While we delve Into the history of West Lothians Towns, Estates, Roads and Rivers, It can be easy to forget our county’s many farms. Many of these old farmsteads of West Lothian have been there far longer than many of the modern day Towns.

The Old Farmsteads of West Lothian

When you drive through the countryside, how often do you give any thought to the hundreds of Farmsteads that you pass? Most of them slightly off the beaten track, the majority of us just drive on completely oblivious to their existence. Sure, we see the farm on the hillside or down the brae. But how often do we give it any thought whatsoever, least of all it’s history?

Yet, believe it or not, some of these old farmsteads that you barely recognize are even there, haver history that long predates many of the old buildings.

From Fermetoun to Farm

Many of the farms that we see peppering our rural landscape were actually villages before they became modern farms. These were the old ‘Fermetouns’.Throughout the 18th century, the Lowlands of Scotland underwent a ‘Great Improvement’ spurred on by the ‘Enlightenment’ period of the time. This led to many pf these Fermetoun villages being cleared, demolished and turned into walls for the fields.

Farmsteads of West Lothian

If you browse the Index below, you can find the farm you would like to know more about. Simply click on your choice to explore.

What about Yours?

Do you know of a Farmstead or Rural settlement that Isn’t listed above? Tell us about It! Go to the Contact form and tell us about it. Even if you dont know much about it, send us what you do know anyway. Even If its just the name of the place. Let us know and we can research it.

Our vision for the West Lothian History Hub is to create an extensive database of Knowledge concerning everything there is to know about West Lothians past. A place where you can come to any time and find out anything you want to know about our county’s colourful past. An Interactive Hub where everyone can both benefit from and contribute to. But we cant do that without your help.

Let us Know!