Places to Visit

PLACES TO VISIT

For

information about local places to visit within reach of Armadale
information for those holidaying in or visiting West Lothian
useful links

Under Construction: Updated 10 September 2008

Please note that the many of the following places are family favourites. You may have other places that you could recommend!

If you decide to visit any of the places described below, you are advised to check for up-to-date information before travelling.

TOURISTS and VISITORS

Local Attractions

What's On Guide

Visit West Lothian

Short promotional DVD produced by W L Council now available for loan at libraries

West Lothian Twinning Association

Large hotel near Armadale (about 3.5 miles from Armadale centre)

West Lothian Hotels

Serviced Accommodation

Local History

Scottish Communities

Friends of Scotland

Scottish Youth Hostels Association

The National Trust for Scotland

Walking

Cycling Routes

Bathgate Guide

Secrets of the Bathgate Hills

Bathgate

Bathgate is also the birthplace, in April 1971, of David John McDonald aka David Tennant, well-known as a stage, film and television actor, but particularly as the tenth actor to play The Doctor in Dr. Who

Only the site of Bathgate Castle now remains under the turf of Bathgate Golf Course. It is situated south of present railway line and adjacent to Guildiehaugh playing fields represented by a 2 - 3m high mound inside 2 ditches, facing the drive from the medal tee at the tenth hole of Bathgate Golf Course. In 1328, the Castle was given as a dowry by Robert Bruce when his daughter Marjorie (elsewhere Marjory) married Walter, High Steward of Scotland, after whose death the Castle was no longer inhabited.

Bathgate Golf Course, looking westwards to Bathgate

Bennie Museum, 9 - 11 Mansefield Street, Bathgate, EH48 4HU (Features: Dr James Young Simpson, inventor of chloroform, and James 'Paraffin' Young; early photographs; Victoriana)

01506 634944 April - Sept: Mon - Sat, 10.00am - 4.00pm Oct - March: 11.00am - 3.30pm

Inside the Bennie Museum

We would like to thank Hugh McKean, custodian, and William Millan, curator, for their interesting tour.

The Bathgate Beast, Westlothiana

Behind the Bennie Museum

Washday Delights!

Cairnpapple Hill The highest point in West Lothian for wonderful views and an important prehistoric site. (2) Historic Scotland Site Office at Cairnpapple: 01506 634622. April - September, 9.30am - 6.30pm

Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn: 68 hectares (169 acres) of nature trails, wildlife spotting and other environment-related activities led by Countryside Rangers; golf activities (9-hole golf course, 15-bay driving range,); 6-rink bowling green; picnic and barbeque areas (BBQ units bookable), children's play areas; designated walking routes along the River Almond valley. Open all year, April to September: 7.00am - 9.00pm; October to March: Monday - Friday: 10.00am - 6.00pm; Saturday and Sunday: 9.00am - 4.30pm. The Park is located in the grounds of a former private estate owned by the Baillie family for over 300 years.

Ring 01501 743905 for further details and to book facilities. Staff at Reception are very helpful and can give you a free leaflet about walks and trees in the Park as well as leaflets about West Lothian Council Countryside Ranger Service events and other parks in the area.

On an overcast Saturday afternoon, we visited Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, on the B7066 between Harthill and Whitburn, about 3 miles from Armadale (aerial photo), where we found the newly opened Cr'eat'e Craft Café in the old stable block. The bright and cheerful cafe is open from 9.30am until 5pm for meals and snacks while the adjoining studio offers paint-it-yourself pottery for young and old, as well as other craft opportunities. Apart from group bookings and regular Ladies' Nights (next one on 8 August - bookable) as well as their Summer Programme of Craft Sessions, once the summer holidays are over, they will be introducing new workshops that will include parent and toddler classes, story corner and adult crafts.

Why not pop in to the café while visiting Polkemmet Country Park? We know that you will receive a warm welcome.

Colette and Susan, the proprietors of Cr'eat'e Craft Café, phone 01501 748900

The Design Studio

The courtyard looking towards the Café and Studio. The Park's Reception is also situated within the courtyard.

The Cr'eat'e Craft Café

Other attractions at the Park include: children's play areas, country walks, BBQ and picnic areas, 160 acres of wonderful grounds with mature trees, the only driving range in West Lothian, the pay and play 9-hole golf course and the bowling green. The green is on the site of the former 39-roomed Polkemmet mansion, home of the Baillie family who owned the estate from 1620 until 1957.

Map showing Park attractions; Park history (old photos & video clips); Whitburn

Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow: (370 hectares (1,000 acres); wildlife haven high in the Bathgate Hills with views, walks, adventure playground, red deer, trout farm, angling, canoeing, archery, camping and caravanning - open all year) Included in the 2006 top ten of favourite British picnic spots 01506 844516