Bathgate’s bustling streets give away few clues to the town’s past. The second largest settlement in West Lothian was once a quiet farming and weaving community, dabbling in small-scale lime and coal quarrying.
Coal mining and the town’s proximity to the major ports of Glasgow, Leith and Grangemouth changed all that. Bathgate’s population expand rapidly in the 19th century and today the thriving town is home to some 18,000 residents.
Bathgate’s history
Dr James Young’s discovery of cannel coal – or oil shale – in the Boghead area, marked the start of Bathgate’s rapid development. Young found a way to extract paraffin from the coal and by 1852 the Bathgate Chemical Works had opened its doors. The Bathgate Foundry and George Wolfe’s Shovel and Spade Factory followed suit shortly afterwards.
Bathgate’s coal industry peaked after WWII, but by the late 1950s mining was on its way out. Knitwear and hosiery factories sprung up instead, and the opening of the British Motor Corporation plant in 1964 helped to ease the negative effects of the coal industry’s demise. But when the car plant later closed in 1986, Bathgate experienced a severe economic slump.
Today, Bathgate is once again back on its feet, and exciting plans are in place for the town’s rapid expansion over the next 10 years. Bathgate is a Business Improvement District and one its greatest assets is the quality and diversity of local shops and services.
Places to visit in Bathgate
You can easily spend a few enjoyable hours exploring Bathgate’s plentiful stores. The great selection of fashion, gifts and jewellery on offer covers most visitors’ needs, whilst the town’s bridal emporiums and specialist cake makers can help in planning those once-in-a-lifetime occasions.
For a good rummage and the chance to pick up a real bargain, head to Bathgate’s open-air market, just off Whitburn Road. The market is open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
A wide range of restaurants provides Bathgate visitors with plenty of culinary choices to whet the appetite. As well as authentic Scottish cuisine, you can enjoy Chinese, Indian and Italian fare.
Bathgate has a vibrant nightlife, with plenty of popular pubs and bars to sample. Or you might like to spend an evening (or afternoon) at the recently refurbished Regal Theatre. From comedy and concerts to pantomimes and plays, the theatre has a jam-packed schedule of entertainment. You can also enjoy the live music scene at a number of local venues including Chalmers.
To learn more about Bathgate’s past, you can pay a visit to the Bennie Museum – the little cottage houses a permanent exhibition about the history of the town. Or don your hiking boots and take to the Bathgate Hills to discover Cairnpapple. The 4,000-year-old burial ground is one of Scotland’s most significant prehistoric sites.
In search of sporting pursuits? Then try your hand at fishing or golf – two Ryder Cup Captains have so far emerged from the local golf club. Bathgate Sports Centre also has plenty of activities on offer to inspire all ages.
A number of long-running events attract visitors to the area throughout the summer. If you’re visiting in May, join in the Bathgate and West Lothian Highland Games. In June, check out the Bathgate Procession and John Newlands Festival. Bathgate Music Festival in September is a more recent, not-to-be-missed addition to the calendar.
With so much to going on in the area, you may well want to extend your visit overnight. A good range of accommodation to suit all budgets is available in the area, including a number of household name hotels.
