Bo'ness
Borrowstounness (commonly known as Bo'ness (/boʊˈnɛs/ boh-NESS)) is a town and former burgh and seaport on the south bank of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Historically part of the county of West Lothian, it is a place within the Falkirk council area, 17 miles (27 kilometres) northwest of Edinburgh and 6+3⁄4 miles (11 kilometres) east of Falkirk. At the 2011 United Kingdom census, the population of the Bo'ness locality was 15,100.
Bo'ness Borrowstounness | |
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A view over the town looking north towards the Firth of Forth | |
Bo'ness Borrowstounness Location within the Falkirk council area | |
Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2) |
Population | 14,840 (mid-2020 est.) |
• Density | 6,452/sq mi (2,491/km2) |
OS grid reference | NS998816 |
• Edinburgh | 16.9 mi (27.2 km) |
• London | 343 mi (552 km) |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area |
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Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BO'NESS |
Postcode district | EH51 |
Dialling code | 01506 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament |
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Scottish Parliament | |
Website | falkirk.gov.uk |
Until the 20th century, Bo'ness was the site of various industrial activities, including coal mining, saltmaking and pottery production. With its location beside the Forth, the town and its harbour grew in importance in the industrial revolution and later continued to grow into the Victorian era. Since the late 20th century, deindustrialisation has changed the nature of the town, with the coal mine closing in 1982 and the waterfront area now being primarily used for leisure purposes. However, some industry remains in the town including an ironworks and a timberyard/sawmill beside the Forth. The centre of the town contains several listed buildings and is part of a conservation area. The town is the home of the Museum of Scottish Railways and also a regional motor museum.