West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council
areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh,
Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Falkirk. The
council area was created in 1996, under the Local Government etc. (Scotland)
Act 1994, with the boundaries of the West Lothian district of the Lothian
region.
Armadale is a town within the district of West Lothian in central Scotland.
Armadale, formerly known as Barbauchlaw, is an ex-mining town. It is named
after Armadale in Sutherland, this estate being owned by Sir William
Honeyman who later acquired the land of Barbauchlaw.
Bathgate is a rapidly
growing town in West Lothian, on the M8 motorway five miles (8 km) west of
Livingston. Neighbouring towns are Blackburn, Armadale, Fauldhouse,
Whitburn, Livingston, Stoneyburn, and Linlithgow. Edinburgh Airport is 13
miles (21 km) away. Situated 2 miles (3km) south of the Neolithic burial
site at Cairnpapple Hill, Bathgate and the surrounding area show signs of
habitation since about 3500 BC.
Broxburn is a town in West Lothian, located 12 miles (19 km) west of
Edinburgh on the A8 road. It is situated approximately 5 miles (9 km) from
Edinburgh Airport, and to the north of Livingston. 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, broadening its cultural diversity.
Linlithgow is a town and former Royal Burgh in West Lothian. Those born in
Linlithgow are sometimes nicknamed Black Bitches, and the town's coat of
arms shows a black bitch dog, chained to an oak tree, which grows on an
island. Linlithgow's patron saint is Saint Michael and its motto is St.
Michael is kinde to strangers. The town is served by Linlithgow railway
station.
Livingston is the fourth post-war new town to be built in Scotland,
designated in 1962. It is located approximately 15 miles (25 km) west of
Edinburgh and 30 miles (50 km) east of Glasgow, and is bordered by the towns
of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest.
Livingston is the largest town in the West Lothian area. It was built around
a collection of small villages, Livingston Village, Bellsquarry and
Livingston Station (now Nether Dechmont or Deans ). It contains a number of
residential precincts or areas. These include Craigshill, Howden, Dedridge,
Ladywell, Knightsridge, Murieston, Adambrae, Deans and Eliburn. Its
neighbouring villages include Polbeth, West Calder, East Calder, Mid Calder,
Uphall Station and Pumpherston. Livingston itself is the 7th largest town in
Scotland, based on 2004 population estimates [1]. The 2001 census showed the
town had a population of 50,826 (24,451 male and 26,375 female) and an urban
agglomeration population (including Mid Calder and East Calder) of 59,511.
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