“Carriden is the site of the eastern terminal fort of the Antonine Wall, although there is, as yet, no evidence to demonstrate that it was physically part of the frontier.” - Historic Environment Scotland Did you know the Carriden area of Bo’ness was once called Velunia? The name was given to the local Roman fort,… Continue reading Carriden’s Roman roots
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Harking back to when coal was king
Today it’s a haven for wildlife and walkers. But the site of Kinneil Nature Reserve was once home to the last colliery in Bo’ness. The National Coal Board started construction on new pit buildings at Kinneil in 1951. Works were completed in 1956. The plaque that once adorned the pit buildings - marking completion of… Continue reading Harking back to when coal was king
Kinneil Museum welcomes back visitors
Kinneil Museum in Bo'ness has re-opened to visitors after a four-month closure. The Museum features interactive displays and an audio video show highlighting the story of Kinneil and the wider Bo'ness area. The Museum is normally open every day except Tuesdays from 12.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free of charge.
Kinneil Estate features in new film about Roman Wall
Kinneil Estate in Bo'ness is one of the locations for a new film about the Roman Antonine Wall. The mini movie highlights the work of the Rediscovering Antonine Wall project, part-financed by the National Lottery through its Heritage Fund. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoAXqoROp9U Discover more about the Antonine Wall on this website.
End of an era: the closure of Bo’ness Dock
It was the end of an era. On Tuesday, June 30, 1959, Bo’ness Dock was closed to commercial trade. A large crowd turned out to see the final vessel – a Dutch ship – sail out of the dock the next evening. The closure brought to an end a two-year fight between local people and… Continue reading End of an era: the closure of Bo’ness Dock
Going full steam ahead to Bo’ness
Seaview Place car park in Bo’ness was once home to the town’s original railway station. Work started on creating a branch line – an extension of the Slamannan Railway – in the 1840s, with the first revenue-earning train running in 1851. Initially the track was used to carry goods from the busy industrial complexes around… Continue reading Going full steam ahead to Bo’ness
When witches were burned at the stake
December 23, 1679: five women and one man were burned at the stake at the glebe of Corbiehall (near the current Corbie Inn pub) in Bo'ness. The six had been found guilty of the “abominable cryme of witchcraft”. The court ordered that they were to be “wirried at a steak till they be dead …… Continue reading When witches were burned at the stake
Bo’ness and the search for ‘white gold’
“During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, both shores of the Firth of Forth were studded with salt pans, and a big export trade was developed.” -Historian TJ Salmon It was once called “white gold”. Sea salt was harvested in Scotland for hundreds of years – with the first salt pans being developed in the 12th… Continue reading Bo’ness and the search for ‘white gold’
A harbour for coal – and eggs!
A pier at Bridgeness first appeared on a map of 1775. Its small harbour, shown in the picture here, was used by vessels employed in the coal trade. It also welcomed boats carrying eggs from the Orkney Islands. Later Bridgeness and (further east along the shoreline) Carriden became a centre for shipbreaking. Nearby was a… Continue reading A harbour for coal – and eggs!
Bid to attract visitors to Estate and Nature Reserve
A NEW push to attract tourists to Bo’ness got underway this week. Bo’net – which represents dozens of groups in the town – updated and republished its free map and guide to attractions in the area. Copies will be available from local libraries and other outlets in the district. You can also download a PDF… Continue reading Bid to attract visitors to Estate and Nature Reserve
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