Population and Development

e-mail Rosie

Updated 10 September 2008

Many former Armadalians visit the website and take a particular interest in Armadale's development, especially through its statistics.  As a result, I am including a summary of the latest information available.  If there are areas that have not been covered sufficiently, please let me know.

POPULATION

• Armadale population figures and surnames

• Some of the Armadale-related individuals who appear in NAS catalogues

• Local Cemeteries and Graveyards and Churchyards

• Some of the Armadale-related and Woodend-related individuals whose deaths were the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry and who appear in NAS catalogues

DEVELOPMENT

• Overview of Barbauchlaw and Armadale development

• Harestanes to Bathville

• Barony of Ogilface

• Barony of Bridgecastle

• Torphichen

• Abbreviations for some of the sources of information about places in Armadale and its surrounding area (past and present)

• Farms and Farmers in the Armadale Area

• Origin of Some Armadale Street Names

• Armadale Housing (includes Miners' Accommodation in Armadale and Woodend)

ARMADALE SERVICES

POPULATION

Armadale population

1841: 121; 1851: 141; 1861: 2,504 ( increase because of cannel coal discovery at Boghead and increase in Boghead and Barbauchlaw coal mining); 1871: 2,708; 1881: 2,642; 1891: 3,186; 1901: 3,921; 1911: 4,739; 1921: 4,927; 1931: 4,867; 1951: 5,804; 1961: 6,274 (elsewhere recorded as 6,195) - 26.5% under 15 years of age; 8.3% over 65 years of age; 1963: 6,400; 1971: 7,110; 1981: 8,769; 1989: 9,620; 1991: 9,096; 1996: 9236*; 2001: 9,063; 2006: 10,453* 2008: 10,779*; 2025: 14,500**

Census data apart from Council estimate* , forecast**

In 1958 West Lothian Planning Office had estimated that there would be a 13.4% in crease in Armadale's population by 1977 'despite the closure of coal mines in the area, the population increase will be maintained in parallel with development expansion in the local fireclay, steel and engineering industries.'

By 1965 it was believed that Armadale's population would rise by 8.4% by 1977.

Armadale was created as a burgh in 1864, and it was abolished 1975

As a result of The Great War, Scotland lost 10% of its men 16 - 50, highest rate in Anglo-Scottish Empire, lower only than Serbia

Armadale District in 1841

About 350 - 400 people lived within 1½ miles of Armadale centre.  About 150 of those people were employed in: agriculture; coal and ironstone mining; other trades.

Surnames of 30 families found in Armadale Village in 1841

Allan, Campbell, Carlaw, Docharty,  Dow,  Duncan, Finnlay, Forsyth, Gray, Harvie,  Laird, Lawson, Logan, MacNichol, McNeil, Marshall, Neil,  Neilson, Patterson, Pollock, Ranken, Shanks, Shields, Sim, Sinclair, Smith, Tennant, Thomson, Williamson, Wilson,

Surnames of c 50 people found in Colinshiel Colliery Village in 1841

Alexander, Baxter, Brown, Duncan, Easton, Harris, Smellie, Walker

Some of the Surnames found in Armadale in 1851

Baxter, Black, Boyd, Brown, Chalmers, Cook, Davis, Dobbie, Douglas, Dow, Drysdale, Easton, Farell, Forester, Forsyth, Gillespie, Gray, Harris, Harvie, Henderson, Hind, Hoynd?, Hughes, Laird, Lindsay, MacKie, McIntyre, McPhail, McPherson, Meekin, Neath, Neil, Pollock, Ramage, Rankin, Reinsmith, Renton, Riddell, Sinclair, Smith, Snedden, Steine, Storie, Tennant, Thomson, Walker, Ward, Williamson, Wilson.

Surnames found in Bathville in 1851

Brown, Clark, Dungavil, Hamilton, Lockhart, Ritchie, Wark

Surnames found in Woodend in 1851

Clelland, Cracket, Gentleman (at Canty and Craigmarie), Hachie, Hardie, Hay, Law, Liddel (at Craig Mill), McGregor (at Tannoch), McPhail, Morris, Pearson, Rankin, Rarit?, Russell, Thomson, Waddell (tenant of Woodend Farm), Wood

Woodend  

The Registrar General's Report 1959

Armadale had much higher rates than the Scottish average :

• 20% above the national rate for illegitimate births

• 50% above the national rate for infant mortality

1810 - 1811: Armadale's first pale house, to house a horse-drawn funeral carriage, built at Armadale Cross by:

• Thomas BROCK supplier of its thatch and stones;

• Alex BROWN, carter,

•  John GILCHRIST and William ARTHUR, stonemasons and thatchers;

• Alex RUSSELL, stone supplier.

