between Boghead and Woodend. In the late 1920s, Irish navvies building the A8 were the main clients, as well as Punjabi packmen who sold small items from their suitcases. As transport facilities improved to enable workers to travel into the area from outlying homes, and temporary workers lessened in number (mainly because of heavy industry decline), there was a decrease in the need for Model accommodation. After the Second World War, councils were able to build more council houses and the number of homeless declined sharply. As a result of progress elsewhere, Armadale's Model closed in 1946. |
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Boarding houses:
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Armadale Accommodation 1911 Armadale c1910 * Armadale had the highest proportion of its
population living in one-roomed houses (27%) and the lowest proportion living in
houses of more than two rooms (17.2%). Also, it had the highest
percentages of people living more than two to a room, three to a room and four
to a room. |
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1914-15 Linlithgowshire Valuation Roll: % of its housing stock values for rating purposes at £40+, Bathgate: 7%; Armadale: none |
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Municipal Housing The sites that were considered for Armadale's first council housing were: Mayfield, Mill Road, Mount Pleasant and Russell's Row. In 1919, £750 was paid for the 11.8 acres of land, bought from Mr Readman of Barbauchlaw Estate for house building. The first Council Scheme in Armadale planned to have 158 houses ( 88x3 room; 58x4 room; 12x5 room). Municipal housing was built at Wood Terrace, Greig Crescent, and Barbauchlaw Avenue. The total cost was over £150,000. (Brickwork and plasterwork: William B. McNair of Armadale; carpentry: Forsyth; plumbing: David Marr of Armadale; slater and roughcaster: Robert Easton of Armadale; Master of Works: Mr Wyper) Russell's Row was also bought. It consisted of approximately 60 houses and cost £2,100.
Calder Crescent and Mayfield Drive with Upper Bathville and Wood Park (at top), Armadale (^ SW)
Mayfield Drive, Wotherspoon Crescent and (at top) Blackmoss and Mount Pleasant, Armadale (^ W) |
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Bevin Hostel: 1947: 43 Europeans from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and the Ukraine volunteered to work in Scottish Shale mines. They were housed in the hostel. |
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Armadale Housing Statistics: Between 1919 and early 1960s: the Local Authority built 405 houses in the Armadale area. Since 1945: the Scottish Housing Association had built 130 houses in Armadale. 1951: there were 3.75 persons per home in Armadale. 1961: there were 3.33 persons per home and 1,929 houses in Armadale. 11% of the population lived in 4-roomed houses; 15% of the population lived in 3-roomed houses. 1965: Estimated number of houses needed in Armadale: 328. Number of applicants on the housing list: 200 |
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Armadale Council Housing Council houses: 1,326; cottages: 666; four-in-a-block: 569; flats/maisonettes: 91; new lets 2005- 2006: 111; total sales 2005 - 2006: 32 First council house sales in Armadale: 23 June 1980: Academy Street and Lower Bathville 2008: c 1,280 council houses in Armadale and c1,280 former council houses in Armadale. 2007- 8: number of council lets: 186; two thirds of applicants were 'homeless' while the remainder were from the ordinary applicant list; average points for an allocation: 420 |
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 Tollgate House, North Street |
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Colinshiel Home; Colinshiel Court Colinshiel was opened on 3 April 1970 by Charles King OBE, Provost of Armadale and Chairman of the Social Work Committee. It was built to provide accommodation for 30 elderly residents who belonged to the town or its surrounding areas. Miss S. Fraser was Matron there until 1980. |
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In 1998, Edinvar Housing Association won a competition, open to housing associations, to design 'energy efficient', 'high quality, innovative' new homes as part of a redevelopment scheme for Armadale centre. The £730,000 development of 14 homes, half for rent and half for shared ownership, received £385,000 in grant funding from Scottish Homes. Competition judges were:
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35 flats in this sheltered housing complex were opened in 1983, with a full-time warden and part-time assistant. The flats were built on the site of the former East Armadale Church. The Court is managed by Their website gives up-to-date information. |
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| Miners' Accommodation 1850 - 1860 onwards | ||
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The Cappers: south of Armadale Railway Station: workers' houses constructed on behalf of Shotts Iron Co. Their lease location was at Cappers, which was part of the Polkemmet Estate. Each row of houses was built facing the other, with the ash pit in the middle and open privies at the sides. There was no drainage, no washhouses, only open sewers. |
