PLACES TO VISIT

For

• information about local places to visit within easy reach of Armadale

• information for those holidaying in or visiting West Lothian

• useful links

Updated 11 September 2009

Please note that the following listing is not meant as a comprehensive guide, but merely as an indication of 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.

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

West Lothian Hotels

Serviced Accommodation

Walking 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.

Bennie Museum, 9 - 11 Mansefield Street, Bathgate, EH48 4HU   01506 634944  (Features: Dr James Young Simpson, inventor of chloroform, and James 'Paraffin' Young; early photographs; Victoriana) 

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

Our 2009 photos

The Scottish War Memorial

The Scottish Korean War Memorial,  situated at the south-western corner of Beecraigs Country Park at NS 988 728, was opened officially on 27 June 2000, marking the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.    The wooden pagoda, situated in a garden landscaped with the yin and yang that appear on the Korean flag, houses the names of all the fallen British serviceman in regimental groupings.  The site, chosen by the Lothian and West of Scotland branch of the Korean Veterans' Association as a fitting place for contemplation, has been planted with 110 Korean pine trees within the yin and yang.  Each tree represents 10 men serving in British regiments who died in the Korean War.  On the site is a pathway, known as United Nations Avenue,  leading to a picnic area.  The path is planted with 21 trees representing each country involved in the UN.  In the entire garden are 1090 native birch trees, one for each of the British personnel who died as a result of the conflict.

 

Right: three of the panels of names inside the pagoda

opened by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Sir  John Gilmour on 1 July, 1927

The two-winged Kirkton mansion house used to stand in the eastern corner of the original Bathgate Public Park.  In 1599, the inhabitants were shown as Thomas SHERP and Marion DALMAEHOY on a stone above the main entrance.  In 1862, the owner Capt HART ordered the building to be demolished and the building's material were dispersed according to the contractor's wishes.  It is believed that the mansion's fountain was bought by Edward MELDRUM and transported to the gardens of Dechmont Castle.

Outdoor blaes tennis courts at Kirkton Park, Bathgate: no booking needed; open seasonal April - September, Mon-Fri 4.00 -9.00pm, Sat + Sun 1.00 - 5.00pm; 01506 631450

Kirkton Park Bowling Green: a public bowling green for club and individual use between April - September.  There are usually a couple of rinks available for individual use, but it's best to check beforehand in case the club is using the whole green; 01506 631450

KIRKTON (Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard) is situated across the road from Kirkton Park. The rectangular building that still remain here is roofless, but atmospheric, with door jambs thought to date from around 1200, and a 13C effigy of a priest.  It was given to Holyrood Abbey by Malcolm IV, but was abandoned in 1739 when the High Kirk was constructed in Main Street. (Photo below left)

In the churchyard are many names familiar to the Armadale area.  Here are a few examples: John Gentleman of Craigmarie; John Jeffrey and his wife, Janet Rankine, of Armadale; John Wilson of Wheatockbrae and his wife, Mary Briggs Arthur; Alex Frew died 1820 Jamaica; Thomas Frew died 1820 South America; Sandilands of Couston; J Mitchell of Standhill; and the Barbaughlaw Burial Ground, property of Alexander Dennistoun Esq.

Below right is the Covenanter's Stone, dedicated to James Davie, who was shot by dragoons at Blackdub (Netherhouses, Armadale) in 1673. His tombstone lies about nine metres from the south church wall.

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. 

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

Polkemmet Estate History

The Lanarkshire family of Baillie is descended from the Baillies of Jervistoune, cadets of the Baillies of Lamingtoune.  One suggestion is that the name comes from Balliol, and thereby is linked to Scottish King John Balliol (1292 - 1296). 

In 1620, the Baillie family bought land from Andrew Shaw, which became the Polkemmet Estate near Whitburn.  At the time, Whitburn stood at the crossroads for the old cattle drove roads between Scotland and England, and the main east-west route of Central Scotland.  By the 1700s, local breeders of black cattle and horses were making a healthy living from their sales to passing drovers and traders  Grazing was needed, which was one of the reasons for local field enclosures, such as the initial one on Baillie-owned Polkemmet Estate.

The Polkemmet lands and accompanying mineral wealth enhanced the Baillies' prosperity.  By 1883, the Baillie estate Assessment Roll valuation was five times greater than any other landowner in Whitburn parish.  During the 1800s, Polkemmet Mansion House was listed as containing 39 rooms with 11 domestic servants.  The Baillies played a significant part in local community affairs.  In particular, Sir William and Lady Baillie are remembered for the establishment of the Lady Baillie Sabbath School in Whitburn and the Baillie Institutes in Whitburn, Blackburn and Harthill, all predecessors of modern community centres. 

In the twentieth century, a bowling green, tennis courts and a golf course was established on the estate for the family's use, but local talented players were also invited to play by the Baillie family.  During the Second World War, the house was used, briefly, to house evacuee children, and an army camp was also established in the grounds.

In 1945, Princess Elizabeth opened the Trefoil School, linked to the Girl Guide Movement.  The School occupied the mansion house and served as a residential country school for physically handicapped children.  A member of staff said of the grounds, "When we turned off the dreary road on the day of our arrival, we entered a domain which, compared with the country around, might have been described ....'like fairyland'."

