Brightons

The village was built up around the sandstone quarry - known as Brighton Quarry{{Cite book |last=Hood |first=John |title=Old Polmont, Laurieston, Redding and Brightons |publisher=Stenlake Publishing Ltd |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-84033-911-6 |location=Catrine |pages=3}} - which was in operation from as early as the 17th Century.[http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk/home/index.php?id=32 Falkirk Local History Society - Polmont and Brightons], www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-12 The Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal was built to the south of the village in 1822 and connects the village with the two main cities of Scotland. Later stone was carried by the canal to help build Edinburgh's new town in the 1830s and Falkirk's public buildings in the 1850s. The local church was built between 1846 and 1847 from stone quarried in the village and gifted by the quarry owner, Alexander Lawrie.[http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/community/cultural_services/museums/archives/finding_aids/PDFs/churches/brightons_parish.pdf Falkirk Council Cultural Services - Guide To Archives - Brightons Parish Church] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621225530/http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/community/cultural_services/museums/archives/finding_aids/PDFs/churches/brightons_parish.pdf |date=June 21, 2011 }}, www.falkirk.gov.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-12 The old quarry was then named Lawrie Park in his honour, though newer residents to the village call it Quarry Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/parks-estates/laurie-park.aspx|title=Laurie Park|work=Parks & Estates|publisher=Falkirk Council|accessdate=8 December 2017}}

Brightons is well catered for a village of its size. Main Street and Station Road include a pharmacy, a café, a Chinese takeaway, two grocers, a butcher, a florist, a hairdresser, a tanning shop, and an estate agent. Lawrie Park is a recreational area which has two football pitches, one of which is the home of Brightons F.C. Brightons Parish Church is located next to the community hall on Main Street.

Due to its position, almost equidistant between Glasgow and Edinburgh the village has become a popular commuter location, with many new houses built since the start of the 1980s. Both the main Glasgow to Edinburgh and the Dunblane to Edinburgh trains stop at Polmont railway station which is within easy reach of Brightons. The M9 motorway to Edinburgh and Stirling is also easily accessible. Based on the United Kingdom 2011 census, Falkirk council reported the population of Brightons as being 4,461 residents.{{cite web|url=https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/council-democracy/statistics-census/docs/census/2011/6%20Settlement%20Population%20and%20Household%20Estimates.pdf?v=201406020914|title=Settlement Population and Household Estimates|date=November 2013|work=Insight 2011 census|publisher=Falkirk Council|accessdate=8 December 2017}}

Despite its name Wallacestone Primary School is located within Brightons which sends its pupils to the local high school, Braes High School, in the neighbouring village of Reddingmuirhead.

• Falkirk Braes villages
• List of places in Falkirk council area

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Category:Villages in Falkirk (council area)