West Lothian: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|Council area of Scotland}}
	{{redirect3\|Linlithgowshire\|See also ]}}
			{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2023}}
	{{See also\|West Lothian (UK Parliament constituency)\|West Lothian question}}
			{{Use British English\|date=November 2019}}
	{{infobox Scotland council area\|
			{{Infobox settlement
	\|Council= West Lothian<br>''Wast Lowden<br>Lodainn an Iar''
			\| name = West Lothian
	\|image_logo = Westlothian.png
			\| native_name = {{Unbulleted list
	\|image_coat =W_Lothian_council_arms.png
			\|{{native name\|gd\|Lodainn an Iar}}
	\|Image= ]
			\|{{native name\|sco\|Wast Lowden}}
	\|SizeRank= 20th
			}}
	\|Size= 427
			\| settlement_type = ] and ]
	\|Water= ?
			\| image_skyline =
	\|AdminHQ= ]
			\| imagesize =
	\|ISO= GB-WLN
			\| image_alt =
	\|ONS= 00RH
			\| image_caption =
	\| latd = 55 \|latm = 55 \|lats = \|latNS = N \|longd = 3 \|longm = 30 \|longs = \|longEW = W
			\| image_flag =

			\| flag_alt =
	\|CouncilDetails= West Lothian Council
			\| image_shield = Coat of arms of West Lothian Council.svg
	\|website=http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/
			\| shield_alt =
	\|Control= <!-- Edit (with refs per WP:VERIFY) at ] -->
			\| shield_link =
	\|MPs=
			\| image_blank_emblem =
	* ]
			\| blank_emblem_size =
	* ]
			\| blank_emblem_type =
	\|MSPs=
			\| blank_emblem_link =
	* ]
			\| etymology =
	* ]
			\| nickname =
			\| motto =
			\| image_map = West Lothian UK location map.svg
			\| map_alt =
			\| map_caption = West Lothian shown within ]
			\| coordinates = {{coord\|55\|55\|N\|3\|30\|W\|region:GB_type:adm2nd\|display=inline,title}}
			\| subdivision_type = ]
			\| subdivision_name = ]
			\| subdivision_type1 = ]
			\| subdivision_name1 = ]
			\| subdivision_type2 =
			\| subdivision_name2 =
			\| subdivision_type3 = ]
			\| subdivision_name3 =
			\| subdivision_type4 =
			\| subdivision_name4 =
			\| established_title = Unitary authority
			\| established_date = ]
			\| established_title1 =
			\| established_date1 =
			\| established_title2 =
			\| established_date2 =
			\| named_for =
			\| seat_type = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
			\| seat = ]
			\| parts_type =
			\| parts =
			<!-- Government -->
			\| government_footnotes = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web \|url=https://westlothian.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy \|title=Councillors and Democracy \|website=West Lothian Council \|access-date=15 September 2024}}</ref>
			\| government_type = ]
			\| governing_body = ]
			\| leader_title = ]
			\| leader_name = {{UK council control\|GSS=S12000040}}
			\| leader_title1 =
			\| leader_name1 =
			\| leader_title2 =
			\| leader_name2 =
			\| leader_title3 = ]
			\| leader_name3 = {{Collapsible list \|title=2 MPs
			\|] (])
			\|] (])
			}}
			\| leader_title4 = ]
			\| leader_name4 = {{Collapsible list \|title=2 MSPs
			\|] (])
			\|] (])
	}}		}}
			<!-- Area -->
	{{infobox Scotland county\|
			<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
	\|County=West Lothian
			\| area_footnotes = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
	\|Image=WestLothianTraditional.png
			\| area_total_km2 = {{UK subdivision area\|GSS=S12000040}}
	\|SizeRank=32nd
			\| area_land_km2 =
	\|Size=310.8
			\| area_water_km2 =
	\|CountyTown=]
			\| area_rank = ]
	\|Main Towns= ]<br>]
			<!-- Population -->
	\|ChapmanCode=WLN
			\| population_footnotes = <ref name="popstats" />
			\| population_as_of = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
			\| population_total = {{UK subdivision population\|GSS=S12000040}}
			\| population_rank = ]
			\| population_density_km2 = {{UK subdivision density\|GSS=S12000040}}
			\| population_demonym =
			<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
			\| demographics_type1 =
			\| demographics1_footnotes =
			\| demographics1_title1 =
			\| demographics1_info1 =
			<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
			\| demographics_type2 =
			\| demographics2_footnotes =
			\| demographics2_title1 =
			\| demographics2_info1 =
			\| timezone1 = ]
			\| utc_offset1 = +0
			\| timezone1_DST = ]
			\| utc_offset1_DST = +1
			<!-- Codes -->
			\| postal_code_type = ]
			\| postal_code =
			\| area_code_type = ]
			\| area_code =
			\| iso_code = ]
			\| blank1_name = ]
			\| blank1_info = S12000040
			\| website = {{URL\|westlothian.gov.uk}}
	}}		}}
	'''West Lothian''' ({{lang-sco\|Wast Lowden}}, {{lang-gd\|Lodainn an Iar}}) is one of the 32 ] of ], and a historic county (which was also known as '''Linlithgowshire'''). It borders the ], ], ], the ] and ].

			'''West Lothian''' ({{langx\|sco\|Wast Lowden}}; {{langx\|gd\|Lodainn an Iar}}) is one of the 32 ], bordering (in a clockwise direction) the ], ], ], ] and ]. The modern council area was formed in 1975 when the ], also known as Linlithgowshire, was reshaped substantially as part of local government reforms; some areas that had formerly been part of ] were added to a new West Lothian ] within the ] of ], whilst some areas in the north-west were transferred to the Falkirk District and areas in the north-east were transferred to the ] District. In 1996 West Lothian became a unitary authority area, using the same name and territory as in 1975.
	The council area was created in 1996, under the ], with the boundaries of the West Lothian ] of the ] ].

			West Lothian lies on the southern shore of the ] and is predominantly rural, though there were extensive coal, iron, and shale oil mining operations in the 19th and 20th centuries which created distinctive red-spoil heaps (locally known as "]s") throughout the council area. The old county town was the ] of ], but the largest town (and the second-largest town in the Lothian region after Edinburgh) is now ], where ] has been based since 2009 having previously used facilities across three sites. Other large towns in the county include ] (a town with medieval origins that developed extensively during the industrial revolution) and the historic mining settlements of ], ], ], ], ], and ].
	==Towns==
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	==~~Villages~~==		==History==
			{{for\|the history of the pre-1975 county\|West Lothian (historic)}}
	{{col-begin\|width=auto}}
			In 1975, as a result of the ], the boundaries of West Lothian were adjusted: the 1973 Act abolished the traditional counties and burghs, instead creating a system of ] and ]. West Lothian was made a district of ] but lost the burgh of Bo'ness and the district of Bo'ness to Falkirk District of ], and the burgh of Queensferry and the district of ] plus part of ] to the ] of Lothian Region. It gained ] and ] districts from Midlothian. The two-tier system was abolished by the ], and the district of West Lothian was made into a ] named ].
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			==Government and politics==
			===Council===
			] is the ] for the West Lothian area and has 33 elected members. ] are generally elected every five years, with the next election falling in Spring 2027.

