In this part of our web guide, we will discuss the Scottish town of Bathgate, in West Lothian, and provide links to some online resources related to the community.
Bathgate is about eighteen miles west of Edinburgh and twenty-three miles east of Glasgow. Adjacent to the MB motorway, the town is accessible from both major cities. Nearby towns include Livingston, Linlithgow, and West Calder, and surrounding villages include Blackburn, Whitburn, Stoneyburn, Armadale, Torphichen, and Fauldhouse.
Bathgate is near Bathgate Hills, a range of low hills that provide a scenic backdrop to the town. An ancient Neolithic burial site has been found at Cairnpapple Hill, just two miles south of Bathgate.
The area that includes Bathgate shows signs of human habitation dating back to around 3500 BC. The world's oldest known reptile fossil was discovered in Bathgate.
Bathgate's name has evolved over the years. In royal charters between the 12th and 14th centuries, the name of the town appeared as Bathchet (1160), Bathket (1250), and Bathgetum (1316). It was Batket in the 14th century, and by the 15th century, it appeared as both Bathgat and Bathcat. The name is believed to be a corruption of the earlier Cumbric baedd coed, meaning "Boar Wood."
Around 1160, King Malcolm IV sent emissaries to Bathgate to measure out an area of land to form the basis of Bathgate Parish. The church and its land were then placed under the Holyrood Abbey.
In 1350, the daughter of King Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce), Marjorie Bruce, married Walter Stewart, and the dowry to her husband included the lands and castle of Bathgate. Walter died at the castle in 1326. Few traces of the castle remain today, and Bathgate's former parish church was absorbed by a later build in 1739 when a new church was constructed on the site. This structure served until 1882.
Bathgate's economy has undergone significant changes over the centuries. In the 17th century, local mines were established, but the town remained relatively small until the Industrial Revolution. Bathgate became an important industrial and mining center during the Victorian era, known for its coal and shale oil industries. However, by the early 20th century, much of the mining and heavy industry had ceased, and the town shifted towards manufacturing, particularly in vehicle production and electronics. Today, Bathgate serves as a regional community town.
Bathgate boasts several cultural and historical attractions. The Bennie Museum, located in two restored cottages, offers a glimpse into Bathgate's history and industries. The museum features a variety of exhibits, including Roman coins, local glass bottles, and historical photographs.
Other notable attractions include Bathgate's Steelyard, Bathgate High Church, Cairnpapple Hill, Torphichen Preceptory, and the Scottish Owl Centre, the latter of which is not in town but nearby.
Today, Bathgate is a small but thriving community with a population nearing 24,000. The town hosts the annual West Lothian Highland Games at Meadow Park, a traditional event that attracts visitors from across the region. Bathgate also offers recreational activities like fishing, golf, and walking tours.
The Bathgate Procession and Community Festival was established as Newland's Day in honor of John Newland, an early town benefactor. However, since Newland used slaves to harvest his sugar cane crop in the West Indies, the name was changed in 2020 as a result of "Black Lives Matter" protests.
Bathgate is home to the Bathgate Thistles. This football club plays its home games at Creamery Park, and competes in the East of Scotland Football League.
Bathgate is rich in history and culture, with a dynamic economy that has evolved over the centuries. While not boasting a vast population, the town's geographical location, historical significance, and cultural assets add to its notability.
Appropriate topics for this category include websites representing governmental entities within the town as well as local businesses, industries, schools, churches, museums, historical places, art galleries, entertainment venues, organisations, and events.
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Established by the Bathgate Community Council as part of the "Putting Bathgate on the Map" project, the site is intended as a guide to the town for residents and visitors. Includes is a profile and history of the town, local publications, a town blog, tourism information, a calendar of events (diary), and a directory of local restaurants, with links to their respective websites. Local businesses and organisations are featured on the site, and the Bathgate Community Development Trust is featured.
https://bathgate.town/
Opened in 1989, the local museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Bathgate, Scotland. Operated entirely by volunteers under the management of a local trust, the museum features special exhibitions that cover topics like the annual Newlands Day Procession, local anniversaries, and general interest topics. It also organises public lectures twice a year. The museum is open nearly every day of the year, with free admission. Its opening times and collections are highlighted.
https://www.benniemuseum.org.uk/
The family-friendly church in Bathgate, Scotland, is part of the Every Nation global family, a network of churches and campus ministries. The church meets at Simpson Primary School on Leyland Road on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and also includes Bible-based messages, worship music, and programmes for children. It also has small groups that meet throughout the week for fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. A calendar of events, a sermon archive, and contacts are posted on the site.
https://centrepointchurch.org/bathgate
Affiliated with the Foursquare Gospel Alliance, Encounter Church is located on North Bridge Street in Bathgate, Scotland. The congregation holds services on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and gatherings are also held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Its location, church history, statement of faith, and staff introductions are featured, and recordings of sermons and Bible teachings are archived. The address, a map, and contacts are provided on the site.
https://www.enchbathgate.com/
Located in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland, FLOAT is a luxury float therapy wellness centre offering a range of services designed to help improve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and pain. The float therapy programme uses float pods filled with over 525 kg of high-grade Epsom salt to help relieve tension and promote relaxation, customizable lights, and music. Also available is an infrared sauna, offering benefits like detoxification, pain relief, and relaxation, and an ice bath.
https://www.floatscotland.co.uk/
Sarajia Islamic Studies and Community Centre
Bathgate Mosque was established in 1994 by the local community of West Lothian, serving as a Masjid as well as an education centre. Located on Whitburn Road in Bathgate, the name "Sarajia Islamic Studies" was suggested by Muslim scholars in the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The centre offers daily prayers, adult and youth classes, after-school classes, Quran, Tajwid, Urdu, and Arabic lessons, and community support initiatives. Contacts and schedules are posted.
https://www.bathgatemosque.com/