Health: 2008

12,319 patients are registered at Armadale Health Centre

2,600 Armadalians smoke

Education

21.6% of  children at Armadale's local primary schools are entitled to free meals (West Lothian average: 17.7%)

16.3% of the 2007 leavers from Armadale Academy and 26% from St Kentigern's progressed to Higher Education.

21.5% of lthe 2007 eavers from Armadale Academy and 19.8% from St Kentigern's left with no job / education / training arrangements in place.

2008-2009 session: Applications for 27 P1 intake Armadale children were received for them to begin at primary schools outside their catchment area.  12 were allowed to begin at Windyknowe primary school (making a total of about 60 Armadale children at that school)

Some of the Armadale-related individuals who appear in NAS catalogues

John Saunders BUCHANAN, 1974; Michael BURNS, 1919, 1928; Peter Robertson BURTON 1922; Thomas COLLIGAN, foreman surfaceman, 1885 - 1892; Archibald DOWNS, 1933;Robert EASTON, 1931; Isabella BROCK / FISHER and husband Matthew McLEAN FISHER, storekeeper; Douglas MacPHERSON (Colinshiel Colliery) 1848;   Anthony FORRESTER aka FORSTER 1871; Mary HAY 1866; Alexander HOMER 1869;  Charles MacDONALD 1907; Charles McCUE, surfaceman, 1877 - 1881; 1881 - 1888; James Campbell THOMSON, miner, 1901; John TODD, 1928; Robert WALKER, cattle dealer, 1906;  Alexander F. WILSON, 1943; Mrs Esther WILSON, 1960; John WYPER, 1972.

Woodbank Cemetery

Colquhoun Postcard

Before Woodbank Cemetery was created, Armadalians were interred in graveyards in Bathgate, Whitburn and Torphichen.

Woodbank Cemetery 2006

WHITBURN: David MILLAR of Torbanehill, 1849.

KIRKTON (Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard) 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.: Robert GEDDES of Torbanehill, 1722; John GENTLEMAN of Craigmarie, 1826; William BROCK of Barbauchlaw Mains, 1855; John WILSON, Wheattockbrae, 1865;  Alex DENNISTOUN (in Barbauchlaw Burial Ground).

TORPHICHEN: Henry BROCK of Eastertoun, 1769;  John BROCK of Netherhillhouse, 1803; John RUSSELL of Androsyard, 1814; James SINCLAIR of Woodend, 1815; John MORE of Overhillhouse, 1853; James WAUGH of Birkenshaw, 1857; Walter GOWANS of Gowanbank, 1858;  Wm. S. ADDIE of Trees, 1865. 

John Wilson's gravestone in Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard

Gravestone of John Jeffrey of Armadale d1889 and wife Janet Rankine d1906 in Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard

Alexander Dennistoun, Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard

John Gentleman's gravestone in Old Bathgate Parish Church graveyard

Some of the Armadale-related and Woodend-related individuals whose deaths were the subject of a Fatal Accident Inquiry and who appear in NAS catalogues