			The current council composition is:
	==Coat of Arms==

			{\|class="wikitable"
	The coat of arms is ]:
			\|-
			\|width="5"\|
			\| style="width:140px;"\|'''Party'''
			\| style="width:180px;"\|'''Councillors'''
			\|-
			\|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color\|Scottish National Party}}"\|
			\|]
			\|15
			\|-
			\|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color\|Labour Party (UK)}}"\|
			\|]
			\|11
			\|-
			\|style="color:inherit;background:{{party color\|Conservative Party (UK)}}"\|
			\|]
			\|4
			\|-
			\|
			\|]
			\|1
			\|-
			\| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color\|Independent (politician)}}" \|
			\|]
			\|2
			\|}
			]]]
			Following the abolition of West Lothian County Council in 1975, the new West Lothian District Council chose to use the former Burgh Chambers of ] Town Council (built in 1966) as its headquarters, extending the building in 1976 and renaming it Lindsay House.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Chambers par excellence: Bathgate's fine new image \|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ \|access-date=26 December 2022 \|work=West Lothian Courier \|date=18 February 1966 \|location=Bathgate \|page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Bathgate, South Bridge Street, Lindsay House, District Council Office \|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/217854/bathgate-south-bridge-street-lindsay-house-district-council-office \|website=Canmore \|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland \|access-date=26 December 2022}}</ref> The district council retained the ] in ] as additional office space.<ref>{{London Gazette\|issue=19773\|page=1457\|date=14 November 1975\|city=e}}</ref> In November 2009, the new ], West Lothian Council, centralised its services at the new ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8378976.stm \|title=Alex Salmond unveils £50m Livingston civic centre\|date=25 November 2009\|newspaper=BBC\| access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>

			===Parliamentary representation===
	''Party per fess argent and azure, a fess counterchanged between in chief a shale bing of five peaks gules and in base a an oak tree fructed on a mount Or; the whole surrounded by a bordure argent charged with, in middle chief, a pellet charged with a Maltese cross argent, in dexter chief, a badger’s head contourny erased proper, in sinister chief, a boar’s head erased, in dexter fess, a tower, in sinister fess, a clarion, and in middle base, a lozenge, all sable. The shield is supported on the dexter by a lizard vert and on the sinister by a bitch sable, both armed and langued gules, the latter gorged of a collar wherefrom is issuant a chain reflexing over her back and binding her to base Or; for crest is the coronet of an area council, and for motto: 'Aye for the Common Weal'.
			West Lothian is represented in the ] by two constituency members and seven regional members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).<ref name=MSP>{{cite news \|url=https://www.parliament.scot/PublicInformationdocuments/YMSP_Lothian_Eng.pdf \|title=Your MSPs - Lothian \|publisher=The Scottish Parliament \|date=29 December 2020 \|access-date=29 December 2020 \|archive-date=19 March 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319065642/https://www.parliament.scot/PublicInformationdocuments/YMSP_Lothian_Eng.pdf \|url-status=dead }}</ref>

			In the ] West Lothian is represented by two members of Parliament. ] ] (MP) ] represents the ].<ref name="2024Election">{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/82669/General-Election-Results-2024/ \|title=General Election Results 2024 \|publisher=West Lothian Council \|access-date=8 July 2024}}</ref> ] represents the ]<ref name="2024Election"/> Until 2024, the area included the ].
	The lizard represents the ], an extinct genus of reptile discovered in Bathgate, while the bitch is taken from the arms of Linlithgow, West Lothian's county town. The red hills are ], large spoil tips left over from the shale industry.

			The ], referring to whether Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish MPs should be allowed to vote on English laws, is so named because it was supposedly first raised by ] while he was MP for West Lothian.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-29281818 \|title=Scottish referendum: What is the 'English Question'?\|work=BBC News \|publisher=BBC \|date=19 September 2014 \|access-date=26 April 2015}}</ref><ref name=Econ14>{{cite news \|url=https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21620194-scotlands-place-united-kingdom-settled-time-deal-its-much-larger-neighbour-now \|title=Now for the English question \|newspaper=The Economist \|date=27 September 2014 }}</ref>
	The motto is in ]; in standard English it would be 'Always for the Common Good'.

	==~~Former status~~==		==Settlements==
			{{Location map+\|Scotland West Lothian
			\|caption={{left\|The largest settlements in West Lothian}}
			\|float=right
			\|width=500
			\|places =
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.8834\|-3.5157}}\|position=left\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.902359\|-3.643097}}\|position=top\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.934\|-3.471}}\|position=left\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.97905\|-3.61054}}\|position=bottom\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.897801\|-3.704736}}\|position=left\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.86210\|-3.68719}}\|position=bottom\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.896\|-3.462}}\|position=left\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.872\|-3.621}}\|position=bottom\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.827229\|-3.709073}}\|position=right\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.960\|-3.464}}\|position=left\|label=''']'''\|label_size=}}

			<!-- Bordering council areas -->
	===County===
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|56.039\|-3.44\|}}\|position=left\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
	The county of West Lothian was called '''Linlithgowshire''' or the '''County of Linlithgow''' until 1921.
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.964\|-3.449\|}}\|position=right\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.78\|-3.44\|}}\|position=right\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.785\|-3.66\|}}\|position=right\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.84\|-3.83\|}}\|position=right\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
			{{Location map~\|Scotland West Lothian\|coordinates = {{coord\|55.93\|-3.81\|}}\|position=right\|label='']''\|marksize=0\|label_size=120}}
			}}

			The creation of the modern council area in 1975 drastically altered West Lothian's boundaries. Significant towns not included in the modern county are the coastal burghs of ] and ] and the town of ]. Large parts of the southern urban area of Livingston which were historically within ] were, however, transferred to West Lothian.
	Before it was abolished in 1975 by the ], the county contained six ]s. Two are now outside the West Lothian unitary council area:

			Largest settlements by population:
	{\| class="wikitable"
			{\| class="wikitable sortable"
			\|+
			!Settlement
			!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation\|year}})<ref name="auto">{{Scotland settlement population citation}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
			\|]
	! Burgh
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Livingston}}
	! Unitary council area
	\|-		\|-
			\|]
	\| ]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Bathgate}}
	\|rowspan=4\| West Lothian
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]		\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Broxburn}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]		\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Linlithgow}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]		\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Armadale}}
	\|-		\|-
			\|]
	\| ]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Whitburn}}
	\| ]
			\|-
			\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=East Calder}}
			\|-
			\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Blackburn (West Lothian)}}
			\|-
			\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Fauldhouse}}
			\|-
			\|]
			\|{{Scottish locality populations\|name\|POP=Winchburgh}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| ]
	\| ]
	\|}		\|}

			<gallery mode="traditional" class="center">
	On abolition in 1975 the county, with the exception of the Bo'ness area, was included in the ]. Bo'ness became part of the ]. Lothian Region was divided into four districts, one of which was named West Lothian and approximated to the former county.
			File:Armadale from the north-west.jpg\|The town of Armadale
			File:Bathgate_aerial.JPG\|The town of Bathgate seen from the air
			File:Linlithgow Palace from Cockleroy Hill.jpg\|Linlithgow Palace in Linlithgow, seen from Cockleroy Hill
			File:Livingston, West Lothian.JPG\|The town of Livingston seen from the air
			File:Whitburn - geograph.org.uk - 150688.jpg\|The town of Whitburn
			</gallery>

