The first of our local world history series. The history of Bathgate is explored from its being as an agricultural settlement to its industrial heritage and much more. #itsOurHistory
My fathers name is Bathgate. His great grandfather left for Australia in the late 1800's to settle on Ashby island on the Clarence river (New South Wales) opposite the large Scottish community in Maclean, to farm sugar cane. The matriarchs who married into my great great grandfathers family were from the McKay and Fraser clans and my grandfather was named Kenneth Murdoch McKay Fraser Bathgate. The religious denomination of my fathers great grandparents was Free Kirk and were part of the land clearances of the mid to late 19thcentury.
@@OurHistoryYourstory I don’t know if you know. A Bathgate Bairn is someone who was born in a house in Bathgate. There a few friendly disagreements about what a Bathgate Bairn is, some people say that they were born in the hospital but lived in Bathgate all of their life. I will leave it for you to decide. Once again, thanks for a superb video.
Nice to see BGate on here, a couple of pointers though. The main street is George Street not George Square, known locally as as the precinct. It was a normal street open to traffic until it was later pedestrianised (if thats a word!). The Steelyard is actually at the other end of the street by the drinking fountain, it used to have a number of phone boxes and was regarded as a meeting place. I have an out of print and so quite rare book about Bathgate and the surrounding areas, it goes into great depth about the history of West Lothian which used to have castles, knights on horseback as well as its own oil and shale gas facilties. Although Fern Brady says shes from Bathgate shes apparently from Blackburn.
My mums family were from Bathgate, and many family members still live there. I also lived there for 5 years. Happy memories. Your story was enjoyable and I liked the fact you moved from place to place as you told it. Challenge Anneka went there and improved the cenotaph and it was all on the telly.
Am so glad you enjoyed its difficult when it's someone's home town, its such a personal thing. I'll need to check out the challenge Anneka programme. I hope you and your family are well
I'm trying to get back in touch with a pal who's originally from Bathgate. He will be turning 60 this year. He doesn't do social media. Is there anyone on here around that age who might know him, if I tell you his name?
It is interesting that the Leyland truck and tractor company was very well run and profitable until the so called government of the day forced them to take over the failing Austin Morris group which was a millstone around their neck !! Possibly Bathgate could still be building trucks and tractors ?
@@amandarichardson9836 yeah the bennie museum I was going to mention the museum at the end of the video but must have forgot. My apologies,as for Bernard Gallacher am affaid I don't know enough about golf to have been aware of him at the time. Thanks for your message I hope you enjoyed the video otherwise
My fathers name is Bathgate. His great grandfather left for Australia in the late 1800's to settle on Ashby island on the Clarence river (New South Wales) opposite the large Scottish community in Maclean, to farm sugar cane.
The matriarchs who married into my great great grandfathers family were from the McKay and Fraser clans and my grandfather was named Kenneth Murdoch McKay Fraser Bathgate.
The religious denomination of my fathers great grandparents was Free Kirk and were part of the land clearances of the mid to late 19thcentury.
What a tale that lead to you,how interesting
As a Bathgate Bairn, I found your video informative and accurate. Well done, you reported the town that I’ve lived in all of my life very well.
Am so glad you found it to be accurate and informative. Very high praise thank you
@@OurHistoryYourstory I don’t know if you know. A Bathgate Bairn is someone who was born in a house in Bathgate. There a few friendly disagreements about what a Bathgate Bairn is, some people say that they were born in the hospital but lived in Bathgate all of their life. I will leave it for you to decide. Once again, thanks for a superb video.
@@billyweir714 lol iv seen a few of those posts. My wife is from ratho and they say your not from ratho unless your three generations in
Thank you for this! I’m from Canada and have been researching my family tree and have relatives from Bathgate 😊
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice to see BGate on here, a couple of pointers though. The main street is George Street not George Square, known locally as as the precinct. It was a normal street open to traffic until it was later pedestrianised (if thats a word!). The Steelyard is actually at the other end of the street by the drinking fountain, it used to have a number of phone boxes and was regarded as a meeting place. I have an out of print and so quite rare book about Bathgate and the surrounding areas, it goes into great depth about the history of West Lothian which used to have castles, knights on horseback as well as its own oil and shale gas facilties.
Although Fern Brady says shes from Bathgate shes apparently from Blackburn.
Does anyone know when Engine St was renamed to George St? (My grandfather was born on Engine Lane, where the Acredale Car Park is now.)
@@resnbl1 best ask at the Bathgate Museum.
I was born in Edinburgh, I live in Paris now, but I grew up in bathgate. This video was super nostalgic for me
Thank you glad you enjoyed it
My mums family were from Bathgate, and many family members still live there. I also lived there for 5 years. Happy memories. Your story was enjoyable and I liked the fact you moved from place to place as you told it. Challenge Anneka went there and improved the cenotaph and it was all on the telly.
Am so glad you enjoyed its difficult when it's someone's home town, its such a personal thing. I'll need to check out the challenge Anneka programme. I hope you and your family are well
yep and locals vandalised the cenotaph with a rather rude comment aimed at Aneka!
I found this very interesting. Thank you!
Thank you am glad you found it interesting
henry bell the pioneer of steam navigation first steamship launched in grangemouth was called the charlotte dundass
Good to know my favourite Dr Who...David Tenant...is from Bathgate ...
When are you coming to Hamilton 😃🏴💚🇵🇰
Maybe when the world gets back to normal
@@OurHistoryYourstory hopefully soon.
@@Scotistani fingers crossed
He's not from bathgate he was only born there.Hes from Renfrewshire
My home town love it
Thank you glad you enjoyed it
@@OurHistoryYourstory yeah mate loved the video I learned more about my town thanks alot pal 👍
Fascinating video. Thanks Alan. More please soon 😃
Glad you enjoyed it. Got a few planned for my local area but fingers crossed for further afield
I'm trying to get back in touch with a pal who's originally from Bathgate. He will be turning 60 this year. He doesn't do social media. Is there anyone on here around that age who might know him, if I tell you his name?
You might be better using the Bathgate Facebook page. Fingers crossed
@@OurHistoryYourstory Thanks👍
It is interesting that the Leyland truck and tractor company was very well run and profitable until the so called government of the day forced them to take over the failing Austin Morris group which was a millstone around their neck !! Possibly Bathgate could still be building trucks and tractors ?
That is interesting thanks for sharing
An indoor running track ? Is it not badminton & 5 aside pitches
Can't say iv been in, I believe it started off as an indoor running track
You visited the golf course but forgot to mention Bernard Gallagher
We also have a small museum
@@amandarichardson9836 yeah the bennie museum I was going to mention the museum at the end of the video but must have forgot. My apologies,as for Bernard Gallacher am affaid I don't know enough about golf to have been aware of him at the time. Thanks for your message I hope you enjoyed the video otherwise