Armadale, West Lothian

File:Armadale from the north-west.jpg

To the north of Armadale (Woodend Farm) is the site of Ogilface Castle.{{Canmore |num=47772|desc=Ogilface Castle |access-date=3 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.armadale.org.uk/archaeology3.htm|title=Ogelface Castle - Woodend Site Photos|work=armadale.org.uk}} Woodend Farm has another site nearer Blackridge, marked as 'Ogelface in ruins' on a 1773 map.{{cite web|url=http://www.armadale.org.uk/archaeology2.htm|title=Ogelface in Ruins - Blackridge Site Photos|work=armadale.org.uk}} These sites have been the subject of archaeological geophysics surveys and kite aerial photography by the Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society and the West Lothian Archaeological Trust which now also manages the Armadale Community and Heritage Website.{{cite web|url=http://www.armadale.org.uk/wlat.htm|title=West Lothian Archaeological Trust|work=armadale.org.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.armadale.org.uk/archaeologyindex.htm|title=West Lothian Archaeology Group|work=armadale.org.uk|access-date=31 January 2009|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226184128/http://www.armadale.org.uk/archaeologyindex.htm|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.eafs.org.uk/|title=Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society | Fostering an interest in archaeology since 1971}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kiteaerialphotography.org.uk|title=Kite Aerial Photography ( KAP )|work=kiteaerialphotography.org.uk|access-date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914013557/http://kiteaerialphotography.org.uk/|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=dead}}

Aside from the presence of the old castle, Armadale was little more than a rural farm community for most of its history, as part of a larger rural estate named Barbauchlaw (a corruption of 'Boar Baughlee'). However, this situation changed with the coming of the new turnpike road between Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1786, with Armadale having a location at a main highway junction on both the new regular east/west stagecoach route and also the old main north/south cattle droving route.{{cite book |last=Hendrie |first=William |date=1986 |title=Discovering West Lothian |location=Edinburgh |publisher=John Donald Publishers |page=184-201 |isbn=9780859761628}} This led to the establishment of a small village, including the establishment of a coaching inn (opening in 1797) and toll house. The toll house at Armadale was built where the new road intersected with an existing road in the east of the estate. The estate comprising the lands of Barbauchlaw was sold to Sir William Honeyman in 1790 {{cite web | url=http://home.freeuk.net/pastandpresent/index.htm | title=The History of Armadale | access-date=2010-12-27}} and upon his elevation to the bench in 1797 he took the title of Lord Armadale (from his mother's estate in Sutherland) and this name was then applied to the township.{{cite book|last=Hood|first=John|title=Old Armadale and Blackridge|year=2008|publisher=Stenlake Publishing|location=Catrine, Ayrshire|isbn=9781840334166|url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=481|access-date=6 February 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051816/http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=481|url-status=dead}}

In the late 1830s, Armadale was the scene of a major highway robbery, when the stagecoach between Glasgow and Edinburgh was robbed by four assailants. In the robbery, some £6000 in notes, gold and silver coins was stolen from a cargo trunk belonging to the Commercial Bank. Two of the robbers, George Gilchrist and George Davidson were found guilty of the robbery and sentenced to death. While Gilchrist was hanged in public on 3 August 1831, Davidson managed to escape with the aid of relatives and escaped on a ship, eventually settling in New York. The first post office arrived in the village in 1855. In 1857, a murder took place in Armadale on the road to Boghead in which the murderer, John McLean was subsequently hanged at Linlithgow in what became the last public execution in West Lothian. During the mid 19th century, the farms around Armadale increasingly used Irish labourers to assist with farm work and this eventually led to a notable incident in 1858, where a riot broke out between locals and Irish workers.The Lees led the attack on the Irish immigrants with the leader, John the Taigslayer, notorius for his bitter hatred of hard working people like the Meeks of a neighbouring village. Although the participants were armed with firearms, there were no fatalities. Also in 1858, the first church in Armadale, St Paul's Episcopal Chapel was built.{{cite book |last= Jaques and McKean |date=1 September 1994 |title= West Lothian - An Illustrated Architectural Guide |location=Scotland |publisher=The Rutland Press |page=54-56 |isbn=978-1873190258}}

File:Armadale War Memorial.jpg

The discovery of large coal deposits and also ironstone in the area attracted the attention of a number of companies and several pits were sunk in the area.{{cite book|last=Hood|first=John|title=Old Armadale|year=2007|publisher=Stenlake Publishing|location=Catrine, Ayrshire|isbn=9781840334166|url=http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=481|access-date=6 February 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051816/http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=481|url-status=dead}} A coal company was formed in 1819 and began to work the "Woodend Pit" to the north-west of the toll house. The resulting boost in prosperity brought railway companies onto the scene transporting an influx of workers requiring housing, shops and public buildings, transforming Armadale into a town. A school was first formed in the town also in this year, and it eventually became necessary to build a dedicated school house in 1839 to accommodate the growing number of students. By 1862, there were fifteen licensed pubs in the town. There were increasing concerns by some village residents over alcohol consumption in the area and by 1901, following a public meeting, a new Public House Society was created in the village. The Society sought to limit how much members could drink and they erected a new public house building under the Gothenburg Public House System. Known as the 'Goth', this building still stands today as a landmark on the Main Street. In 1924, a stone frontage with an Art Nouveau public clock tower, extensive columned interior and stained glass was added to the structure by Peddie and Kinnear. The building is Category C listed.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB45571|desc=ARMADALE, WEST MAIN STREET, THE GOTH|cat=C|access-date=3 July 2022}}

