Bo'ness

Bo'ness (originally known as Borrowstounness) is a small town in Scotland, lying on a hillside on the south bank of the River Forth. It should not be confused with Bowness-on-Windermere in England. It is in the Council Area of Falkirk, although it is often referred to as being in West Lothian.

Related Topics:
Town - Scotland - River Forth - Bowness-on-Windermere - England - Falkirk - West Lothian

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In the Roman period, it lay at the eastern end of the Antonine Wall. Present-day attractions in the town include the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway and the Birkhill Clay Mine. Kinneil House, built by the powerful Hamilton family in the 15th century, lies on the west edge of the town. In the grounds are a cottage where James Watt lived and worked and the boiler of a Newcomen engine engine he built.

Related Topics:
Roman - Antonine Wall - Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway - Hamilton - James Watt - Newcomen engine

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The town was a recognised port from the 16th century; a harbour was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1707. The harbour, constructed progressively during the 18th century, was extended and complemented by a dry dock in 1881 (works designed by civil engineers Thomas Meik and Patrick Meik). The commercial port (heavily used for the transport of coal and pit props) eventually closed in 1959, badly affected by silting and the gradual downturn of the Scottish coal-mining industry. Plans exist to reopen the port.

Related Topics:
16th century - Parliament - 1707 - 18th century - 1881 - Civil engineer - Thomas Meik - Patrick Meik - 1959

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Bo'ness was a site for coal mining from medieval times. Clay mining was carried out on a smaller scale. The shore was the site of industrial salt making, evaporating sea water over coal fires. The town was home to sizable potteries, one product being the black wally dogs which sat in pairs over many fireplaces. Metalworking is still carried out and the Bo'ness Iron Company's drain covers are to be found in many far flung places.

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Bo'ness is now a commuter town, with many of its residents travelling to work in Edinburgh or Glasgow. The other main source of employment are the petrochemical facilities located in nearby Grangemouth.

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Bo'ness, however, is set for major regeneration with the announcement in November 2004 of a £150m investment by Dutch company ING to transform the harbour, docks and foreshore with a marina, shopping and housing development. Proposals can be see on the Bo'ness web site.

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The plans have also been given a boost through independent research by the National Economic Foundation which showed Bo'ness in third place in a "top 10" of towns which had managed to retain their individual character.

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Only Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and Peebles in the Scottish Borders were ahead of Bo'ness in the table.

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The town centre is also set for a 're-vamp' through the THI (Townscape Heritage Initiative) with a £5m investment funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Falkirk Council, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley together with Euro funding.

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