Whitburn, West Lothian
Whitburn
| |
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Whitburn, looking west towards the town centre | |
Coat of arms of Whitburn Onward | |
Location within West Lothian | |
Population | 11,490 (mid-2020 est.)[1] |
OS grid reference | NS945645 |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BATHGATE |
Postcode district | EH47 |
Dialling code | 01501 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
Whitburn (originally Whiteburn) is a small town in
History
Originally a small farming & weaving community centred around the burn that runs through, it was once a district of Linlithgow until 1973 and a parish of Livingston until 1730 when it established into its own as the population began to rise. When reliable statistics began with the Statistical Accounts of Scotland the population was counted at 1,121 in 1755 followed by a more accurately count of 1,322 in 1795.[2]
Whitburn has appeared on maps since the 17th century of the
During the Age of Enlightenment the community was trading cotton, pig iron and coal. "Old quarries" can be seen dotted over the area on the Ordnance Survey 1st Edition map, presumably from the days of clay, sandstone and iron ore extraction. The majority of farmers rented agricultural land because of the Lowland Clearances and most of it was owned by Esquires.[8]
Between the 18th and 20th century the town was dominated by mines with the largest being Polkemmet
There was a Scottish Police College located on the current site of Townhead Gardens in the 1940s, before it moved to the old mansion at Polkemmet.[10]
The town's population was boosted by the 1960s Glasgow overflow. The town's Murraysgate and surrounding areas north-west of the cross were established to deal with the overflow.
Schools
The town has 5 primary schools, 4 of which have nurseries within. These five schools are known as Croftmalloch Primary School, Polkemmet Primary School, Burnhouse, St Joseph's Primary School and Whitdale Primary School.
Whilst four of the schools are non-denominational, St Joseph's is regarded as a Catholic school. Burnhouse school is for children with behavioural difficulties who cannot be placed in mainstream schools.
The local
Sport and recreation
Whitburn has a
On 16 January 2012, a planning application was submitted regarding the rebuild of the swimming pool; drawings of the new facility were posted on the Xcite Leisure Website.[11]
Whitburn is home to
The town holds its annual gala day on the fourth Saturday in June; there is a parade through the town, followed by games and races at King George V Park. The gala day is part of a week of activities known as the "Civic Week"; this also includes a fairground and a fireworks display in King George V Park.
Polkemmet Country Park is located to the west of the town, and incorporates woodland, a golf course, cafe, and play area. The park is also locally famous for the Polkemmet Horn which can be seen from the M8 motorway which runs to the north of the country park. There is also a disused steam locomotive from Polkemmet Colliery on display. Since 2012 Polkemmet Park has also been the site of the Scottish Owl Centre.
Industry
The town was once the site of Levi Strauss & Co., the clothing manufacturer. The plant opened in 1969, employing a work force of over 500 local people. At its height, the plant was producing 4 million pairs of jeans in a year. The plant shut its doors in December 1999.
Bands
The Whitburn Band is a brass band formed in 1870. The band has been successful on the contest stage and competes at the British Open, National Final and European Championships, and has been Scottish Champion on 19 occasions.[12] In 2017, the Whitburn Band was ranked 6th in the world in the 4barsrest rankings.[13]
Whitburn Flute Band was formed in the town in 1962, although it is thought the band may have existed in some form before this. The band host their annual parade through the town on the first Saturday in April. The parade attracts bands from all over the UK who come to compete.
Transport
The M8 motorway passes to the north of the town.
A shared cycle and pedestrian path along the
Notable people
- Elizabeth Bishop (Burns) (1785–1817) – Robert Burns's first illegitimate child, married John Bishop, factor to the Laird of Polkemmet, and was buried in the Whitburn churchyard.
- John Paterson (1926–2000) – former professional footballer for Hibernian F.C.
- Jimmy Ferguson (*1935) – former professional footballer for Dundee, Falkirk, Oldham Athletic, Crewe Alexandra, Darlington and Stenhousemuir
- Jim Irvine (*1940) – former professional footballer for Dundee United, Middlesbrough, Hearts and Barrow
- John Lambie (1941–2018) – played for Falkirk and manager of Hamilton and Partick Thistle.
- Wilson Wood (1943–2017) – footballer, played for Glasgow Rangers
- Duncan Lambie (1952–2015) – footballer for Dundee, St Johnstone, SpVgg. Fürth and Hibernian
- Fender
- Danny Lennon (*1969) – former professional footballer and former manager of St Mirren F.C.
- Iain Cook (*1974) – musician, composer, and record producer who is currently a member of Glasgow-based electronic trio Chvrches.
- David Baillie (*1977) – writer, born in West Lothian, known for comicbook work such as 2000 AD and Red Thorn.
- Scott Boyd (*1986) professional footballer for Kilmarnock, Ross County, Partick Thistle and Livingston
- Leon Jackson (*1988) – Scottish singer[15]
- Jamie Brandon (*1998) – professional footballer for Heart of Midlothian
- The Snuts – Jack Cochrane, Joe McGillivray (East Whitburn), Callum Wilson, Jordan Mackay
- Lewis Capaldi (*1996) – singer-songwriter and musician
References
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Sinclair, Sir John. The Statistical Account of Scotland, Whitburn, Linlithgow, Vol. 17, Edinburgh, 1796, p. 300". William Creech, 1796, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow. (1999). Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ "A Map of West Lothian / survey'd by Mr. J. Adair. [ca.1680]". John Adair. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ "Index of Charters, &c. By King David II". General Register Office (Scotland). 1798.
- ISBN 9780192527479.
- ^ "A history of the family of Cairnes or Cairns and its connections". London, E. Stock. 7 February 1906 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "National Record of the Historic Environment". G. Mitchell. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ "Gordon, J. ed. The New Statistical Account of Scotland / by the ministers of the respective parishes, under the superintendence of a committee of the Society for the Benefit of the Sons and Daughters of the Clergy. Whitburn, Linlithgow, Vol. 2, Edinburgh, p. 81". Blackwoods and Sons, 1845. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ "Environment: Bing 3 (the burning bing)". Heartlands. Ecosse Regeneration Limited. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ "Ordnance Survey 1937–1961". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
- ^ http://www.westlothianleisure.com/UserFiles/File/Whitburn_Plans_Jan_2012.pdf [dead link]
- ^ "Whitburn Band". Retrieved 25 November 2017.
- ^ "World Rankings – All Bands". 4barsrest. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
- ^ "Cycle path now complete between Armadale and Whitburn". The Edinburgh Reporter. 20 July 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "X-Factor Leon has singing in his genes". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2007.