View source for Bo'ness

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name                    = Bo'ness<br><small>Borrowstounness</small>
| gaelic_name                      = 
| scots_name                       =
| country                          = Scotland
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Bo'ness}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi                 = 2.3
| os_grid_reference                = NS998816
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 16.9
| london_distance_mi               = 343
| map_alt                          = Bo'ness is east in the of the Falkirk council area, on the coast of the River Forth, in the Central Belt of mainland Scotland.
| label_position                   = bottom
| coordinates                      = {{coord|56.01681|-3.60891|display=inline,title}}
| post_town                        = BO'NESS
| postcode_area                    = EH
| postcode_district                = EH51
| dial_code                        = 01506
| constituency_westminster         = [[Bathgate and Linlithgow (UK Parliament constituency)|Bathgate and Linlithgow]]
| civil_parish                     = 
| unitary_scotland                 = [[Falkirk (council area)|Falkirk]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Stirling and Falkirk]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Falkirk East (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Falkirk East]]
| website                          = [http://www.falkirk.gov.uk falkirk.gov.uk]
| static_image_name                = Bo'ness, view over town - geograph.org.uk - 448349.jpg
| static_image_caption             = A view over the town looking north towards the [[Firth of Forth]]
| static_image_alt                 = A view of Bo'ness from a hill with a cemetery on the right, houses on the left and the Firth of Forth and Fife in the distance 
}}

'''Borrowstounness''', commonly known as '''Bo'ness''' ({{IPAc-en|b|oʊ|ˈ|n|ɛ|s}} {{respell|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]]. [[Counties of Scotland|Historically]] part of the county of [[West Lothian (historic)|West Lothian]], it now lies within the [[Falkirk (council area)|Falkirk council area]], {{convert|17|mi|km|0|abbr=off}} northwest of [[Edinburgh]] and {{convert|6+3/4|mi|km|round=0.5|abbr=off}} east of [[Falkirk]]. At the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]], the population of Bo'ness was 15,100.

Until the 20th century, Bo'ness was the site of various industrial activities, including [[coal mining]], [[salt]]making 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 [[Lumber yard|timberyard]]/[[sawmill]] beside the Forth. The centre of the town contains several listed buildings and is part of a [[Conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/planning-building/development-management/docs/conservation-areas/bo'ness/02%20Bo%27ness%20Town%20Centre%20Conservation%20Area%20Appraisal.pdf?v=201906271131 |title=Bo'ness Town Centre Conservation Area |publisher=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> The town is the home of the [[Museum of Scottish Railways]] and also a regional motor museum.

==Toponymy==
The name ''Borrowstoun'', from the [[Old English]] for "Beornweard's farm", refers to a hamlet a short way inland from Borrowstounness. The suffix ''ness'', meaning "headland", serves to differentiate the two.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mills|first=A. D.|title=A Dictionary of British Place Names|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=2011|isbn=9780191739446|entry=Bo'ness|entry-url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199609086.001.0001/acref-9780199609086-e-1945}}</ref> The shortened form ''Bo'ness'' first appears in the 18th century.<ref>{{cite thesis|last=Macdonald|first=Angus|title=The Place Names of the County of West Lothian|degree=PhD|publisher=Edinburgh University|date=1937|page=240|url=https://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/28470}}</ref>

==History==
===Roman history===
[[File:Romanwallinscotl00macduoft raw 0409.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Right-hand panel of the [[Bridgeness Slab]] showing a [[suovetaurilia]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Macdonald |first=Sir George |year=1934 |title=The Roman wall in Scotland |place=Oxford |publisher=The Clarendon Press |pages=362–365 |edition=2d ed., rev., enl., and in great part rewritten |url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3760345;view=2up;seq=508;size=150 |access-date=11 October 2017}}</ref>]]
Bo'ness has important historical links to the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] period and marks the eastern extent of the [[Antonine Wall]] (at [[Carriden House|Carriden]] in the north-east of Bo'ness) which stretched from Bo'ness to [[Old Kilpatrick]] on the west coast of Scotland. The Antonine Wall was named as an extension to the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2007. A Roman fortlet can still be seen at [[Kinneil House|Kinneil]] to the west of Bo'ness.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/policyandguidance/world_heritage_scotland/antoninewall.htm |publisher=Historic Scotland |title=Looking after our heritage – The Antonine Wall}}</ref>

