Commonly known as Bo'ness, Borrowstounness is a seaport town on the south bank of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland.
Grangemouth is about three miles south-west of Bo'ness, while Falkirk is six miles west, and Linlithgow is a couple of miles beyond Falkirk. Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, is around sixteen miles north-west.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited as far back as the Mesolithic era. The town dates back to the Roman occupation. Roman artefacts and a fortlet were found in the area, and the Antonine Wall marks its eastern borders.
Bo'ness began as a small hamlet inland from the current town centre. Its strategic location on the Firth of Forth made it attractive to early settlers.
Early industries included salt production, with industrial salt-making operations using coal fires to evaporate seawater along the coast. Coal mining, fisheries, and pottery production were also significant industries.
Bo'ness was a vital port during the Industrial Revolution and Victorian era. Driven by its coal mining and shipbuilding industries, the town's commercial port was a central hub for shipping until the late 20th century. However, decentralization led to the closure of its port in 1959 due to silting, and its coal mind closed in 1982.
However, some industries, including ironworks and timberyards, are still operating. In 2019, Ballantine Castings, a revived company, produced ironwork replacements for the Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth Tower.
The town is home to the Museum of Scottish Railways and a regional motor museum, which attract tourists to Bo'ness and contribute to the local economy. Other attractions include remnants of the Antonine Wall and Roman fortlets.
Just west of Bo'ness, Kinneil House is located in a public park that also incorporates a section of the Antonine Wall. On the grounds of the Kinneil House are the ruins of the small cottage where James Watt worked on his experimental steam engine and the steam cylinder of a Newcomen engine, and the remains of an engine house are in Kinningars Park, off Harbour Road.
Bo'ness has one secondary school (Bo'ness Academy) and five primary schools (Kinneil Primary School, Deanburn Primary School, Bo'ness Public School, St. Mary's Primary School, and the Grange School).
There are several churches in Bo'ness, some of them historical. These include Bo'ness Old Kirk, Carriden Parish Church, St. Andrew's Parish Church, Craigmailen United Free Church, St. Catharine's Episcopal Church, Bo'ness Apostolic Church, Bo'ness Baptist Church, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, and Bo'ness Salvation Army Church. Craigmailen United Free Church is a Victorian Gothic structure built between 1883 and 1885, while Bo'ness Old Kirk is a Victorian building constructed in 1888, replacing a much older building.
Today, Bo'ness has a diverse economy, although it is largely a commuter town that relies heavily on tourism. Many of its residents work in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Falkirk, but several attractions bring others to town.
Among the town's attractions are the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, the Birkhill Fireclay Mine, and the local motor museum, with Kinneil House on the western edge of town.
Bo'ness is also home to the refurbished Hippodrome Cinema, the oldest picture house in Scotland. The Barony Theatre, located in the former Borowstoun Primary School, is home to the Barony Players and also hosts visiting theatre companies.
The town's library is located in a restored early 18th-century building, previously the West Pier Tavern.
Bo'ness United, a football club, plays its home games in Bo'ness, and Bo'ness Academy has a rugby team, Bo'ness Rugby Football Club.
This portion of our guide focuses on the town of Borrowstounness (Bo'ness), Scotland. Local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, museums, libraries, historical places, entertainment venues, attractions, and events are appropriate for this category.
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Established in 2002, the Bo'ness, Scotland furniture company carries products from top furniture manufacturers and designers. Its address, telephone number, email address, VAT registration number, and hours of operation are posted, along with its catalogue of sofas and chairs, living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining, and office furniture, accessories, clearance items, and brands. An interior design and room planning guide is included, and contacts are posted.
https://www.belgicafurniture.com/
BA is a mixed secondary school in Bo'ness, Falkirk, Scotland. The school opened in 1931, was extended in the late 1950s, and further expanded in 1971 and 2000. Serving children aged 12 to 18, the school receives pupils from Blackness Primary School, Bo'ness Public Primary School, Deanburn Primary School, Grange Primary School, and Kinneil Primary School. Schedules, curriculum, school handbook, staff, career opportunities, and contact data are posted on the site, and a mobile app is available.
https://www.bonessacademy.com/
Located in Bo'ness, Scotland, the company offers various services, including arbitration, liquidations, receiverships, relocation sales, stock appraisals, general auctioneering duties, estate clearance and settlement, and valuations for insurance and IHT purposes. Auction sales can be held either at the client's premises or at the Auction Company's well-equipped salesroom. An overview of its services, sales dates, a catalogue, address, and opening times are posted.
https://www.bonessauctioncompany.com/
Situated on Market Street in Bo'ness, Scotland, the Spinal Health Center offers chiropractic care and massage. Its chiropractors are full members of the Scottish Chiropractic Association and registered with the General Chiropractic Council, while its massage therapists are trained at the Western School of Massage and are members of professional massage associations. Its services, appointment policies and contacts, team, and client reviews are posted on the website.
https://www.bonessspinalhealth.co.uk/
Offering views of the River Forth, the Richmond Park Hotel is a family-run hotel in Bo'ness, Scotland. A ten-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport, the facility offers easy access to Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, the Falkirk Wheel, and Hopetoun House. The hotel offers a selection of rooms, including standard single, double, or twin, superior double, superior twin, family room, honeymoon suite, or Park View suit, each of which are featured here, with prices and online bookings.
https://richmondparkhotel.com/