In 1870, a second church named the parish church was built in the town (with a belfry and pedimented porch). By 1912, the town had extensive coalfields, quarries, tile and brickworks and other industry. These included the Etna Brickworks, the Unicol Tile Works, the Atlas Brick Works and the West Works (demolished 1982).{{Canmore |num=151546 |desc=Armadale, Etna Brickworks |access-date=3 July 2022}}{{Canmore |num=213964 |desc=Armadale, Bathville, Unicol Tile Works |access-date=3 July 2022}}{{Canmore |num=213781 |desc=Armadale, Bathville, Atlas Brick Works |access-date=3 July 2022}}{{Canmore |num=213775 |desc=Armadale, Bathville, West Works |access-date=3 July 2022}}

In 1919, at the centre of the town (the Cross), a cast-iron memorial was erected. Erected by the public, the Kerr Memorial commemorates a Mrs Elizbeth Kerr who was fatally injured in the saving of a child from being run over by a passing motor car. In 1923, a large Miner's Welfare Institute was established in the town (it has since been converted to flats). Most of the mines and other industry in the town closed following the Second World War. As with most mineral dependent communities, as the deposits were exhausted and the pits closed, many moved away but enough local industry remained for the township to survive and today it has also become a commuting hub for those employed in the major towns, although the brickworks have now closed. Many areas of the town remain derelict (in 2024 it was reported that 77% of the population in the town live within 500m of a derelict site, comapred with 16% on average in West Lothian).{{cite web | title=Armadale has more derelict sites than any other community in West Lothian | website=The Edinburgh Reporter | date=2024-10-30 | url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2024/10/armadale-has-more-derelict-sites-than-any-other-community-in-west-lothian/ | access-date=2025-02-10}} In 1966, a new harled council office building was built in the town (it is now a Vets). In 2018, following a community fundraising effort, the town erected a new war memorial to those lost in wars from Armadale and the surrounding area.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/poignant-west-lothian-memorial-brave-13550020| title=Poignant West Lothian memorial to brave soldiers to local people killed in conflict unveiled | date=7 November 2018 |publisher=The Daily Record |access-date=3 July 2022}} The memorial was erected at Watson park in the town and includes a statue of a bagpiper.

File:West Main Street, Armadale, West Lothian.jpg

With the decline of local industry, most of Armadale is now residential, although some shops, including a new supermarket have been built.{{cite web | title=West Lothian Economic Profile | url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/3887/West-Lothian-Economic-Profile/pdf/2017-05-10_edited_economic_profile-2016-online-lo.pdf | access-date=2025-02-10}} Other businesses include a local pub and a car showroom. The town has an industrial estate, as well as a local garden centre (the Mill) on the edge of town.{{cite web | title=Armadale | website=website | url=https://www.visitwestlothian.co.uk/explore/armadale/ | access-date=2025-02-10}}

Armadale has a public library located on North Street.{{cite web|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/33621/Armadale-Library| title=Armadale Library |publisher=West Lothian Council |access-date=3 July 2022}} The Armadale Partnership Centre is a large community centre in the town that includes council services, event spaces, meeting rooms, a cafe and sports facilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/35877/Armadale-Partnership-Centre |title=Armadale Partnership Centre |publisher=West Lothian Council |access-date=3 July 2022}}

The town has a swimming pool, run by Xcite, and was given the name Jim Sibbald Swimming Pool in honour of a former councillor who had served the community for 30 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/swimming-pool-officially-renamed-after-11456202 | title=Swimming pool officially renamed after late West Lothian councillor | date=3 November 2017 |publisher=Daily Record |access-date=3 July 2022}}

Parks in Armadale include Watson Park (adjacent to the new war memorial), Nelson Park (once abandoned to flooding but renovated following the Queens Jubilee), and the Black Moss Nature Reserve (and Curling Pond).{{cite web|url=https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/abandoned-west-lothian-park-gets-22253148| title=Abandoned West Lothian park gets platinum promise ahead of Queen's Jubilee | date=23 November 2021 |publisher=Edinburgh Live |access-date=3 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/blackmoss/ | title=Blackmoor Moss |publisher=Woodland Trust|access-date=3 July 2022}} The Davie Kerr Heritage Walk is a round circular walk that encompasses the town and passes through historical sites and sites of natural interest within the town.{{cite book |last=Milne |first=Douglas |date=2019 |title=West Lothian. 40 Favourite Walks |publisher=Pocket Mountains Limited |isbn=9781907025723}}

In May 2013, following the death of Trustee Rosie Wells, and her subsequent bequest, the Armadale registered Scottish Charity No SC043118 (The West Lothian Archaeological Trust) set up the Scottish National Aerial Photography Scheme for children and students. International recognition came in the same month, with the Trust being invited to become an Associated Partner of the ArchaeoLandscapes Europe Project, part of the European Union's Culture Programme.

