Broxburn

Broxburn
Population	12,892  (2001 census) est. 14,140 (2006)
OS grid reference	NT081722
Council area	West Lothian
Lieutenancy area	West Lothian
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Broxburn
Postcode district	EH52
Dialling code	01506
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Livingston constituency
Scottish Parliament	Livingston constituency

Broxburn is a town in West Lothian, Scotland located 12 miles (19 km) west of Edinburgh on the A8 road. It is situated approximately 5 miles (8.0 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.

History

Greendykes Road today

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 of Scotland

Eastertoun was burned to the ground sometime in 1443-4 during a conflict between William Douglas, Lieutenant-General of Scotland, and William Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland. It was destroyed again in 1455 during fighting between the Douglases and King James II of Scotland. After the conflict was resolved the village 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. The name most likely derives from Brooks burn - brook (or bourn) meaning a boundary, and burn meaning a stream. Later Brooks burn became Brox burn and so Broxburn. Brox may also derive from broch, a Celtic round tower fortification, or from "brock", the old Celtic word for badger.

Industry

Past

Former Broxburn Shale Oil Works Taken from the top of the tip comprising the waste rock from which the oil has been extracted, the surviving buildings of the former shale oil works, now known as Albyn Industrial Estate, are in the middle of the picture, with the villages of Broxburn and, to the right, Uphall beyond and some of the buildings of Livingston New Town visible on the far skyline.

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.

• 
  Union Canal
• 
  Swans on the canal
• 
  Between Bridges 26 and 27

Notable people

Broxburn is the birthplace of director Michael Caton-Jones (director), Andrew Fairlie (actor)[1], Mark Burchill (footballer), Steven Craig (footballer), Bill Bann (footballer) and one time England Test cricketer and Scottish one day international Gavin Hamilton. Calum Logan (bowler) Scottish Junior Singles Champion 2010/2011

Education

Broxburn has four schools, all state funded, Broxburn Primary, Kirkhill Primary, St Nicholas Primary (RC) and Broxburn Academy.

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.

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 Livingston constituency of the Scottish Parliament.

Transport

Broxburn has regular links to Edinburgh, Livingston, Linlithgow, Edinburgh Airport and Leith. Operators serving the town include, First, E&M Horsburgh, and Nordi Travel. The nearest railway station is at Uphall Station providing links to Livingston, Bathgate, Airdrie, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

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, Hopehall Evangelical 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.

Bibliography

Canule, Canule, Birnin Bricht by David Kerr, 2005
Discovering West Lothian by William F. Hendrie, John Donald Publishers Ltd, Edinburgh, 1986
A History of Broxburn by Peter Caldwell
Strathbrock Area Guide prepared and published by Uphall Community Council with assistance from Broxburn Community Council and Ecclesmachan & Threemiletown Community Council

References

Broxburn Football Story, www.broxburnfootball.co.uk

External links

• Broxburn On The Web
• Undiscovered Scotland, Broxburn
• Sure Start Local Information on Broxburn
• Broxburn Community Council
• Broxburn & Uphall Traders' Association
• West Lothian Council
• National Library of Scotland: SCOTTISH SCREEN ARCHIVE (archive films about Broxburn)
• Ss John Cantius and Nicholas
• Orange Order in Broxburn