	==~~=District=~~==		==Demographics==
			{\| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
	West Lothian District was created in 1975, comprising the ] of West Lothian; less the ]s of ] and ] and the ] area; it also included the East Calder and West Calder districts of the former ]. The council's headquarters were originally in Bathgate, later moving to the ] of Livingston. The unitary authority created in 1996 used the same boundaries.
			\|+
			! rowspan="2" \|Ethnic Group
			! colspan="2" \|]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|last=Census Dissemination Unit \|first=Mimas \|date=5 May 2011 \|title=InFuse \|url=https://infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk/ \|access-date=24 June 2022 \|website=infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk \|language=English}}</ref>
			! colspan="2" \|]<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web \|title=Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS201SC \|url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html \|publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk \|access-date=3 November 2015 \|archive-date=7 January 2019 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107044126/https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html%20 \|url-status=live }}</ref>
			! colspan="2" \|]<ref name="2022census_Scot">{{cite web \|url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/trbdxzme/scotland-s-census-2022-ethnic-group-national-identity-language-and-religion-chart-data.xlsx \|title=Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data \|author=<!--Not stated--> \|date=21 May 2024 \|website=Scotland's Census \|publisher=] \|access-date=21 May 2024 }} 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'West Lothian' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'</ref>
			\|-
			!Number
			!%
			!Number
			!%
			!Number
			!%
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			!]: Total
			!156,581
			!98.66%
			!170,850
			!97.56%
			!171,816
			!94.78%
			\|-
			\|White: ]
			\| 144,533
			\| 91.07%
			\| 153,815
			\| 87.84%
			\| 147,073
			\| 81.13%
			\|-
			\|White: ]
			\| 9,281
			\| 5.85%
			\| 10,204
			\| 5.83%
			\| 12,959
			\| 7.15%
			\|-
			\|White: ]
			\| 1,169
			\| 0.74%
			\| 1,209
			\| 0.69%
			\| 1,290
			\| 0.71%
			\|-
			\|White: ]<ref group="note" name="auto">New category created for the 2011 census</ref>
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 79
			\| –
			\| 70
			\| –
			\|-
			\|White: ]<ref name="auto" group="note" />
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 3,273
			\| 1.87%
			\| 5,568
			\| 3.07%
			\|-
			\|White: ]
			\| 1,598
			\| 1.01%
			\| 2,270
			\| 1.30%
			\| 4,853
			\| 2.68%
			\|-
			!], ] or ]: Total
			! 1,345
			! 0.85%
			! 2,941
			! 1.68%
			! 5,056
			! 2.79%
			\|-
			\|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: ]
			\| 184
			\| 0.12%
			\| 641
			\| 0.37%
			\| 1,315
			\| 0.73%
			\|-
			\|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: ]
			\| 795
			\| 0.50%
			\| 1,420
			\| 0.81%
			\| 2,338
			\| 1.29%
			\|-
			\|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: ]
			\| 10
			\| –
			\| 11
			\| –
			\| 45
			\| –
			\|-
			\|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: ]
			\| 248
			\| 0.16%
			\| 498
			\| 0.28%
			\| 810
			\| 0.45%
			\|-
			\|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: ]
			\| 108
			\| 0.07%
			\| 371
			\| 0.21%
			\| 548
			\| 0.30%
			\|-
			!], ] or ]<ref group="note">Category restructured for the 2011 census</ref>
			!26
			! –
			! –
			! –
			! –
			! –
			\|-
			!]: Total
			!65
			!–
			!457
			!0.26%
			!1,439
			!0.79%
			\|-
			\|African: ], ] or ]
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 445
			\| 0.25%
			\| 165
			\| 0.09%
			\|-
			\|African: ]
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 12
			\| –
			\| 1,274
			\| 0.70%
			\|-
			!] or ]: Total
			!–
			!–
			!118
			!0.07%
			!163
			!0.09%
			\|-
			\|]
			\| 47
			\| –
			\| 50
			\| –
			\| 68
			\| –
			\|-
			\|]
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 50
			\| –
			\| 15
			\| –
			\|-
			\|Caribbean or Black: ]
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 18
			\| –
			\| 80
			\| –
			\|-
			!]: Total
			!338
			!0.21%
			!534
			!0.30%
			!1,912
			!1.05%
			\|-
			!Other: Total
			!312
			!02.0%
			!218
			!0.12%
			!888
			!0.49%
			\|-
			\|Other: ]<ref group="note" name="auto"/>
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 104
			\| 0.06%
			\| 329
			\| 0.18%
			\|-
			\|Other: Any other ethnic group
			\| –
			\| –
			\| 114
			\| 0.07%
			\| 559
			\| 0.31%
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			!Total:
			!158,714
			!100.00%
			!175,118
			!100.00%
			!181,278
			!100.00%
			\|}

			==Culture, Landmarks and Community==
	===Areas of West Lothian===
			===Landmarks===
			]
			] is a scheduled ancient monument and hill with a dominating position in central lowland Scotland with extensive views.

			] is a 12th-century church in the village of ]. It comprises the remains of the ] (headquarters) of the ] in Scotland.
	''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]

			Historic houses in West Lothian include ], a ruined palace that was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of ] in the 15th and 16th centuries and is the birthplace of ]. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of ].<ref name="LinlithgowPalace">{{cite web \|title=Linlithgow Palace \| url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/ \|publisher=] \|access-date = 31 December 2020}}</ref>
	''']''': ], ], ], ], ]

			The ] is an early 17th century historic house and estate near ].<ref name="ntsbinns">{{cite web\|title=House of the Binns \| url =https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/house-of-binns/ \|publisher=] \|access-date = 31 December 2020}}</ref> The house is the historic home of the Binn family whose owners included ] a ] ] ] in the ], and ], a member of the ] from 1962 to 2005.<ref name="ntsbinns"/>
	''']''': ], ], ], ], ], ], ]

			] is a large country house and estate near South Queensferry that was built between 1699 and 1701, and was designed by ]. The house was then hugely extended from 1721 by ] until his death in 1748, being one of his most notable projects. The interior was completed by his sons ] and ].<ref name="Hopetoun">{{cite web\|title=House and Grounds \|date=25 May 2015 \|url=https://hopetoun.co.uk/house-and-grounds/ \|publisher=Hopetoun \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> ] is a 16th-century ] on the Hopetoun estate that was used as a location in the '']'' TV series on ] as the main character, Jamie Fraser's family home called Lallybroch (Broch Tuarach).<ref name=Midhope>{{Canmore \|num=49168 \|desc=Midhope Castle \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="Outlander">{{cite web\|title=Midhope Castle \|date=28 December 2015 \|url=http://www.outlanderlocations.com/locations/midhope-castle/ \|publisher=Outlander Locations \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	==Places of interest==
	*] ]
	*]
	*]
	*], birthplace of ]
	*]
	*]
	See also the pages of the ]

			====Castles====
	==Mentions in popular culture==
			{{Main\|List of castles in West Lothian}}
	The ] is often said to have been raised by ], then member of ] for the former ], in his 1977 book '']: The End of Britain?'' However, in the debate on the Referendum (English Parliament) Bill (HC Deb 16 January 1998 vol 304 cc589-660) Dalyell refers to the "so-called West Lothian question, as it was dubbed by ], not by me, in 1977",<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1998/jan/16/referendum-english-parliament-bill#S6CV0304P0_19980116_HOC_77 \|title=Referendum (English Parliament) Bill (Hansard, 16 January 1998) \|publisher=Hansard.millbanksystems.com \|date= \|accessdate=2010-09-20}}</ref> denying this.
			There are a variety of castles and other historic fortifications in West Lothian, including medieval mottes, tower houses and Renaissance laird's houses, as well as relatively modern castellated mansions.<ref name="Salter">{{cite book \| last=Salter \| first=Mike \| title=The Castles of Lothian and the Borders \| date=1994 \| publisher=Folly Publications \| isbn=978-1-871731-20-0}}</ref> Examples include ], ], ] and ].<ref name="Salter"/>

			===Community facilities===
	Famous people from West Lothian include:
			]
	*Author and actor ], from Livingston
			There are several public ] in West Lothian, including ] ] (a 370 hectare park between Bathgate and Linlithgow with forests, a visitor centre and a loch), ] (a 68 hectare park near Whitburn with woodlands, river walks and outdoor facilities), and ] along the Almond river valley near Mid Calder.<ref name=Beecraigs>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34121/Beecraigs-Country-Park \| title=Beecraigs Country Park\| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian Council}}</ref><ref name=Polkemmet>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/polkemmet \| title=Polkemmet Country Park\| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian Council}}</ref><ref name=AandC>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/almondell-and-calderwood \| title=Almondell and Calderwood\| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian Council}}</ref>
	*], the winner of ] UK 2007, from Whitburn
	*], from Bathgate, best known for portraying the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in the television series '']''
	*], from Blackburn, a singer who achieved fame on the TV series '']''.<ref>{{dead link\|date=September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|author=Leigh Holmwood \|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/apr/14/britains-got-talent-tv-ratings \|title=Britain’s got talent hits high note,’ \|publisher=Guardian \|date= 14 April 2009\|accessdate=2010-09-20 \|location=London}}</ref>
	*], from Whitburn, 4 time Indy Car series champion, and 3 time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
	*], from Uphall, is a DTM race driver for Mercedes-Benz, and the cousin of Dario Franchitti.
	*], From Linlithgow.The First Minister of Scotland and SNP leader.

			] is a raised bog located near Blackridge that has been a ] since 1980 and is the largest and least disturbed raised bog in the Lothians.<ref name=Blawhorn>{{cite web \|url=https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/blawhorn-moss-national-nature-reserve \| title=Blawhorn Moss\| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=]}}</ref>
	==Town twinnings==
	Livingston and West Lothian are ] with ], in the USA, and ] in Germany.{{citation needed\|date=December 2011}}

			====Health====
	==Council political composition==
			Public healthcare in West Lothian is administered by ] within ].