Roman artefacts, some with inscriptions, have been found in the eastern part of the town at Carriden. A Roman fort called ''Veluniate,'' long since lost to history, once stood on the site now occupied by the grounds of [[Carriden House]]. Indeed, it is said that stones from the fort were used in the building of the [[mansion]] house.

Several artefacts have been uncovered over the years by the local farming community, including the [[Bridgeness Slab]] with many of them now on display in the [[National Museum of Scotland]] or at the [[Hunterian Museum]] in Glasgow.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stone window fragments, Carriden|date=15 December 2014 |url= https://vimeo.com/114540798|access-date=22 October 2017}}</ref> A replica was unveiled by Bo'ness Community Council and [[Falkirk]] Council on 7 September 2012 in Kinningars Park. A video about its history and manufacture is available online.<ref>{{cite web |title=Roman film now online |url= https://kinneil.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/roman-film-now-online/ |website=Kinneil Estate, Bo'ness |date=15 April 2015 |access-date=22 October 2017}}</ref> Other Roman sites have been identified at Muirhouses (known locally as 'The Murrays') and Kinglass on the south-east side of the town.
{{clear}}

===Commerce and industrial===
[[File:Bo%27ness_Town_centre.jpg|thumb|180px|Bo'ness Town Centre, looking towards Hope St]]
The town was a recognised port from the 16th century. Coal was shipped from Bo'ness to supply [[Edinburgh Castle]] in 1548.<ref>[[James Balfour Paul]], ''Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland'', vol. 9 (Edinburgh, 1911), p. 145.</ref> A harbour was authorised by an [[Act of Parliament]] in 1707. The harbour, built in stages in the 18th century, was extended and complemented by a dry dock in 1881 (works designed by [[civil engineer]]s [[Thomas Meik]] and [[Patrick Meik]]).<ref>Old Bo'ness by Alex F. Young, {{ISBN|978-1-84033-482-1}}</ref> 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 currently exist for the regeneration of the docks area including reopening the port as a [[marina]] though these are on hold indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.falkirkonline.net/Community/Boness/regeneration_proposals.aspx |title=Bo'ness Regeneration Proposals |access-date=2009-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070906023406/http://www.falkirkonline.net/Community/Boness/regeneration_proposals.aspx |archive-date=6 September 2007 }}</ref> Shipowning and maritime businesses in the town is evidenced by the ownership of {{SS|Kinneil||2}}, a ship owned by the Lovart Company of Bo’ness, that later sank in a collision off [[Denmark]].<ref>{{cite web|title=SS Telefon (+1908) |url= http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?175522 |website=WreckSite |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> Bo'ness was granted the right of exports and customs dues in 1672 and the office was transferred from Blackness.<ref name="CustomsHouse">{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB22400 |desc=14–20 (even nos) Union Street and 3–11 (odd nos) Register Street, FormerCustom House |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> A large [[Custom house|Customs House]] for the harbour was completed in 1880 on Union Street and still stands today as private dwellings.<ref name="CustomsHouse"/>