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Messrs James Russell and Son, coalmasters, of Falkirk provided workers' accommodation at: Russell's Row on the south side of East Main Street; Russell's Square on the south side of West Main Street; and Hardhill Row (demolished by 1906), opposite No. 1 Pit, on the Bathgate and Bathville Road. |
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Mr. Watson provided a row of workers' houses at Bathville Row, on the south side of Upper Bathville, with a large provision store at the end of it, on the extreme west of Bathville estate, and a short one, tenanted by "gaffers" at 'Quality Row'. In the Report to the Royal Commission in 1913, Bathville Row was judged to be of such poor quality that it should be demolished, but that was not an option because there was a lack of suitable housing in the district which the tenants could inhabit as an alternative. However, the current owners were complimented on houses that they had constructed at Westrigg as they were well-equipped with adequate accommodation for families' needs indoors and out, and they benefited not only from sanitation and washing facilities, but also from being in a lighting and drainage district. |
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The Buttries Company's Buttries Row, was built on both sides of North Street, The houses were room + kitchen houses, mainly occupied by men with large families or those of higher status. Mount Pleasant Row, built in 1856 on the north side of South Street, was a row of single-room houses, with floors of broad, square bricks set into the earth and fixed with lime, occupied by the best class of workmen with small families. The 'Quality Row' aka 'Dandy Row' on the west side of South Street were brick houses of the room and kitchen type which accommodated the oversmen in the work. The Company's store serving workers was built in 1854 on southernmost part of the estate, on the Whitburn Road, on the edge of the Moss. |
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Northrigg houses were built on the south-western part of Armadale in an area half-way between Westcraigs and Bathville. Jimmy Borrowman commented about the hamlet in Blackridge (A Miscellany): 'Before reaching Northrigg itself you had a school and half a dozen miners' houses, then the gatehouse where the mineral railway to the Southrigg Pits cuts the road. The Welfare came later. Northrigg itself comprised 10 single ends at an annual rate of £5.4.0 ...and 24 room and kitchens at £6.10.0' According to the 1910 report on the conditions of miners' housing (built c1870), the buildings had no damp course or gardens or wash houses or cellars. They were not ventilated and some had brick floors. All had primitive middens. The school log was often an effective measure of the conditions suffered by the families. In 1889 there were 31 on the roll. Three months later the log commented: 'attendance very good but attention poor.' By the end of the year: 'weather very cold and children scarce of clothing, a family of four kept at home for want of boots.' By June 1909, the Inspector was reporting: 'attendance is rather poor. Sickness is prevalent. Ill clad children are nurmerous. Food, clothing and medical attendance are imperative if the teachers are to make any impression on the minds of the many scholars here'. By the 1912 coal strike, voluntary subscriptions were being collected in order to feed the children: 'a roll on syrup, with a dip of warm milk for breakfast, then for dinner 1 or 2 cups of cocoa and a roll on syrup.' |
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 Colquhoun Postcard The Miners' Welfare Institute in East Main Street was built in 1923. In 1929 a hall extension for functions and dances, with facilities underneath for billiards, was added by the Institute Committee. After the disbandment of the committee, the building was sold many time, until, in 1996, it was acquired for housing development, and so the hall was demolished. In its heyday, the Institute's hall was described being of 'grand proportions' , an impression probably created by its 17th century motifs, the crow-stepped central bay as well as the three-storied tower with its corbelled balustraded flat at the top. |
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Armadale Miners' Housing (Report published 1918) “Cappers Rows
are situated near Armadale Station, and have been built many years ago. They
have passed through the hands of several colliery owners, and are of the old
type, each row built facing each other, with the ash-pit in the centre, with the
open privies built alongside. The open sewer, no drainage, washhouses unknown,
are the general characteristics which rule here. Evidence given to Royal Commission on Housing Conditions of the Industrial Population of Scotland, Rural & Urban. *[area later Upper Bathville] |
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| Woodend | ||
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The Coltness Iron Company accommodated their workers at Woodend (the north-west of Armadale) where they had a lease for mineral extraction.