In 1947, Sir Adrian Baillie died and was buried in the family mausoleum in Polkemmet grounds.

In 1951, the Trefoil School moved to another location and the house became the Scottish Police College until its move to Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine, in 1960.  By then, the estate was owned by the National Coal Board. 

In the 1960s, the house was demolished, but, in 1978, the grounds were bought by West Lothian District Council with the help of a 75% grant from the Countryside Commission.  Restoration work began in the grounds to restore recreation facilities, and the Polkemmet Offices, formerly staff accommodation and mansion facilities, were developed to create the Park Centre.  Polkemmet Country Park was opened in June 1981 by Councillor Bert Gamble JP.

If you are interested to read about planned developments in the area see HEARTLANDS development

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        See also  (2)

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, near Broxburn / Mid Calder: (69 hectares (220 acres) of woodland, bounded by the River Almond with numerous crossings (Nasmyth Bridge, Union Canal Aqueduct, Mandela Bridge) A wide variety of Ranger-organised activities, visitor centre, picnic areas - open all year)

01506 882254

Muiravonside Country Park: (170 acres formerly owned by the Stirlings of Falkirk, with Visitor Centre (open daily April - September, weekends October - March) Outdoor Education Centre, Newparks Farm rare breeds (open daily 9.00am - 4.00pm)

Why not blow those cobwebs away and visit Blawhorn Moss northwest of Blackridge, four miles from Armadale? Great views, bracing air and interesting features.  Watch the video clip of a blustery day! 94% of the UK's lowland bog habitat has disappeared since the nineteenth century, and so the Reserve is a particularly important area.  In November 2008, its significance was acknowledged when its status was extended to National Nature Reserve The Reserve Proposals for Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve 2009-2015

Hopetoun House, South Queensferry

Marquesses of Linlithgow family seat, built over 300 years ago. (Original furniture, paintings, 150 acres of woodland, views of the Forth and 2 bridges, rooftop viewing platform).  Open daily April - September

Torphichen , birthplace of Henry Bell builder of the paddle steamer Comet

Torphichen Preceptory:  The Preceptory is linked with the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem.  Open April - September weekends and bank holidays. For more information about the village, see (3)

 Blackness Castle and (2) 01506 834807

Pier where visitors can moor their boats!

Linlithgow Heritage Trails

Linlithgow Palace,  and (2), birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, situated in a beautiful lochside position, open all year

Linlithgow Canal Centre 

British Waterways Scotland

House of the Binns, Linlithgow  Dalyell family seat for 350 years gives stunning view of the Forth; open daily (except Fridays) May - Sept

Annet House Museum and Linlithgow Heritage Trust - Annet House

Linlithgow is always a popular place to visit, and particularly when the weather is as glorious as on this day in 2008 when we looked around Annet House and its gardens with its wonderful views over the town.

Linlithgow: 'birthplace', in 2222, of Star Trek character Montgomery ('Scotty') Scott played by James Doohan

A James Doonan Memorial Exhibition, designed by Andy Pepperell from Edinburgh Star Trek Association, has been open at the Annet House Museum since 3 August 2007, featuring personal and Star Trek related items

(Westfield Viaduct, which carried coal from local mines; Wallace's Cave; Torphichen Mill and cottage, birthplace of Henry Bell, pioneer of steam navigation; Carribber Bridge, world's first stress-laminated wooden bridge; the Muiravonside Country Park, 170 acres formerly owned by the Stirlings of Falkirk; the second longest British aqueduct; the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal).

01506 414957

A child-friendly museum (countryside and shale) that is open all year (farm animals, train rides, exploration, history)

See also (2)

The Centre

 (new £90 million shopping mall, linking Almondvale and Livingston Designer Outlet)

McArthurGlen Shopping Mall, Livingston

has been rebranded as

Livingston Designer Outlet

Livingston Guide

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway (2)

Callendar House

A short drive from Armadale to Falkirk takes you to Callendar House (the UK's nominated site for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage Site list).  It's a wonderful place to visit, no matter what the weather, because of its interesting ezxhbitions, temporary and permanent. Recently, we visited when scaffolding was in place at the front of the building, but the delights of the venue were ample reward for our visit. 

Within the surrounding 18th-century-landscaped parkland, there are woodland walks and picnic benches; seasonal facilities such as the par 3 golf course, go-carts and boating lake; refreshment kiosk; a Georgian garden behind the Teashop; and, last, but not least, the Antonine Wall (whose construction is described in the House).  Highly recommended!

Location, opening times etc: Website with useful links Below are just a few photos from our visit. 

Falkirk Wheel and (2) recently revised

Falkirk 

Antonine Wall (Roughcastle Roman Fort)

Five Sisters Zoo near Polbeth, West Calder. Even when we visited one December, there was lots to see and do.

Links to Edinburgh Museums, Zoo and other attractions that kids would enjoy.

GLASGOW GUIDE

Links to Glasgow Museums

Kite aerial photograph of Rothesay by Jeff Worrall

(click on image)