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 evaporation pond|salt making]], evaporating [[seawater]] over coal fires. The ruins of several fisheries (fish storage houses) along the shoreline evidences long gone commercial fishing activity. The town was also home to several sizable [[pottery|potteries]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Jardine |first=Robert |title=Bo'ness Pottery |url= http://bonesspottery.com|access-date=2007-12-23|archive-date=17 May 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080517025602/http://www.bonesspottery.com/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> one product being the black 'wally dugs'<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.wemyssware.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=31 |title=Wemyss Ware |access-date=2011-10-30}}</ref> which sat in pairs over many fireplaces. [[Metalworking]] is still carried out, and examples of the Bo'ness Iron Company's work are to be found in many places.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.creativeironworks.co.uk/index.php/homepage/show/home/home |title=Ballantines Castings Ltd |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120318193225/http://www.creativeironworks.co.uk/index.php/homepage/show/home/home |archive-date=18 March 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Kinneil Colliery was a large [[coal mine]] on the western edge of the town, that at its peak employed over 1,200 people.<ref name="CanmoreKinneilColliery">{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=75301 |num2=NS98SE 81 |desc=Bo'ness, Kinneil Colliery |access-date=19 June 2025|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> Production at the mine began in the late 19th century, expanded significantly after 1951 and was eventually merged with the [[Valleyfield, Fife|Valleyfield Colliery]] via a tunnel underneath the Forth, connecting the two collieries.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/scotland-blog/2014/apr/30/scotland-firthofforth-coal |title=Scotland's secret tunnel under the Forth, 50 years old and forgotten |newspaper=The Guardian |date=30 April 2014 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> The mine closed in 1982 due to ‘severe geological conditions’.<ref name="CanmoreKinneilColliery"/> Today the above ground site is a nature reserve open to the public.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/parks-estates/kinneil-nature-reserve.aspx |title=Kinneil Local Nature Reserve |publisher=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Borrowstounnessmap.png|thumb|left|A map of Borrowstounness from 1945]]
When the town's commissioners bought the land for the [[Bo'ness Town Hall]] and park in the 1890s, the town's prosperity was on the rise. By its completion, the story was not so encouraging. Plans for the town hall and original library were approved however by the Dean of Guild Court on 14 October 1902. The building was officially opened on 14 September 1904.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=G-65AQAACAAJ |title=Souvenir Programme Opening of Bo'ness Town Hall and Carnegie Library |publisher=Bo'ness Burgh Council |date=14 September 1904}}</ref> As part of the ceremony, a memorial stone was laid beneath which was placed a glass jar containing a copy of ''[[The Scotsman]]'', ''[[The Glasgow Herald]]'', ''Bo'ness Journal and Linlithgow Gazette'', a list of councillors and a copy of the council minutes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Young |first=Alex F |title=Old Bo'ness |year=2009 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |place=Catrine, Ayrshire |isbn=978-1840334821 |pages=41 |url= http://www.stenlake.co.uk/books/view_book.php?ref=601}}</ref>

In the twentieth century Bo'ness was one of several Scottish ports involved in the [[shipbreaking]] industry. The shipbreaking yard was established by the Forth Ship Breaking Company (1902–20), which was then taken over by P&W Maclellan who continued operating until about 1970.<ref>[http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyBritish-Shipbreak.htm The Shipbreaking Industry by Frank C. Bowen, c 1930's].</ref> On a high spring tide the ship destined to be broken up would be manoeuvred to the far (north) side of the river and then steamed across with all speed to drive her as far as possible up the beach. A [[Forecastle|fo’c’stle]] crew would lower the ship's anchors as soon as she came to rest to stop her sliding back into the river. The bows would come almost up to Bridgeness Road.<ref>[http://www.fyca.org.uk/Cruising/CruisingGuide/cruisingP14.htm ''Bo'ness Waterfront''] {{Webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001013/http://www.fyca.org.uk/Cruising/CruisingGuide/cruisingP14.htm# |date=4 March 2016}} Forth Yacht Clubs Association</ref> Among many ships scrapped at the yard were the [[ocean liner]]s {{SS|Belgenland|1914|2}} and {{SS|Metagama||2}}, [[cargo ship]] {{SS|Empire Advocate||2}}, and warships {{HMS|Lagos|D44|6}}, {{HMS|Liverpool|C11|2}}, ''[[USS Ringgold (DD-89)|Newark]]'', {{HMS|Petard|G56|2}}, ''[[USS Meade (DD-274)|Ramsey]]'', {{HMS|Scorpion|D64|2}} and {{HMS|Wheatland||2}}.