			The main hospital for West Lothian is ] in Livingston. The hospital has a dedicated ] department with 550 beds and opened in 1989.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.lhsa.lib.ed.ac.uk/collections/LHB64/lhb64_tlfa.htm \|title=LHB64 St John's Hospital \|access-date=26 November 2020 \|publisher=Lothian Health Services Archive}}</ref><ref name="RIERAD">{{cite web\|url=http://www.rierad.scot.nhs.uk/stjohns.pdf \|title=St John's Hospital Livingston \|access-date=1 April 2008 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715133748/http://www.rierad.scot.nhs.uk/stjohns.pdf \|archive-date=15 July 2007}}</ref> St Johns is a ] for the ].<ref name="St Johns">{{cite web \|url=http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/StJohnsHospital/Pages/default.aspx \|title=St John's Hospital at Howden \|publisher=] \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> Other public hospitals include ] a ] in ] and ], a ] in ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/Pages/StMichaelsHospital.aspx \|title=St Michaels Hospital \|publisher=] \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/Pages/TippethillHospital.aspx\| title=Tippethill Hospital \|publisher=] \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	{\|class="wikitable"
	\|-
	\|width="5"\|
	\| style="width:140px;"\|'''Party'''
	\| style="width:180px;"\|'''Councillors'''
	\|-
	\|bgcolor="{{Labour Party (UK)/meta/color}}"\|
	\|]
	\|16
	\|-
	\|bgcolor="{{Scottish National Party/meta/color}}"\|
	\|]
	\|15
	\|-
	\|bgcolor="{{Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color}}"\|
	\|]
	\|1
	\|-
	\|bgcolor="{{Independent (politician)/meta/color}}"\|
	\|]
	\|1
	\|}

			West Lothian previously had a psychiatric hospital with general hospital in the ] area called ].<ref name=Bangour1>{{Canmore \|num=77518 \|desc=Dechmont, Bangour Village Hospital, Hospital Block \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> The hospital opened in 1904 and eventually had beds for 55 officers and 2571 other ranks.<ref name=Bangour1/> The hospital started closing in the 1990s and closed completely in 2004 after the remaining services were transferred to St John's Hospital.<ref name=Bangour1/><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.lhsa.lib.ed.ac.uk/catalog/records/lhsab001/lhb40x.html \|title=Bangour General Hospital \|access-date=1 April 2008 \|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071109120800/http://www.lhsa.lib.ed.ac.uk/catalog/records/lhsab001/lhb40x.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> \|archive-date = 9 November 2007}}</ref>
	On the 18th September 2014, Midlothian was one of many council areas who said "No" in the ] at 56.3% with a 86.8% turnout rate.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Indyref\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/live\|website=BBC\|accessdate=19 September 2014}}</ref>

			The ] is a health centre for blinded war veterans at ].<ref name=Linburn>{{cite web \|url=https://sightscotland.org.uk/veterans/how-we-can-help/our-centres/linburn-centre\| title=Linburn Centre \|publisher=Scottish War Blinded \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955.<ref name=oldlinburnhouse>{{Canmore \|num=200657 \|desc=Wilkieston, Old Linburn House \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	== Youth participation ==

			====Museums====
	=== West Lothian Youth Congress ===
			The ] was created in 1990, to preserve the history of the shale industry in West Lothian and beyond.<ref name="ShaleMuseum">{{cite web\|url=https://www.scottishshale.co.uk/IntroPages/IntroMuseum.html\|title=About the Museum\|publisher=Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> It is sited on a former mill at Millfield, near Livingston and is attached to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre, a large farm and play area.<ref name="AlmondHeritage">{{cite web\|url=https://www.almondvalley.co.uk/ATExploreSite.html\|title=Explore the Almond Valley Site\|website=Almondvalley.co.uk\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

			In Bathgate, the Bennie Museum is a museum of local history and heritage that is run by volunteers under the management of a charitable trust. It opened in 1989 and is housed used in two former derelict cottages donated by the Bennie family to the local community in 1980.<ref name="Bennie1">{{cite web\|url=https://www.visitwestlothian.co.uk/things-to-do/ancestry/bennie-museum/ \|title=Bennie Museum \|publisher=Visit West Lothian \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="Bennie2">{{cite web\|url=https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/bathgate/benniemuseum/index.html \|title=Bennie Museum \|publisher=Undiscovered Scotland \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="Bennie3">{{cite web\|url=https://www.benniemuseum.org.uk/contentw/ \|title=Home page \|publisher=Bennie Museum\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	West Lothian has a formal structure for engaging with young people and including them in the decision making process. The West Lothian Youth congress is a constituted group of young people between the ages of 12 and 26. It includes 2 democratically elected representatives from each of West Lothian’s High schools as well as young people representing youth/ specific interest groups, community councils or local areas from across West Lothian. The Youth Congress meets on a Tuesday evening every 4 to 6 weeks in the Council chambers of the West Lothian civic centre between 7PM and 9PM. The Congress is a full community planning partner and played an integral role in developing West Lothian’s 2010 community plan. The Congress also elects West Lothian’s 4 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament who are elected to represent West Lothian’s young people at a national level.

			The Linlithgow Museum is a volunteer-run local history museum in ].<ref name="LinlithgowMuseum1">{{cite web\|url=https://www.linlithgowmuseum.org/about \|title=About Us \|publisher=Linlithgow Museum \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="LinlithgowMuseum2">{{cite web\|url=https://www.visitwestlothian.co.uk/things-to-do/history-heritage/linlithgow-museum/ \|title=Linlithgow Museum \|publisher=Visit West Lothian \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> The museum is housed in the Linlithgow Partnership Centre, along with the West Lothian Family History Society and library.<ref name="PartnershipC">{{cite web\|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/linlithgowpartnershipcentre \|title=Linlithgow Partnership Centre - Tam Dalyell House \|publisher=West Lothian Council \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	=== Scottish Youth Parliament ===
	The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a body set up to represent Scotland’s young people. Its members are aged between 14 and 26 and are elected from Scottish parliamentary constituencies with each Member of the Scottish Parliament being shadowed by 2 Members of the Scottish Youth parliament. There are also representatives from several voluntary organisations.
	West Lothian has four Scottish youth parliament seats as it comprises two Scottish parliamentary constituencies.
	West Lothian’s current MSYP’s are:

			Military Museum Scotland is a ] museum in ] that covers Scottish military history from the ] to the present day.<ref name="MilMuseum1">{{cite web\|url=https://www.visitwestlothian.co.uk/things-to-do/history-heritage/military-museum-scotland/ \|title=Military Museum Scotland \|publisher=Visit West Lothian \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name="MilMuseum2">{{cite web\|url=https://military-museum-scotland.business.site/#summary \|title=Summary \|publisher=Military Museum Scotland \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
	{\| class="wikitable"
	\|-
	\|Dean Williamson - Linlithgow constituency
	\|-
	\|Sarah Devlin - Almond Valley constituency
	\|-
	\|Ryan Twaddle - Linlithgow constituency
	\|-
	\|Sarah Thompson - Almond Valley constituency
	\|}

			The ] is a railway museum located within the station yard of ] at the ].<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Welcome to the official Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway site\|url=https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/\|access-date=21 February 2022\|website=www.bkrailway.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|title=Museum of Scottish Railways, Bo'ness – Museums\|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/museum-of-scottish-railways-p779261\|access-date=21 February 2022\|website=www.visitscotland.com\|language=en}}</ref>
	==References==

			====Zoo====
			] is a privately owned ] located in ], ] opened in 2005. The zoo has grown into one of West Lothian's top visitor attractions and was awarded ‘Best Family Day Out’ at the 2024 Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hall \|first=Debbie \|date=2024-05-23 \|title=Popular West Lothian zoo named 'best family day out in Scotland' \|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/popular-west-lothian-zoo-named-32875443 \|access-date=2024-07-28 \|website=Daily Record \|language=en}}</ref>

