Ballencrieff is a settlement in West Lothian, Scotland, situated equidistant between the towns of Bathgate and Torphichen and seven miles south of Linlithgow. Neighbouring towns are Armadale, Blackburn, Livingston, Stoneyburn and Whitburn. Edinburgh Airport is 16 miles (25 km) away, to the East. Ballencrieff is very close to the Neolithic burial site at Cairnpapple Hill, and the surrounding area shows signs of habitation since about 3500 BC. The name Ballencrieff comes from the Scottish Gaelic Baile na Craoibhe meaning "Farm by the tree".
Ballencrieff
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|---|---|
 Park, Ballencreiff Toll, created from a former colliery, looking south | |
  Ballencrieff Location within West Lothian | |
| OS grid reference | NS974702 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BATHGATE |
| Postcode district | EH48 |
| Dialling code | 01506 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
History
editMedieval Ballencrieff (1300–1600)
editIn 1599, on 25 January, Alexander Hamilton became the first Baron of Ballencrieff (and his wife Christine the Baroness), by Crown Charter from King James VI.
Modern Ballencrieff (21st century)
editThe area is dominated by agriculture and is home to farms and fisheries, such as Ballencrieff Farm. The Ballencrieff Fishery is well known for its trout, and welcomes fly anglers in their hundreds every year. In addition, tourists are also attracted by West Lothian's famous Standing Stones monuments, which surround Ballencrieff. The quarterly magazine Lothian Life - formerly known as 'West Lothian Life' - is produced at Ballencrieff Toll.
External links
edit
- Scottish Parliament website, Place-names document, page 14
- Streetmap.co.uk, Map of Ballencrieff
- A Vision of Britain Through Time, Ballencrieff[permanent dead link]
- VisitScotland.com, Ballencrieff Fishery
- Ballencrieff Fishery, official website
- The Megalithic Portal, Ballencrieff Standing Stones
- Lothian Life magazine
- West Lothian Life magazine, contact details
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