''The Bo'ness Journal and Linlithgow Gazette'' was a newspaper published in the town. It is now ''The Linlithgow Journal and Gazette''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.linlithgowgazette.co.uk/ |title=Home Page |publisher=Linlithgow Journal and Gazette |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> The newspaper officers were at 37–43 North Street which was built in 1884 and today is a category B [[listed building]] in the town.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB22378 |desc= 37–43 (odd nos) North Street and 7–9 Scotland's Close |access-date=26 April 2021 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

==Economy and landmarks==
[[File:Hippodrome, Bo'ness.jpg|thumb|left|Bo'ness Hippodrome]]
Ballantine Bo'ness Iron Company and Ballantine Engineering is an [[ironworks]] company in Bo’ness. The company was founded in 1856 and has produced ironworks for [[bridges]] in the UK, including the fascia panels of [[Westminster Bridge]] and [[North Bridge, Edinburgh|North Bridge]] in Edinburgh. The company went into administration in 2013 but was revived with government support as ‘Ballantine Castings’ in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-24144354 |title=Buyer sought after Ballantine Bo'ness ironworks folds |date=18 September 2013 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-27442160 |title=Bo'ness ironworks revived by family firm |date=16 May 2014 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> In 2019, the company produced ironwork replacements for the roof of the [[Palace of Westminster]] and [[Big Ben|Elizabeth Tower]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17437525.time-marching-boness-factory-breaking-industry-mould/ |title=Time marching on for Bo'ness factory breaking industry mould |date=16 February 2019 |publisher=The Herald |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> Other industry in the town includes Walker [[Lumber yard|timberyard]] and [[sawmill]] which is in Bo'ness beside the Forth on the Carriden Industrial Estate.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://walkertimberengineering.com/|title=Home Page |publisher=Walker Timber Engineering |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref>

One of the main local employers is the [[Ineos]] petrochemical facility (formerly BP) in nearby [[Grangemouth]].

[[Kinneil House]] is a historic house to the west of Bo'ness now in the care of Historic Scotland. It sits within a public park, which also incorporates a section of the Roman Antonine Wall. Kinneil was mentioned by [[Bede]], who wrote that it was named ''Pennfahel'' ('Wall's end') in [[Pictish language|Pictish]] and ''Penneltun'' in [[Old English language|Old English]]. It was also Pengwawl in old Welsh. In the grounds of Kinneil House is the ruin of the small cottage where [[James Watt (inventor)|James Watt]] worked on his experimental [[steam engine]] and the steam cylinder of a [[Newcomen engine]].<ref>Old Bo'ness by Alex F. Young {{ISBN|978-1-84033-482-1}}</ref> The remains of an engine house are in Kinningars Park, off Harbour Road.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-22336-bridgeness-kinningars-park-dovecot-includ |title=Bridgeness, Kinningars Park Dovecot Including Wall and Capped Pit Shaft, Grangepans |access-date=2011-10-29}}</ref>

Dymock's Building is a [[Listed buildings in Scotland|Category A]] listed 17th century former merchant's house, finished in orange [[Harling (wall finish)|harling]].<ref name=CanmoreDymock>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=141787 |num2=NS98SE 86 |desc=Bo'ness, Dymock's Buildings |access-date=19 June 2025|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref name=DymockHES>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB22379 |desc=49 North Street, Dymock's Buildings with Scotland's Close Warehouse and Service Court |access-date=26 April 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> The house was restored in the late 1990s under the management of the [[National Trust for Scotland]] and the Pollock Hammond partnership.<ref name=CanmoreDymock/> It is now used as [[Public housing|social housing]], being split into 8 separate dwellings.<ref name=DymockHES/>

==Culture==
[[File:Craigmailen Church, Bo'ness.jpg|thumb|Craigmailen Church, Braehead]]
[[File:St Catharine's, Bo'ness.jpg|thumb|St Catharine's Episcopal church]]
===Community and culture===
Bo'ness is now primarily a commuter town, with many of its residents travelling to work in [[Edinburgh]], [[Glasgow]] or [[Falkirk]]. Present-day attractions in the town include the [[Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway]], the Birkhill Fireclay Mine and the local motor museum. [[Kinneil House]], built by the powerful [[James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton|Hamilton]] family in the 15th century, lies on the western edge of the town. 