			==Economy==
			]]]
			West Lothian has a diverse economy and as of 2020 had approximately 4,500 businesses providing almost 72,000 jobs in the area.<ref name=WLCFacts>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34925/Key-Facts \|title=Key Facts \|date=28 December 2020 \|publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> In 2014, West Lothian Council reported that the five largest employment sectors in the council area were ], ], ], ], and business administration and support
			services.<ref name=WLCEc>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/3887/West-Lothian-Economic-Profile/pdf/2017-05-10_edited_economic_profile-2016-online-lo.pdf?m=636740688935200000 \|title=West Lothian Economic Profile\|date=28 December 2020 \|publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> While historically, mining and shale oil production were key employers in the region, as of 2014 they only accounted for 0.7% of persons employed in West Lothian.<ref name=WLCEc/> The ten largest private employers in West Lothian are ], ], ], ] (formerly Quintiles/Q2 Solutions), ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name=WLCEc/> The two largest public sector employers in the county are West Lothian Council and ].<ref name=WLCEc/>

			The ] is a ] grain distillery at ] that is owned by French drinks group ]. The distillery opened in 2010 and can produce 25 million litres annually and has 29 ageing warehouses (cellars) across 75 hectares at the distillery to allow for the maturation of over 600,000 barrels.<ref name=LaM>{{cite web \|url=https://www.la-martiniquaise.com/en/the-group/an-international-group/ \|title=Label 5 First Blending Company, Bathgate \|publisher=La Martiniquaise \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=Scotch>{{cite web \|url=https://scotchwhisky.com/whiskypedia/2010/starlaw/ \|title=Starlaw Distillery \|publisher=Scotch Whisky\|access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> ], the whisky distillers have offices and a bottling facility in Livingston that was opened in 2011.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-14829701 \|title=Duke of York opens new Glenmorangie bottling facility\|date=7 September 2011\| publisher=]\| access-date=26 November 2020}}</ref>

			West Lothian has several shopping centres, the largest of which are located in Livingston, including ] (comprising more than 1,000,000 square foot of retail space) and ] (the largest outlet ] in Scotland).<ref name=Shopping1>{{cite web\|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/designer-home-with-a-dome-of-its-own-mcarthurglen-at-livingston-has-a-structured-approach-to-shopping-1.212453\|title=Designer home with a dome of its own:McArthurGlen at Livingston has a structured approach to shopping\|website=HeraldScotland \|date=26 October 2000 \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=WLCFacts/> The combined retail spaces of central Livingston form the largest indoor shopping location in Scotland and the 10th largest in the UK.<ref name=WLCFacts/>

			There are several large scale ]s in West Lothian, predominantly in the south-west of the county, used to produce ] across the region, including ], Harburnhead wind farm, and Black Law wind farm.<ref name=Energy1>{{cite web \|url=http://www.scottishenergynews.com/new-west-lothian-wind-farm-to-generate-9-million-for-local-economy/ \|title=New West Lothian Wind Farm\|publisher=Scottish Energy News\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=Energy2>{{cite web \|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/wind-farms-made-big-contributions-14432127 \|title=Wind Farms \|date=20 April 2019 \|publisher=Daily Record \|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref>

			==Transport==
			===Road===
			The main ]s in West Lothian are:<ref name=OS>{{Cite web\|url=https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/\|title=OS Maps: online mapping and walking, running and cycling routes\|publisher=Ordnance Survey\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.transport.gov.scot/transport-network/roads/the-trunk-road-network/\|title=The Trunk Road Network\|publisher=Transport Scotland\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>
			* The ] from the border with ], ] north of the town of ] towards ].
			* The ] from ] that passes through ], ], ], ], ], ], ] before terminating at a roundabout in ] near Edinburgh.
			* The ] that connects ] and Edinburgh passes across West Lothian connecting communities including ] and Bathgate.

			Other principal ] in West Lothian include the ] (which passes through the south of the county connecting settlements including Livingston, Polbeth, West Calder and Breich), the ] and ] in Livingston, and the ] which runs from east of Polmont to Whitburn.

			===Rail===
			] in West Lothian between Broxburn and Ratho]]
			Several ] run through West Lothian. These include:
			* The ] between Glasgow and Edinburgh via stations such as ], ], ] and ].
			* The ] between Glasgow and Edinburgh via stations such as ], ], ], ], ] and ].
			* The ] via ].

			West Lothian has a number of former, disused and defunct railway lines, principally branch lines that originated in connection with oil, mineral and shale mining activities in the 19th century but were later closed as traffic diminished and industrial operations ceased.<ref name=MakingT>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/media/3867/Making-Tracks/pdf/Making_Tracks.pdf\|title=Making Tracks\|publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

			Many of the railways in West Lothian use significant ] to cross rivers, ravines and other difficult terrain.<ref name=MakingT/> One prominent example is the ] built by railway engineer ] to carry the ] and completed in 1842.<ref name=MakingT/><ref name=Konect>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.konect.scot/post/a-victorian-vision-the-almond-valley-viaduct\|title=A Victorian Vision – the Almond Valley Viaduct\|date=11 January 2020\|publisher=Konect, West Lothian\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> The viaduct is 1.5 miles long with 36 masonry arches, is Category A listed and features as the logo of West Lothian Council.<ref name=Konect/><ref name=Can91660>{{Canmore \|num=91660 \|desc=Kirkliston, Almond Valley Viaduct\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>

			===Air===
			West Lothian has no airport or airfields in current operation.<ref name=Airfield1>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/\|title=Airfield Finder\|publisher=Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> The county has a few historic airfields, now defunct, including a temporary airfield that once existed in Bathgate.<ref name=Airfield2>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/airfield-finder/bathgate/\|title=Bathgate\|publisher=Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> While the village of ] is inside West Lothian, the nearby ] airfield lies inside the boundary of Edinburgh.<ref name=Can49280>{{Canmore \|num=49280 \|desc=Kirknewton Airfield\|access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> The nearest airport in operation to West Lothian is ].

			==Education==
			West Lothian has 11 ], 12 special schools, 67 primary schools, and 60 nurseries.<ref name=WLEdu1>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/31839/All-Secondary-Schools \|title=All Secondary Schools\| publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=WLEdu2>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/31838/All-Primary-Schools \|title=All Primary Schools\| publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=WLEdu3>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/31836/Find-a-School-or-Nursery \|title=Find a School or Nursery\| publisher=West Lothian Council\|access-date=31 December 2020}}</ref> While West Lothian has no university, further and adult education facilities are provided at ] based in Livingston.<ref name=WLSCollege>{{cite web \|url=https://www.west-lothian.ac.uk/help-advice/campus-facilities/ \| title=Campus and Facilities \| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian College}}</ref> The college has sports facilities, a library, a training restaurant for hospitality students, and a salon/spa.<ref name=WLSCollege/> The college provides educational services to over 8,000 students a year and has 350 staff.<ref name=WLSCollege2>{{cite web \|url=https://www.west-lothian.ac.uk/about-us/ \| title=About us \| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian College}}</ref>

			] (SRUC) has a campus in Livingston at Oatridge, near ] providing courses on subjects such as ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name=SRUC>{{cite web \|url=https://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120169/campuses_and_offices/1166/how_to_find_oatridge_campus \| title=Oatridge Campus \| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=Scotland's Rural College}}</ref> The ] has its main educational campus in Livingston.<ref name="TheatreWeekly">{{cite web \|url=https://theatreweekly.com/the-scottish-institute-of-theatre-dance-film-television-unveils-new-name-and-campus/ \| title=The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television unveils new name and campus \| date=17 April 2024 \| access-date=22 June 2024 \| publisher=Theatre Weekly}}</ref>

			West Lothian has 14 public ].<ref name=WLSLib>{{cite web \|url=https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/your-library \| title=Libraries \| access-date=31 December 2020 \| publisher=West Lothian Council}}</ref> A local and regional history library which includes items on the history of West Lothian and ] is located in ].<ref name=WLSLib/>

			==Sports==
			]
			West Lothian has 12 ] teams playing across a variety of leagues (tiers) in the ]. In the ], ] who relocated to Livingston in 1995 to the ], represent the county.<ref name=Premiership>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish-premiership/table \|title=Scottish Premiership Table \|publisher=BBC News \|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=LivFC>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.livingstonfc.co.uk/history/history_meadowbank.php \|title=History, Meadowbank \|publisher=Livingston F.C.\|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> ] and ] currently compete in the ]. Meanwhile, previous ] league clubs now play across the ]. These clubs include; ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].