Alexander BELL, timekeeper, Hawthorn Cottage, 1933; Thomas BEVERIDGE, Watt Avenue, 1961; Alexander BRODIE, sluice keeper Stonerigg Filters, Bathville, 1927;John McKay BROWN aka John McKAY, clipper, St Paul's Drive, 1956; Thomas BROWN, miner, Main Street, 1918; John CALDER, locomotivve engine driver, Hardhill Terrace, 1919; Delia Emma CARBERRY, brick-worker, East Main Street, 1916; Thomas CASSIDY, labourer, Railway Cottages, 1946; Maria CURRIE / SAUNDERS, Etna Cottage, 1931; Peter Thomson COOPER, coal miner, Harestanes Road, 1939; Charles Kerr DAVIDSON, crane driver, Bathville Cross, 1944; Andrew McKinley DONNELLY, aka Andrew MARSHALL, window cleaner, 'Red Deer Villa', 1938; James DRYBURGH, coal miner (clipper), Mayfield Drive, 1940; Michael EZZI, electrician, Mayfield, 1934; Archibald FERGUSON, coal miner, Mayfield Drive, 1948; John FORBES, colliery under-manager, Criagrigg Cottages, 1935;John FRIEL, apprentice engineer, South Street, 1915; James GALLACHER, brickworker, 1973; George Reid GRAHAM, farm worker, Woodend Farm House, 1956; Matthew HAILSTONES, haulage roadsman, Mayfield Drive, 1938; Alexander HAMILTON, clay miner, Calder Crescent, 1942; James HEMPSEED, miner, East Main Street, 1917;William Yates HUNTER, miner, East Main Street, 1918; John JOHNSTONE, oncost worker, Mayfield Drive, 1935;John KERR, night watchman, East Main Street, 1941; John KERR jnr, brickworker, East  Main Street, 1920; Peter KING, miner, West Main Street, 1910; Alexander LECKIE, miner, Station Road, 1912; William LOVE, collier, Wotherspoon Crescent, 1954; John Thomas McCLORY, miner, Bathville Rows, 1916; John McCLUSKIE, coal stripper, Barbauchlaw Avenue, 1935; John McCRACKEN, brick-kiln-burner, Russell Row, 1918; Malcolm McGREGOR, miner, North Mossend, 1919; John McKAY aka John McKAY BROWN, clipper, St Paul's Drive, 1956;Duncan McKENZIE, moulder, Mossend, 1913; Thomas McLEAN, colliery roadsman, Brown Street, 1951; Alexander McNAIR, foreman electrician, Station Road, 1922; Alexander McNEIL, coal miner, South Street, 1930;  Hugh McNEILL, labourer, Mossend Cottage, 1954; Andrew MARSHALL, aka Andrew McKinley DONNELLY, window cleaner, 'Red Deer Villa', 1938; David MARSHALL jnr, oncost worker, Westrigg Rows, 1937; John MARSHALL, miner, West Main Street, 1911;   John Slater MAXWELL, coal miner, Mayfield Drive, 1944; Christopher MORRIS, miner, Holmes Place, 1918; John MUIR, colliery clipper, Avondale Crescent, 1951; Edward MURPHY, oncost worker, 1964; John Thomas MURPHY, stripper,1959; William NEILSON, coal miner, Mayfield Drive, 1938; Joseph NIMMO, miner, East Main Street, 1924; John O'HARE, coal miner, Greig Crescent, 1935; Thomas OWENS, colliery engine-man, West Main Street, 1918; Thomas PEDEN, coal miner, West Main Street, 1932; George POTTER jnr, Lower Bathville;  James PRENTICE snr, coal miner, Calder Crescent, 1936; James PURDIE, miner's drawer, 'Heatherbank', 1916; William RENNEX, coal miner, Barbauchlaw Avenue, 1929; John ROBINSON, colliery packer, Barbauchlaw Avenue, 1942; RODGER, brick-kiln burner, East Main Street, 1913;  Maria SAUNDERS /CURRIE, Etna Cottage, 1931; Elizabeth SHAW, brickworker, South Street, 1921; Robert Aitken SIMPSON, county roadman, 'Glenlark', 1951; Andrew SMART, colliery deputy, 1957; John Wilson STENHOUSE, plasterer, Dell Avenue, 1952; James STRANG, miner, Manse View Cottages, 1933; John Fowler Rolland STRICKLAND, clipper, Mayfield Drive, 1938; Hugh TIMMINS, wasteman, Marches Drive, 1963; William WATSON, miner, Mount Pleasant, 1917; Philip Ross WARK, oncost-worker, High Academy Street, 1925; Andrew WATSON, pit bottomer, Craigrigg Cottages, Woodend, 1950; David WHITE, steel dresser, West Main Street, 1937; Isaac WHITEFIELD, machineman, Calder Crescent, 1936; Andrew Blake WILSON, foreman furnaceman, 1963; Robert WOOD, apprentice linesman, Park Terrace, 1937.

Past and Present Chap I ; Chap II;  Chap VIII

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.

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: The last Cochrane of Barbauchlaw estate (Harry) died.

1790: (A frequent question from 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. 

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.

1795: The first purchase of a feu from William Honeyman was by John RUSSELL, joiner/wright, who bought a feu west of Armadale Cross.  He built a house and workshop.

