Scotland’s ‘Great Improvement’ and It’s Realities
Throughout the 18th century, the Scottish Lowlands underwent a ‘Great Improvement’ that saw a completely new era for Scotland and its lowlands. This agricultural revolution was a result of Scotland’s ‘Great Enlightenment’ that completely transformed West Lothian and the whole of Scotland in effect. But what were the actual realities of this rural revolution? Well. […]
How Change on the Cult Estate led to the Discovery of Petroleum
On the land at the far West Point of West Lothian, almost at the border of West Lothian and Lanarkshire, you’ll find the site of the Old Cult Estate. Although damaged by fire, Cult House still proudly stands on the site, overlooking the old Glasgow to Edinburgh Turnpike Road. Later incorporated into expansion of the […]
Runrig and the Fermetoun
Have you ever looked at Old maps from centuries ago and saw your West Lothian town noted upon it? Yet you find it hard to find any Information of the goings on there over the centuries? I mean, if it was there back then, surely people must have done something all that time. So, how […]
The Lost Farming Communities of West Lothian
When you look around the countryside today, what do you see? Probably the rolling Bathgate Hills, Bings, Sprawling farms and tidy little stone walls or Tree lined hedges to contain them. But what if I told you that just a few centuries back, it was a totally different world. We’re talking about a landscape absolutely […]
From Grain to Gold
Today, were taking a look at a revolution that didnt just change Scotland, it completely redrew its map and rewrote its social contract. We’re going to follow the journey from the grain based Scottish Lowlands to thee Cash driven Economy that took it’s place. This is a true story of Grain that turned to Gold. […]
The Highland and Lowland Clearances – Which Impacted more
So, most of us are well aware of the Highland Clearances. A dispersing of the Scottish Highland Clans with the eviction and evacuation of hundreds of the Glens that were their homes. These 19th century clearances left the highlands a vast unpopulated land mass. However, It’s far less often, if ever, that we her about […]