			The West Lothian Sports Council represents a variety of sports clubs and organisations in West Lothian.<ref name=Sports>{{Cite web\|url=http://westlothiansportscouncil.org.uk/ \|title=Home Page\| publisher=West Lothian Sports Council \|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> Other sports teams in West Lothian include ], a ] club who play in ], Livingston RFC, and the ], a Scottish ] team, based in ] who compete in the ].<ref name=EMonarchs>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk/club-information \|title=Club Information\| publisher=Edinburgh Monarchs \|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> Cricket is played at a local level at sites such as ] in Linlithgow.

			] facilities are located across West Lothian in most of the towns and Swim West Lothian is an organisation, operating in partnership with West Lothian Council and ] that organises local swimming clubs, training and swimming galas.<ref name=Swim>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.swimwestlothian.com/index.php/about-swl \|title=About\| publisher=Swim West Lothian \|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref>

			==Notable residents==
			Notable residents of West Lothian include monarchs and political figures including ] (born at Linlithgow Palace), ] (born at Linlithgow Palace), ] (the ] for ] from 1983 to 2005), ] (from Linlithgow, the former First Minister of Scotland), and ] (the ] for ] from 1962 to 2005).

			West Lothian sports personalities include ] (from Whitburn, four-time Indy Car series champion, and three-time winner of the ]), ] (from Uphall, DTM race driver for Mercedes-Benz, and the cousin of Dario Franchitti), and ] (born in Livingston, PDC World darts champion).

			Actors, musicians and entertainers include ] (from Blackburn, a singer who achieved fame on the TV series '']''),<ref> {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100320003955/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6069597.ece \|date=20 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news\|author=Leigh Holmwood \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/apr/14/britains-got-talent-tv-ratings \|title=Britain's got talent hits high note,' \|newspaper=Guardian \|date= 14 April 2009\|access-date=20 September 2010 \|location=London}}</ref> ] (a singer/songwriter from Whitburn and Bathgate), ] (from Livingston, author and actor), ] (from Whitburn, winner of '']'' in 2007) and ] (from Bathgate, actor)

			Figures from industry and academia include ] (from Bathgate, a naturalist, zoologist and geologist), ] (from Linlithgow, a natural historian and marine zoologist), and ] (an obstetrician and significant figure in the history of medicine).

			==See also==
			* ]

			==Notes==
			{{reflist\|group=note}}

			== References ==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	{{commons category\|West Lothian}}
	==~~External~~ ~~links~~==		==Further reading==
			*{{cite book\|title=A Topographical and Historical Account of Linlithgowshire\|date=1832\|last=Penney\|first=John\|location=Edinburgh\|publisher=Stevenson\|url=https://archive.org/details/atopographicala00penngoog}}
	* ''official government website''

	*{{dmoz\|Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Scotland/West_Lothian}}
			== External links ==
	*
			* {{Commons category-inline}}
			* {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226184128/http://www.armadale.org.uk/archaeologyindex.htm \|date=26 February 2021 }}
	*		*
	*

	{{Scotland subdivisions}}		{{Scotland subdivisions}}
			{{Former local government regions of Scotland}}
	{{Scotland counties}}
			{{Authority control}}

	]		]
	]
	]		]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 14:20, 21 December 2024

Council area of Scotland

Lieutenancy and council area in Scotland

West Lothian Lodainn an Iar (Scottish Gaelic) Wast Lowden (Scots)
Lieutenancy and council area
Coat of arms
West Lothian shown within Scotland
Coordinates: 55°55′N 3°30′W / 55.917°N 3.500°W / 55.917; -3.500
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Unitary authority	1 April 1996
Administrative HQ	West Lothian Civic Centre
Government
• Type	Council
• Body	West Lothian Council
• Control	No overall control
• MPs	2 MPs Kirsteen Sullivan (L) Gregor Poynton (L)
• MSPs	2 MSPs Angela Constance (SNP) Fiona Hyslop (SNP)
Area
• Total	165 sq mi (428 km)
• Rank	20th
Population
• Total	181,720
• Rank	10th
• Density	1,100/sq mi (425/km)
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (BST)
ISO 3166 code	GB-WLN
GSS code	S12000040
Website	westlothian.gov.uk

West Lothian (Scots: Wast Lowden; Scottish Gaelic: Lodainn an Iar) is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, bordering (in a clockwise direction) the City of Edinburgh council area, Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire and Falkirk. The modern council area was formed in 1975 when the historic county of West Lothian, also known as Linlithgowshire, was reshaped substantially as part of local government reforms; some areas that had formerly been part of Midlothian were added to a new West Lothian District within the Region of Lothian, whilst some areas in the north-west were transferred to the Falkirk District and areas in the north-east were transferred to the City of Edinburgh District. In 1996 West Lothian became a unitary authority area, using the same name and territory as in 1975.

West Lothian lies on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and is predominantly rural, though there were extensive coal, iron, and shale oil mining operations in the 19th and 20th centuries which created distinctive red-spoil heaps (locally known as "bings") throughout the council area. The old county town was the royal burgh of Linlithgow, but the largest town (and the second-largest town in the Lothian region after Edinburgh) is now Livingston, where West Lothian Council has been based since 2009 having previously used facilities across three sites. Other large towns in the county include Bathgate (a town with medieval origins that developed extensively during the industrial revolution) and the historic mining settlements of Armadale, Fauldhouse, Whitburn, West Calder, Uphall, and Broxburn.

History

For the history of the pre-1975 county, see West Lothian (historic).

In 1975, as a result of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the boundaries of West Lothian were adjusted: the 1973 Act abolished the traditional counties and burghs, instead creating a system of Regions and Districts. West Lothian was made a district of Lothian Region but lost the burgh of Bo'ness and the district of Bo'ness to Falkirk District of Central Region, and the burgh of Queensferry and the district of Kirkliston plus part of Winchburgh to the Edinburgh district of Lothian Region. It gained East Calder and West Calder districts from Midlothian. The two-tier system was abolished by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, and the district of West Lothian was made into a unitary council area named West Lothian Council.

Government and politics

Council

West Lothian Council is the local authority for the West Lothian area and has 33 elected members. Councillors are generally elected every five years, with the next election falling in Spring 2027.

The current council composition is:

	Party	Councillors
	Scottish National Party	15
	Labour	11
	Conservative	4
	Liberal Democrats	1
	Independent	2

Following the abolition of West Lothian County Council in 1975, the new West Lothian District Council chose to use the former Burgh Chambers of Bathgate Town Council (built in 1966) as its headquarters, extending the building in 1976 and renaming it Lindsay House. The district council retained the county buildings in Linlithgow as additional office space. In November 2009, the new unitary authority, West Lothian Council, centralised its services at the new West Lothian Civic Centre in Livingston.

Parliamentary representation

West Lothian is represented in the Scottish Parliament by two constituency members and seven regional members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

In the Parliament of the United Kingdom West Lothian is represented by two members of Parliament. Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) Gregor Poynton represents the Livingston constituency. Kirsteen Sullivan represents the Bathgate and Linlithgow (UK Parliament constituency) Until 2024, the area included the Linlithgow and East Falkirk (UK Parliament constituency).

The West Lothian question, referring to whether Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish MPs should be allowed to vote on English laws, is so named because it was supposedly first raised by Tam Dalyell while he was MP for West Lothian.

Settlements

Livingston

Bathgate

Broxburn

Linlithgow

Armadale

Whitburn

East Calder

Blackburn

Fauldhouse

WinchburghFifeCity
of
EdinburghScottish BordersSouth LanarkshireNorth LanarkshireFalkirkclass=notpageimage| The largest settlements in West Lothian

The creation of the modern council area in 1975 drastically altered West Lothian's boundaries. Significant towns not included in the modern county are the coastal burghs of Bo'ness and Queensferry and the town of Kirkliston. Large parts of the southern urban area of Livingston which were historically within Midlothian were, however, transferred to West Lothian.