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 REDMAN

1893-: George RE(A)DMAN

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)

Meanings of name:

• 'Hill or settlement of the crozier' > baile, barr, bachall

• 'point of the big hill' Milne;

• boar hunting connection, Hendrie;

• 'hill of the cattle fence' Bisset;

• 'herdsman's hill' Mackenzie;

• Gaelic: baile barr bachall = marks ownership by the church, (1st by Holyrood and then by Newbattle)

• 1856 story by an Armadale farmer of a boar that attacked people near the Boar's Stone by Armadale Academy that was beaten off with shoe (bauchle) on the hill, thus boar+bauchle+law;

• Easter Barbachlaw 1614 LC

• lie Eister Barbachlach 1614 RMS

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

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 

Barony of Ogilface

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

Barony of Bridgecastle

Bridge Castle aka Bridgecastle aka Brighouse Castle, now in the parish of Torphichen, 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.) 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 at Bridgecastle briefly 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)
c1848 - 1915 Estate papers: private repository: Record Reference: NRAS 395; NRA Catalogue Reference: 12273 Glen

Briggast

(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:

1. 16 century: NE part tower; L-shape area of 3 storeys; round stair-tower in the angle corbelled to square above, then up to parapet and its walk; Attic

2. 17 century: 3 storeys renewed and another wing added, comprising 4 storeys and attic, the ground floors and first floor both vaulted. No parapet.  In the walled garden: a lintel above an entrance bears the date '1631'.

3. 19 century: old turnpike stair replaced and extensive additions eg offices as well as restoration

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.'

Torphichen Preceptory Thorphechin 1165; Torfekin 1199 = magpie hill / small farm?

• Bain: Calendar of documents relating to Scotland preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, London, ed. Joseph Bain, 1108 - 1509, (4 vols, 1881 - 1888)

• Bann Cl: Bannatyne Club publications (1823 - 1868)

• Cat Tor: Catalogue of the Muniments of Lord Torphichen

• Dund B: Dundas Deeds

• HMC: Historical Manuscripts Commission, Scottish Reports

• KS: Kirk Sessions

• KS Tor: Kirk Sessions of Torphichen parish

• Pont: T. Pont, Lothian and Linlitquo 1654

• Purv: Revenue of the Scottish Crown, 1681, by Sir William Purves, ed D. Murray Rose, 1897

• Reg Ho Ch: Calendar of Charters, 1142 - 1591

• Rent Tor: Rentale omnium terrarum decimarum redditum totius dominij et preceptorii de Torphichin (c1540) (J.L. Mounsey, Edinburgh)

• RMS: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, 1306 - 1668 (1814 - 1914)

• SRS: Scottish Record Society

Colquhoun Postcard

Colquhoun Postcard

*(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.

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. Tannoch 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

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

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

Andrew's Yard

(Ortus Andree 1386 Bann Cl 70; Andrewsyard 1409 Reg Ho Ch; Andris zardis c1540 Rent Tor; 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

Avoncrook

Back o' Moss

1690s: Robert Marshell tenant; Back a moss (Roy's map); Back of moss (1773 map)

Backmuir

Roy, Armstrong and Forest's maps

Balgornie (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856: Tenant : R. Russell)

Farm in mire/bog=baile, gronn

1773 and 1818 maps

Balmitchell: 1654 Blaeu map

Balmuir (C: Couston Estate 1856:  Tenant: James Peat)

Baymuir (Roy's map) Bymuir (Armstrong's map); Balmuir (Forest's map)

big farm=baile, mor

Barbauchlaw Mains (D: Barbauchlaw Estate 1856 Tenant: William Brock, buried Kirkton Graveyard 1855).  Demolished 1992 to make way for housing

For Estate information see earlier in this table.

Barbauchlaw Mill Farm

(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

Barntoun originally Eastertoun

1737 map

Bathgate Muir

Bedlormie

1690s: Robert Walker; John Thomson

Bedlormie Mains was a typical bonnet laird's house (the collector of tenant crofter rents).

(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)

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.

Bentyfaulds

Bentyfaulds (Armstrong's map); Bentyfauld (Forest's map)

=?fields covered by bent grass

Birkenshaw  Tenant 1838: Mr Waugh

It had a mill lade, mill dam, footbridge and a ford.