Colquhoun Postcard
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| Places of note in and around Armadale (more information to come!) | |
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Shoogly aka Shooglie Building The staircase that led to the first floor butted against the kerb. When particularly heavy vehicles on Main Street passed by, it vibrated. |
Castle Poorie Holmes Place Gillon's Loan |
| Pianotown House, West Main Street: a two-storey white-washed house, once the home of local doctor Dr William Anderson | Ivybank Cottage |
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Russell's Row McNab's Building Linton's Loan 'Curly' John Wilson McDonald's Square Lonie |
Westfield Paper Mill Westfield: When the mill was being built, sand was gathered from one of the conical hills nearby. An empty stone coffin was discovered. Further investigation found five stone cists (4 east-west; 1 north-south with a human skull and some other bones).
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Boyd Alexander's Place Drummond's Building Bucks Loan Syson's Loan Dougan's Square/Russell Square |
John Aitken's Monkey Row / Monklands Dandy Row Heatherfield Milligan's land: several houses there, as well as Gillespie Street, owned by Rev McLachlan of Torquay in 1868 |
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Rosebank Cottages (6 houses) between Hardhill Terrace and Bathville Cross (up to Lockhart Vidler barber's shop on the corner) and later Woodlands Cottages (6 houses) were bought to house qualified steel workers coming into Armadale. Rents were kept at a minimum. 1921 onwards, more houses were provided for workers: 6 more cottages were added to Woodlands Cottages + 3 x 4 blocks of houses were built at Church Place + 18 houses in Watt Avenue |
Council Offices 1966 JAW Grant |
| Mayfield |
Manse The Beeches |
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Woodlands House, Hardhill Road Occupied by James Watt, father of Sir George Harvie-Watt, private secretary to Winston Churchill during 1939 - 1945 Harvie Watson-Watt was a pioneer of radar |
Robert Aitken's shop (top of South Street, near today's St Helen's Place) St Helen's Place Designed 1966 by Roberts and Paul 3 storeys of stepped terraced houses with windows and balconies. |
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Cowhill near Tippethill:
Roman coins were found in the area Church Place |
Thomson's Land Rennie's Land : a tenement of houses opposite the Crown Hotel courtyard, South Street |
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Shepherd's Stane(s): in field near to Northrigg road near Stonerigg
Filters shown as Standing Stone on 1773 map Piano Town House |
Buttries Rows Shotts Row McNab Square/Edward's Square Verrier's Property |
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Information in Past and Present Chap XXII |
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Origins of Some Armadale Street Names |
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Station Road, Armadale, 1907, from Picturing The Past, vol 4, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, 2006; INDEX4 |
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| Armadale Services |
| WATER, SANITATION, GAS, ELECTRICITY, LIGHTING |
| For information see Past and Present Chap XI and Past and Present Chap XX |
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1893: The reservoir was completed in Northrigg Road for Armadale's drinking water. |
| 1917: Street waste paper collections began. A baling hog was installed in the burgh shed. |
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1963: The total supply of water to Armadale was 94 million
gallons. Reservoirs which served Bathgate and area were:
Baddingsgill Reservoir (South Linton); Forrestburn (Lanarkshire);
Ballencrieff, Sunnyside and Petershill 1 and 2, the latter 4 all in the
Bathgate Hills. The South of Scotland Electricity Board supplied the area and the Hardhill Road substation linked the area to the National Grid. Since 1956 gas consumption locally increased 5%, probably as a result of industrial usage. By 1990 locally produced coal gas was replaced by North Sea gas supplies. |
| 1965: The sewage system and disposal methods were described as inadequate, but the County Council had started a 10-year improvement programme. |