The railway first reached Armadale in 1855, when the Bathgate to Monklands section of the Monkland Railways reached the village. In 1858 the first passenger railway station was built. Railway passenger services terminated in 1956. In 2011, rail services returned to Armadale with the opening of Armadale railway station constructed as part of the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link.Located at the south end of Armadale it re-opened on 4 March 2011.{{cite web | url=http://www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk/ | title=Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link | access-date=2008-01-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060402210355/http://airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk/ | archive-date=2006-04-02 |url-status = dead}}

McGill's Scotland East and Lothian Country Buses also run bus services into the village linking Armadale with Blackridge, Whitburn, Bathgate, Livingston, Broxburn and Edinburgh.

A shared cycle and pedestrian path along the B8084 road was completed in 2021 following an investment of £1.2 million, providing an off-road cycle route and enabling pedestrian access to Whitburn.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-07-20|title=Cycle path now complete between Armadale and Whitburn|url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/07/cycle-path-now-complete-between-armadale-and-whitburn/|access-date=2022-02-24|website=The Edinburgh Reporter|language=en-US}}

File:Kite aerial photo of the Armadale Academy.JPG

The local high school Armadale Academy was originally built at the site that now plays host to Armadale Primary School.{{cite web|url=http://www.westlothian.org.uk/armadaleacademy/|title=www.westlothian.org.uk/armadaleacademy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318152038/http://www.westlothian.org.uk/armadaleacademy/|archive-date=2009-03-18|url-status = dead}} It was rebuilt and opened in 1967, at West Main Street, Armadale. It was again rebuilt and opened in August 2009, immediately behind the 1967 Academy building. The site of the old building now serves as car parking facilities, and new playing fields.

There are four primary schools in Armadale: Armadale primary school, St Anthony's RC primary school, Eastertoun primary school and the newer Southdale primary school. Armadale primary school occupies the former Academy building.

File:Kite aerial photo of the Drove Road, Armadale, West Lothian.jpg

Armadale Stadium features speedway.{{cite book | last1=Bamford | first1=R | last2=Jarvis | first2=J | year=2001 | title=Homes of British Speedway | isbn=0-7524-2210-3}} It was also used in the past for stock car racing and, until 2016, for greyhound racing. Speedway started in 1997 when the Edinburgh Monarchs{{cite book | last1=Henry | first1=J | last2=Moultray | first2=I | year=2001 | title=Speedway in Scotland | isbn=0-7524-2229-4 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/speedwayinscotla0000henr }} team moved here competing in the Premier League, which it won 5 times, until the 2016 season. Reorganisation of the sport the following year saw the team enter the SGB Championship. The town also has a long-established football team, Armadale Thistle, whose home, Volunteer Park, is located on North Street. Armadale Bowling Club located in South Street was established in 1867 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017.

The Armadale Flute Band, established in 1983, has won competitions all over Scotland.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

See :Category:People from Armadale, West Lothian

• William Angus, recipient of the Victoria Cross, was born in Armadale in 1888.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/tributes-paid-carluke-soldier-who-5870478| title=Tributes paid to Carluke soldier who was awarded Victoria Cross for his efforts in the First World War | date=15 June 2015 |publisher=Daily Record |access-date=3 July 2022}} There is a memorial stone to his birth at the railway station.
• Rev Dr Grant Barclay, Chaplain to the Queen{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/armadale-man-becomes-queens-chaplain-26933547| title=Armadale man becomes Queen's chaplain | date=11 May 2022 |publisher=The Daily Record |access-date=3 July 2022}}
• Writer Tom Hanlin{{Cite web|url=http://www.armadale.org.uk/tomhanlin.htm|title=Armadale|website=www.armadale.org.uk}} was born in Armadale in 1907.
• Ian Ellis, member of pioneering 60s/70s band Clouds, as well as many other famous bands of that era.The Encyclopaedia of Popular Music (Muze publications)

• John Walker, footballer, won Scottish League with Hearts, English League with Liverpool, five caps for Scotland

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.armadale.org.uk/ Armadale's community website]
• [http://www.geocities.com/armadalethistle/ Armadale Thistle FC]( {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026201722/http://geocities.com/armadalethistle/ |date=26 October 2009 }} 2009-10-25)
• [http://home.freeuk.net/pastandpresent/notes.htm History of Armadale]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060402210355/http://airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk/ Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Link]

{{Commons category|Armadale, West Lothian}}

{{West Lothian settlements}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Towns in West Lothian

Category:Mining communities in Scotland