(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

Blackdub renamed Netherhouses in 19th century

Blackdubb (Roy); Blackdub (Arm, For)

=muddy pool

Blackfaulds

Blakfald c1540 (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

Blackrig

Blackrig 1581 SRS1; Blackrig Roy and Armstrong maps; Blackridge Adair and Forest's maps

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

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)

Brigend

Bridgend: (1571 Temp); 1654 Blaeu map

Bron (West of Weitakers - 1773 map)

Brownrig

1773 map

Burnhead

Burnhead (Pont's map); 1654 (Blaeu); Burnehead (1696); Burnhead 1737 map;

Burnas Heafod = top of the stream

Canty / Cante / Canties

Other images

1690s: John Nimmo; 1690s: James Lightbodie the younger; tenants

Cocksmuir

Colinshiel (C: Couston Estate 1856:  Tenant: Shotts Iron Co.) (Collinshield- Roy, Armstrong; Colinshield- Forrest)1750; 1773;=Colin's cottage)

Compton (SE of Medrigg, N of Hardhill Road)

1747 map

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

Craigengall (Cragyngall 1426; Cragingaw 1540)

Photo 1  ; Photo 2

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)

Drum Farm (T: Torbane Estate 1856: Tenant:  James Brodie)

Drumbeg

(Drumbuy 1682; Drumbegg 1750; Drumbegg - Roy; Drumbeg - Armstrong, Forrest = little ridge)

1690s: John Whytlaw

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

Drumduff

(Drumduffe 1667 Dund B; Drumduff 1685 KS Tor = black ridge)

Feuars, 1690s: David Tennant; William Tennant

Drumelzie

(Drummelly - Roy; Drumellzie - Armstrong; Drummillie - Forrest)

1690s: Robert Russell, tenant; John Black; William Eadie, feuar

Drumlyon

1690s: James Scott

Drumtassie

(Drumtasie 1686 KS Tor; Drumtassy - Roy; Drumtassie - Armstrong, Forrest  = ridge of wetness)

Feuars, 1690s: John Mungell

Eastoun (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant:  J. Russell) (1773 map)

Eastertoun (originally Barntoun)

Gentlemanside

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.

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.

See also Andrew's Yard

Gowkstane Farm (near the Atlas works and Mayfield): Gowkstane Minerals (Gowkstone Armstrong 1773= cuckoo's stone )

Haggies Slap

See Over Hillhouse

Hardhill  (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant:  John Millar  (The Hardhill 1583/4 SRS1; 1630; 1773; Harrhill )

(Little Hardhill 1818)

Hillhouse (Nether/East)

Kelmanhead

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)

See  Woodbank

Knows / Nose

Muckraw Farm and ancient hunting lodge.

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.

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   
Title: Charter by Alexander, Lord Linlithgow in favour of John Tennend in Wester Dalquharne of the east pendicle of the lands of Muckraw called North Lugiebray presently occupied by James Auld, in barony of Egilsait, regality of Holyroodhouse and sheriffdom of Linlithgow.

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

Muirhall (C: Couston Estate 1856:  Tenant: James McDonald)  (Muirhall - Armstrong, Forrest, = farmhouse on the moor; Killycanty 1426, Kaillyfranky)

See Woodbank

Nether Hillhouse Farm

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)

Nethermoor  (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant:  John Murray

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.

Northrigg Farm

Northrig - Roy 1747-55; North Rig - Forest 1816; Northrig - Ainslie; Northrig - Thomson 1820 ; Northrig - OS Survey 1855-1860

Over Hillhouse

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)

Righead

Snipedub

South Couston (C: Couston Estate 1856:  Tenant: James Waddell)

Southrigg Farm

Southrig - Ross 1773; South Rig - Forest 1816; Southrig - Thomson 1820; Southrig - OS Survey 1855-1860

Springfield (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant:  William Murray)

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

Stonerigg (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Alex Ruthven) 1858: bought by John Calderhead. (Stoneridge - Roy; Stonerig - Armstrong1773; Stone Rigg - Forrest)

Tannoch

(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; 1851: occupied by Robert McGregor, gamekeeper.  Gamekeeper's cottage until between 2 World Wars

Tannochead

Henry Brook

Tarrareoch Farm (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Miller/Millar)  (Torreoch 1500 HMC; Terryryoh Adair; Taririoch Roy; Tarryoch Armstrong; Taryreoch Forrest1818 = grey/brindled hill)

Tippethill (P: Polkemmet Estate 1856 Tenant: Peter Walker)  (Tippethill, Teepit Hill=crested/tipped hill)

