OS grid reference NT081722 Country Scotland Post town Broxburn Dialling code 01506 University Oatridge College | Lieutenancy area West Lothian Sovereign state United Kingdom Local time Saturday 9:44 PM Council area West Lothian | |
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Population 12,892 (2001 census)
est. 14,140 (2006) Weather 4°C, Wind E at 5 km/h, 98% Humidity | ||
House to let nicol road broxburn west lothian eh52 6gz lettng solutions a 360etours net tour
Broxburn (Scottish Gaelic: Srath Bhroc) is a town in West Lothian, Scotland located 12 miles (19 km) west of Edinburgh on the A8 road, 5 mi (8 km) from Edinburgh Airport, and to the north of Livingston.
Contents
- House to let nicol road broxburn west lothian eh52 6gz lettng solutions a 360etours net tour
- Map of Broxburn UK
- Etymology
- History
- Past
- Present
- Leisure
- Notable residents
- Education
- Sports and health
- Administration
- Transport
- Hospitals and churches
- References
Map of Broxburn, UK
As a commuter town serving the M8 corridor into Edinburgh and the industrial areas of Livingston, Broxburn has seen a recent increase in immigration, especially from Poland.
Etymology
The name Broxburn is a corruption of "brock's burn", brock being an old name for a badger and burn being a Scots word for a stream. The village was earlier known as Easter Strathbrock (Uphall was Wester Strathbrock).
History
The village that later became Broxburn probably originated around 1350 when Margery le Cheyne inherited the eastern half of the Barony of Strathbrock (Easter Strathbrock) on the death of her father, Sir Reginald le Cheyne III. The hamlet that grew up around her residence was then called Eastertoun (eastern town) after the land on which it stood. The lands of Strathbrock were earlier owned by Freskin the Fleming, granted to him under a charter from King David I.
Eastertoun was burned to the ground sometime in 1443-4 during a conflict between William, Earl of Douglas, Lieutenant-General of Scotland, and William, Lord Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland. It was destroyed again in 1455 during fighting between the Douglases and King James II. After the conflict, peace was regained and the town was gradually resettled.
The village was renamed Broxburn in 1600 by Sir Richard Cockburn of Clerkington, Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, almost certainly after Broxburn, East Lothian.
Past
Broxburn remained an agricultural community until the development of the oil shale industry in the area during the second half of the nineteenth century. This brought in a rapid influx of workers, greatly expanding the local population. Broxburn is still known for its association with the industry, pioneered by the inventor and industrialist James Young. Many shale spoil tips, known as bings, are still in evidence around the town.
Present
Broxburn now has two separate industrial areas, the Greendykes Industrial Estate and the East Mains Industrial Estate, which provide employment for local people. The largest employers are Campbells Prime Meat Limited, Glenmorangie and Broxburn Bottlers Limited (part of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd). The headquarters of Kwik-Fit, the automotive repair company, are also located in Broxburn.
Leisure
The Union Canal passes through Broxburn. It no longer operates as a transport link, but is now used for fishing and some leisure boating. It has a towpath previously used by the horses which drew canal barges and which is now used as a footpath.
Notable residents
Education
Broxburn has four schools, all state funded, Broxburn Primary, Kirkhill Primary, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Primary and Broxburn Academy. Broxburn Academy is one of the top state academies in Scotland; with its well regarded Science and Maths departments.
Sports and health
Broxburn is home to the junior football club Broxburn Athletic. There are sports and health facilities publicly available, including a sports centre, library, swimming pool and bowling clubs. A motorcycle dirt track was built at The Sports Park in 1928 and a few demonstration events were staged to show off the new sport to football fans. Due to Broxburn's proximity to Edinburgh it was not licensed. Another demonstration event at motorcycle club event in 1929 ended after both riders crashed.
Administration
Broxburn lies in the Livingston constituency of the British Parliament and the Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh ward of West Lothian Council. Broxburn is in the Almond Valley constituency of the Scottish Parliament.
Transport
Broxburn has regular links to Edinburgh, Livingston, Linlithgow and Edinburgh Airport. Operators serving the town include, First & E&M Horsburgh. The nearest railway station is at Uphall providing links to Edinburgh, Livingston, Bathgate, Airdrie and Glasgow.
Hospitals and churches
The local hospital is St. John's Hospital at Howden in Livingston. Broxburn has its own health centre at the Strathbrock Partnership Centre. It has five churches, Broxburn Baptist Church, Broxburn Catholic Church, Broxburn Parish Church, Grace Community Church and St Nicholas United Free Church of Scotland. There are also some other religious groups active in the town, including Jehovah's Witnesses and several evangelical Christian organisations.