Largest settlements by population:


Settlement	Population (2020)
Livingston	56,840
Bathgate	23,600
Broxburn	15,970
Linlithgow	12,840
Armadale	12,720
Whitburn	11,490
East Calder	6,430
Blackburn	5,730
Fauldhouse	4,900
Winchburgh	3,840

The town of Armadale
The town of Bathgate seen from the air
Linlithgow Palace in Linlithgow, seen from Cockleroy Hill
The town of Livingston seen from the air
The town of Whitburn

Demographics


Ethnic Group	2001		2011		2022
Ethnic Group	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%

White: Total	156,581	98.66%	170,850	97.56%	171,816	94.78%
White: Scottish	144,533	91.07%	153,815	87.84%	147,073	81.13%
White: Other British	9,281	5.85%	10,204	5.83%	12,959	7.15%
White: Irish	1,169	0.74%	1,209	0.69%	1,290	0.71%
White: Gypsy/Traveller	–	–	79	–	70	–
White: Polish	–	–	3,273	1.87%	5,568	3.07%
White: Other	1,598	1.01%	2,270	1.30%	4,853	2.68%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Total	1,345	0.85%	2,941	1.68%	5,056	2.79%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Indian	184	0.12%	641	0.37%	1,315	0.73%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Pakistani	795	0.50%	1,420	0.81%	2,338	1.29%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Bangladeshi	10	–	11	–	45	–
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Chinese	248	0.16%	498	0.28%	810	0.45%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Asian Other	108	0.07%	371	0.21%	548	0.30%
Black, Black Scottish or Black British	26	–	–	–	–	–
African: Total	65	–	457	0.26%	1,439	0.79%
African: African, African Scottish or African British	–	–	445	0.25%	165	0.09%
African: Other African	–	–	12	–	1,274	0.70%
Caribbean or Black: Total	–	–	118	0.07%	163	0.09%
Caribbean	47	–	50	–	68	–
Black	–	–	50	–	15	–
Caribbean or Black: Other	–	–	18	–	80	–
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups: Total	338	0.21%	534	0.30%	1,912	1.05%
Other: Total	312	02.0%	218	0.12%	888	0.49%
Other: Arab	–	–	104	0.06%	329	0.18%
Other: Any other ethnic group	–	–	114	0.07%	559	0.31%

Total:	158,714	100.00%	175,118	100.00%	181,278	100.00%

Culture, Landmarks and Community

Landmarks

Cairnpapple Hill is a scheduled ancient monument and hill with a dominating position in central lowland Scotland with extensive views.

Torphichen Preceptory is a 12th-century church in the village of Torphichen. It comprises the remains of the preceptory (headquarters) of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland.

Historic houses in West Lothian include Linlithgow Palace, a ruined palace that was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries and is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

The House of the Binns is an early 17th century historic house and estate near Philpstoun. The house is the historic home of the Binn family whose owners included Sir Thomas Dalyell a Scottish Royalist general in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and Sir Tam Dalyell, a member of the House of Commons from 1962 to 2005.

Hopetoun House is a large country house and estate near South Queensferry that was built between 1699 and 1701, and was designed by Sir William Bruce. The house was then hugely extended from 1721 by William Adam until his death in 1748, being one of his most notable projects. The interior was completed by his sons John Adam and Robert Adam. Midhope Castle is a 16th-century tower house on the Hopetoun estate that was used as a location in the Outlander TV series on Starz as the main character, Jamie Fraser's family home called Lallybroch (Broch Tuarach).

Castles

Main article: List of castles in West Lothian

There are a variety of castles and other historic fortifications in West Lothian, including medieval mottes, tower houses and Renaissance laird's houses, as well as relatively modern castellated mansions. Examples include Cairns Castle, Duntarvie Castle, Midhope Castle and Staneyhill Tower.

Community facilities

There are several public country parks in West Lothian, including Beecraigs Country Park (a 370 hectare park between Bathgate and Linlithgow with forests, a visitor centre and a loch), Polkemmet Country Park (a 68 hectare park near Whitburn with woodlands, river walks and outdoor facilities), and Almondell and Calderwood Country Park along the Almond river valley near Mid Calder.

Blawhorn Moss is a raised bog located near Blackridge that has been a national nature reserve since 1980 and is the largest and least disturbed raised bog in the Lothians.

Health

Public healthcare in West Lothian is administered by NHS Lothian within NHS Scotland.

The main hospital for West Lothian is St John's Hospital in Livingston. The hospital has a dedicated Accident and Emergency department with 550 beds and opened in 1989. St Johns is a teaching hospital for the University of Edinburgh Medical School. Other public hospitals include Tippethill House Hospital a community hospital in Armadale and St Michael's Hospital, a community hospital in Linlithgow.

West Lothian previously had a psychiatric hospital with general hospital in the Dechmont area called Bangour Village Hospital. The hospital opened in 1904 and eventually had beds for 55 officers and 2571 other ranks. The hospital started closing in the 1990s and closed completely in 2004 after the remaining services were transferred to St John's Hospital.

The Linburn Centre is a health centre for blinded war veterans at Wilkieston. The centre is located within the estate of Linburn House, a country house which was demolished in 1955.

Museums

The Museum of the Scottish Shale Oil Industry was created in 1990, to preserve the history of the shale industry in West Lothian and beyond. It is sited on a former mill at Millfield, near Livingston and is attached to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre, a large farm and play area.

In Bathgate, the Bennie Museum is a museum of local history and heritage that is run by volunteers under the management of a charitable trust. It opened in 1989 and is housed used in two former derelict cottages donated by the Bennie family to the local community in 1980.

The Linlithgow Museum is a volunteer-run local history museum in Linlithgow. The museum is housed in the Linlithgow Partnership Centre, along with the West Lothian Family History Society and library.

Military Museum Scotland is a military history museum in Wilkieston that covers Scottish military history from the First World War to the present day.

The Museum of Scottish Railways is a railway museum located within the station yard of Bo'ness at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.

Zoo

Five Sisters Zoo is a privately owned zoo located in Polbeth, West Calder opened in 2005. The zoo has grown into one of West Lothian's top visitor attractions and was awarded ‘Best Family Day Out’ at the 2024 Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.

Economy

West Lothian has a diverse economy and as of 2020 had approximately 4,500 businesses providing almost 72,000 jobs in the area. In 2014, West Lothian Council reported that the five largest employment sectors in the council area were healthcare, construction, retail, manufacturing, and business administration and support services. While historically, mining and shale oil production were key employers in the region, as of 2014 they only accounted for 0.7% of persons employed in West Lothian. The ten largest private employers in West Lothian are Sky UK, Tesco, Mitsubishi Electric, IQVIA (formerly Quintiles/Q2 Solutions), Asda, Morrisons, Johnson & Johnson, Schuh, Jabil and Shin-Etsu Europe. The two largest public sector employers in the county are West Lothian Council and NHS Scotland.

The Starlaw distillery is a Scotch whisky grain distillery at Bathgate that is owned by French drinks group La Martiniquaise. The distillery opened in 2010 and can produce 25 million litres annually and has 29 ageing warehouses (cellars) across 75 hectares at the distillery to allow for the maturation of over 600,000 barrels. Glenmorangie, the whisky distillers have offices and a bottling facility in Livingston that was opened in 2011.

West Lothian has several shopping centres, the largest of which are located in Livingston, including 'The Centre' (comprising more than 1,000,000 square foot of retail space) and Livingston Designer Outlet (the largest outlet mall in Scotland). The combined retail spaces of central Livingston form the largest indoor shopping location in Scotland and the 10th largest in the UK.

There are several large scale wind farms in West Lothian, predominantly in the south-west of the county, used to produce electricity across the region, including Pates Hill wind farm, Harburnhead wind farm, and Black Law wind farm.

