Philpstoun
Encyclopedia
Philpstoun is a small village in West Lothian
, Scotland, situated roughly 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the historic county town of Linlithgow
. The village originated in the oil shale
mining boom of the 19th century. Surrounded by rich arable farm land, the village has a Community Education Centre, a Category B listed church, and a bowling club. Philpstoun railway station
closed in 1951.
The bulk of the village lies between the Union Canal
and the Glasgow–Edinburgh railway line
, although the easternmost part, Old Philpstoun, lies north of the railway and closer to the M9 motorway.
. The building was constructed around 1910, originally being referred to as "The Institute at Philpstoun." The building was commissioned by James Ross and Co., Philpstoun Oil Works Ltd, and was constructed along with the three rows of terraced houses to the north of the centre in a development referred to as the "Philpstoun Garden City."
In 2007, West Lothian Council handed the running of the building over to Philpstoun Community Education Association (PCEA). Supported by West Lothian Council, PCEA is a voluntary organisation composed of members from the groups which use the centre. The centre contains three meeting spaces and a kitchen, and is wheelchair accessible. It is regularly used by the Philpstoun Parent and Toddler Group, the Scottish Women's Rural Institute and two Council-run youth clubs. The hall is also used for local councillors' surgeries and as a polling station.
West Lothian
West Lothian is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire, the Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire....
, Scotland, situated roughly 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the historic county town of Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
. The village originated in the oil shale
Oil shale
Oil shale, an organic-rich fine-grained sedimentary rock, contains significant amounts of kerogen from which liquid hydrocarbons called shale oil can be produced...
mining boom of the 19th century. Surrounded by rich arable farm land, the village has a Community Education Centre, a Category B listed church, and a bowling club. Philpstoun railway station
Philpstoun railway station
Philpstoun railway station was a railway station in the village of Philpstoun, to the east of Linlithgow in West Lothian, Scotland. It was located on the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.- History :...
closed in 1951.
The bulk of the village lies between the Union Canal
Union Canal (Scotland)
The Union Canal is a 31.5-mile canal in Scotland, from Lochrin Basin, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh to Falkirk, where it meets the Forth and Clyde Canal.-Location and features:...
and the Glasgow–Edinburgh railway line
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line
The Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line is a mainline railway line linking Glasgow and Edinburgh via Falkirk in Scotland. It is the principal route out of the four rail links between Scotland's two biggest cities, hosting the flagship "Shuttle" service between and .- Places served :The route...
, although the easternmost part, Old Philpstoun, lies north of the railway and closer to the M9 motorway.
Community centre
Philpstoun Community Education Centre is owned and maintained by West Lothian CouncilWest Lothian Council
West Lothian Council is one of 32 local authorities in Scotland and has 32 elected members Councillors who are elected every 4 years.The Council makes its decisions at its meetings, or those of its Committees and Sub-Committees....
. The building was constructed around 1910, originally being referred to as "The Institute at Philpstoun." The building was commissioned by James Ross and Co., Philpstoun Oil Works Ltd, and was constructed along with the three rows of terraced houses to the north of the centre in a development referred to as the "Philpstoun Garden City."
In 2007, West Lothian Council handed the running of the building over to Philpstoun Community Education Association (PCEA). Supported by West Lothian Council, PCEA is a voluntary organisation composed of members from the groups which use the centre. The centre contains three meeting spaces and a kitchen, and is wheelchair accessible. It is regularly used by the Philpstoun Parent and Toddler Group, the Scottish Women's Rural Institute and two Council-run youth clubs. The hall is also used for local councillors' surgeries and as a polling station.