Todholes

Torbanehill Mains (TH: Torbanehill Estate 1856: Tenant: D. Millar)

Torbanehill Farm: Alexander Wardrop b1850 Whitburn wrote about it:

'We'll awa to Torbanehill
Where my Annie an' me
Hae gane linkin' by the mill,
To you hawthorn tree,
Where the laverock soared above,
Chantin' strains that wooers love.
While in Eden we awd rove
Ower at Torbanehill'

Torbane (T: Torbane Estate 1856: Tenant: P. Salmond) (Torbane=white hill; 1335; Torbeane 1649

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

Watacre (Easter; Wester)

Waterside

1773 map

Westermains Farm

Westfield 1773

West Middlerig  (H: Hopetoun Estate 1856: Tenant:   R. Waugh)  (Middlerig 1649 Dund B; Middlerigge 1667 Dund B)

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.

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)

Woodend Farm 

Woodend Farm

(Wodend c1540 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.

Woodend Estate was acquired by David Carrick Buchanan in the 1800s

 

Woodend

View from Drove Road: Mill Garden Centre and Nursery in the centre and Woodend Farm beyond

Shotts Row

McNab Square/Edward's Square

Verrier's Property

Castle Poorie

Holmes Place

Gillon's Loan

The staircase that led to the first floor butted against the kerb.  When particularly heavy vehicles on Main Street passed by, it vibrated.

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).

Designed 1966 by Roberts and Paul

3 storeys of stepped terraced houses with windows and balconies.

Alexander's Place

Drummond's Building

Bucks Loan

Syson's Loan

Dougan's Square/Russell Square

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

McNab's Building

Linton's Loan

'Curly' John Wilson

McDonald's Square

Lonie

1966

JAW Grant

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

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

The Beeches

Rennie's Land :

a tenement of houses opposite the Crown Hotel courtyard, South Street

Roman coins were found in the area

Church Place

Information in  Past and Present Chap XXII

(Cappers - Forrest; derived from capper, maker of caps/wooden dishes))

1797: Armadale's tollkeeper's house was on the north-east corner of The Cross (later the site became The Star Inn)

1861 census: Armadale: 356 persons per 1,000 rooms  National average: 179

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.

Boarding houses:

• Mrs M Edwards,  aka Mag, proprietor, in South Street

• Mrs Falconer in Barbauchlaw Avenue

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.
1911 census statistics

1914-15 Linlithgowshire Valuation Roll: % of its housing stock values for rating purposes at £40+, Bathgate: 7%; Armadale: none

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)

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.

 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

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

Tollgate House, North Street

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.

Ochilview Square

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:

1.  William Ferrier, Chair of Armadale Community Council;

2. Jim McEwan, Planning and Co-ordination Manager, WL Community Services Devpt;

3. Bill Sheldrick, Alembic Research;

4. Sue Thornley, Architect,

5. Sandy Watson, Scottish Homes Operations Manager (Lothian, Borders and Forth Valley).

Ochilview Court

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

Bield Housing Association. 

Their website gives up-to-date information.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

Northrigg houses were built on the south-western part of Armadale.

Colquhoun Postcard

The Institute was built 1923 and extended to accommodate functions and billiard facilities in 1929.  That hall was demolished in the mid 1990s when the Institute building was taken over by a housing development.  In its heyday, the Institute's hall was described being of 'grand proportions' , an impression probably created by its 17C motifs, the crow-stepped central bay as well as the 3 storied tower with its corbelled balustraded flat at the top.

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.

At Bathville Rows* you have a long continuous street of mostly single-apartment houses, which do for coal-cellar, washhouse, cooking, living-and sleeping-room. They are of brick, and were built many years ago. … Houses are extremely scarce in this district, otherwise these houses would be empty. There is nothing of the accommodation which is now thought necessary for a workman's dwelling-house. It is a striking example of the ideas and attitude of the employers of that period as to the welfare, happiness, and comfort which they seemingly thought their workmen and families should enjoy.”

Evidence given to Royal Commission on Housing Conditions of the Industrial Population of Scotland, Rural & Urban.  *[area later Upper Bathville]

The Coltness Iron Company accommodated their workers at Woodend (the north-west of Armadale) where they had a lease for mineral extraction.

Colquhoun Postcard

 

Woodend

 

Our old Armadale postcards are HERE

1893: The reservoir was completed in Northrigg Road for Armadale's drinking water.

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.