Transport

Road

The main trunk roads in West Lothian are:

The M9 Motorway from the border with Edinburgh, bypassing north of the town of Linlithgow towards Falkirk.
The A89 road from Glasgow that passes through Caldercruix, Blackridge, Armadale, Bathgate, Dechmont, Uphall, Broxburn before terminating at a roundabout in Newbridge near Edinburgh.
The M8 motorway that connects Glasgow and Edinburgh passes across West Lothian connecting communities including Livingston and Bathgate.

Other principal A roads in West Lothian include the A71 road (which passes through the south of the county connecting settlements including Livingston, Polbeth, West Calder and Breich), the A899 and A705 in Livingston, and the A801 road which runs from east of Polmont to Whitburn.

Rail

Almond Valley Viaduct in West Lothian between Broxburn and Ratho

Several railway routes run through West Lothian. These include:

The North Clyde Line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via stations such as Livingston North, Bathgate, Armadale and Blackridge.
The Shotts Line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via stations such as Faulhouse, Breich, Addiewell, West Calder, Livingston South and Kirknewtown.
The Glasgow–Edinburgh via Falkirk line via Linlithgow railway station.

West Lothian has a number of former, disused and defunct railway lines, principally branch lines that originated in connection with oil, mineral and shale mining activities in the 19th century but were later closed as traffic diminished and industrial operations ceased.

Many of the railways in West Lothian use significant viaducts to cross rivers, ravines and other difficult terrain. One prominent example is the Almond Valley Viaduct built by railway engineer John Miller to carry the Glasgow–Edinburgh via Falkirk line and completed in 1842. The viaduct is 1.5 miles long with 36 masonry arches, is Category A listed and features as the logo of West Lothian Council.

Air

West Lothian has no airport or airfields in current operation. The county has a few historic airfields, now defunct, including a temporary airfield that once existed in Bathgate. While the village of Kirknewtown is inside West Lothian, the nearby RAF Kirknewton airfield lies inside the boundary of Edinburgh. The nearest airport in operation to West Lothian is Edinburgh Airport.

Education

West Lothian has 11 secondary schools, 12 special schools, 67 primary schools, and 60 nurseries. While West Lothian has no university, further and adult education facilities are provided at West Lothian College based in Livingston. The college has sports facilities, a library, a training restaurant for hospitality students, and a salon/spa. The college provides educational services to over 8,000 students a year and has 350 staff.

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has a campus in Livingston at Oatridge, near Ecclesmachan providing courses on subjects such as agriculture, veterinary medicine, conservation, horticulture, and landscaping. The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has its main educational campus in Livingston.

West Lothian has 14 public libraries. A local and regional history library which includes items on the history of West Lothian and Linlithgowshire is located in Linlithgow.

Sports

West Lothian has 12 football teams playing across a variety of leagues (tiers) in the Scottish football league system. In the Scottish Championship , Livingston who relocated to Livingston in 1995 to the Almondvale Stadium, represent the county. Linlithgow Rose and Broxburn Athletic currently compete in the Lowland Football League. Meanwhile, previous SJFA league clubs now play across the East of Scotland Football League. These clubs include; Armadale Thistle, Bathgate Thistle, Blackburn United, Fauldhouse United, Livingston United, Pumpherston Juniors, Stoneyburn, West Calder United and Whitburn Juniors.

The West Lothian Sports Council represents a variety of sports clubs and organisations in West Lothian. Other sports teams in West Lothian include Linlithgow RFC, a Scottish Rugby Union club who play in East Regional League Division One, Livingston RFC, and the Edinburgh Monarchs, a Scottish Speedway team, based in Armadale who compete in the SGB Championship. Cricket is played at a local level at sites such as Boghall Cricket Club Ground in Linlithgow.

Swimming facilities are located across West Lothian in most of the towns and Swim West Lothian is an organisation, operating in partnership with West Lothian Council and Scottish Swimming that organises local swimming clubs, training and swimming galas.

Notable residents

Notable residents of West Lothian include monarchs and political figures including Mary Queen of Scots (born at Linlithgow Palace), King James the Fifth (born at Linlithgow Palace), Robin Cook (the Member of Parliament for Livingston from 1983 to 2005), Alex Salmond (from Linlithgow, the former First Minister of Scotland), and Sir Tom Dalyell (the Member of Parliament for Linlithgow from 1962 to 2005).

West Lothian sports personalities include Dario Franchitti (from Whitburn, four-time Indy Car series champion, and three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500), Paul di Resta (from Uphall, DTM race driver for Mercedes-Benz, and the cousin of Dario Franchitti), and Peter 'Snakebite' Wright (born in Livingston, PDC World darts champion).

Actors, musicians and entertainers include Susan Boyle (from Blackburn, a singer who achieved fame on the TV series Britain's Got Talent), Lewis Capaldi (a singer/songwriter from Whitburn and Bathgate), Ian Colquhoun (from Livingston, author and actor), Leon Jackson (from Whitburn, winner of The X Factor in 2007) and David Tennant (from Bathgate, actor)

Figures from industry and academia include John Fleming (from Bathgate, a naturalist, zoologist and geologist), Sir Charles Wyville Thomson (from Linlithgow, a natural historian and marine zoologist), and James Young Simpson (an obstetrician and significant figure in the history of medicine).

Notes

^ New category created for the 2011 census
Category restructured for the 2011 census

References

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"Wind Farms". Daily Record. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
"OS Maps: online mapping and walking, running and cycling routes". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
"The Trunk Road Network". Transport Scotland. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
^ "Making Tracks" (PDF). West Lothian Council. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
^ "A Victorian Vision – the Almond Valley Viaduct". Konect, West Lothian. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
Historic Environment Scotland. "Kirkliston, Almond Valley Viaduct (91660)". Canmore. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
"Airfield Finder". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
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"All Primary Schools". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
"Find a School or Nursery". West Lothian Council. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
^ "Campus and Facilities". West Lothian College. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
"About us". West Lothian College. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
"Oatridge Campus". Scotland's Rural College. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
"The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television unveils new name and campus". Theatre Weekly. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
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"Scottish Premiership Table". BBC News. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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"Home Page". West Lothian Sports Council. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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"Singing Talent of Susan Boyle Stuns Simon Cowell", Times of London Archived 20 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
Leigh Holmwood (14 April 2009). "Britain's got talent hits high note,'". Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 September 2010.

External links

Media related to West Lothian at Wikimedia Commons
West Lothian Archaeology Group Archived 26 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine
West Lothian Family History Society

v t e Local government of Scotland
Council areas	Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll and Bute Clackmannanshire Dumfries and Galloway Dundee City East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Lothian East Renfrewshire City of Edinburgh Falkirk Fife Glasgow City Highland Inverclyde Midlothian Moray Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Orkney Perth and Kinross Renfrewshire Scottish Borders Shetland South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian
Councils	Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll and Bute Clackmannanshire Dumfries and Galloway Dundee City East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Lothian East Renfrewshire City of Edinburgh Falkirk Fife Glasgow City Highland Inverclyde Midlothian Moray Comhairle nan Eilean Siar North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Orkney Islands Perth and Kinross Renfrewshire Scottish Borders Shetland Islands South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian
List by area, population, density

v t e Local government areas of Scotland, in use 1975 to 1996
Borders	Berwickshire Ettrick and Lauderdale Roxburgh Tweeddale
Central Region	Clackmannan Falkirk Stirling
Dumfries and Galloway	Annandale and Eskdale Nithsdale Stewartry Wigtown
Fife	Dunfermline Kirkcaldy North East Fife
Grampian	Aberdeen Banff and Buchan Gordon Kincardine and Deeside Moray
Highland	Badenoch and Strathspey Caithness Inverness Lochaber Nairn Ross and Cromarty Skye and Lochalsh Sutherland
Lothian	East Lothian Edinburgh Midlothian West Lothian
Strathclyde	Argyll and Bute Bearsden and Milngavie Strathkelvin Clydebank Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Cumnock and Doon Valley Cunninghame Dumbarton East Kilbride Eastwood Glasgow Hamilton Inverclyde Kilmarnock and Loudoun Kyle and Carrick Clydesdale Monklands Motherwell Renfrew
Tayside	Angus Dundee Perth and Kinross
Island areas	Orkney Shetland Western Isles
The island areas were unitary authorities, combining the powers of a region and a district.

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