Bo'ness is also home to the recently refurbished [[Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness|Hippodrome Cinema]], which is the oldest picture house in Scotland. The building, along with many other buildings in Bo'ness, was designed by Matthew Steele, a local resident and architect. The Hippodrome was built in 1912. Some footage of it survives from 1950 during the Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival |url= http://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0336 |website=Moving Image Archive |publisher=Templar Film Studios |access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref> The Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival continues to this day, covered by [[Valley FM (Scotland)|Valley FM]], a local radio station that broadcasts for a limited number of days each year to cover the festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of The Fair |url= https://www.thefairday.com/history-of-the-fair/ |website=Bo'ness Children's Fair Festival |access-date=21 December 2018}}</ref>

The town's war memorial is on a hill overlooking the Forth on Stewart Avenue. The war memorial is in the form of a large [[granite]] [[obelisk]] and was unveiled on 12 July 1924, with later plaques added after the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB49724 |desc=Stewart Avenue, War Memorial |access-date=26 April 2021 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/73100 |title=Bo'ness |work=[[War Memorials Register]] |publisher=[[Imperial War Museums]] |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> The town also has a commemorative [[clock]] and lantern, erected in 1985 through donations from the Linlithgow and Bo'ness [[Rotary Club]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB49706 |desc=North Street, Clock and Lamp Standard |access-date=26 April 2021 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The current Bo'ness library is in a restored early 18th century building (previously the West Pier Tavern) on Scotland Street.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/libraries/boness-library.aspx |title=Bo'ness Library |publisher=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> The previous [[Carnegie library]] was in the Town Hall but moved to its current home in 1980 once conversions were completed.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB22388 |desc=Scotland's Close, Bo'ness Public Library, Former OldWest Pier Tavern |access-date=26 April 2021 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

===Religion===

There are a number of churches, including Bo'ness Old Kirk, Carriden Parish Church, St Andrew's Parish Church, Craigmailen United Free Church, St. Catharine's Episcopal Church, Bo'ness Apostolic Church, Bo'ness Baptist Church, The Bo'ness Salvation Army and St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church. [[Albert Bogle (Moderator)|Rev Albert Bogle]], minister at the town's St Andrew's Church, was the [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] for 2012 to 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15451869 |work=BBC News |title=Charity founder to be next Church of Scotland moderator |date=2011-10-25}}</ref> Craigmailen United Free Church is a [[Gothic Revival architecture|Victorian Gothic]] church constructed between 1883 and 1885 and designed by the architects McKissack & Rowan.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |num=LB22334 |desc=Craigmailen United Free Church |access-date=25 April 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=48142 |num2=NS98SE 21 |desc=Bo'ness, Braehead, Craigmailen United Free Church |access-date=19 June 2025 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref> Bo'ness Old Kirk is a Victorian church that was completed in the Corbiehall area of the town in 1888 and that replaced a much older church building.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bokonline.org.uk/about-us/our-history/ |title=Our History |publisher=Bo'ness Old Kirk |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=48148 |num2=NS98SE 27 |desc=Bo'ness, Corbiehall, Panbrae Road, Old Kirk |access-date=19 June 2025 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

===Sport===
Bo'ness is home to the football club [[Bo'ness United F.C.|Bo'ness United]], and also to Bo'ness United Ladies and Bo'ness United Under 16s. A large fire damaged Bo'ness United's football ground in June 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-48526545|title= Bo'ness football ground fire was 'suspicious' |date= 5 June 2019 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> It was the home to [[Bo'ness F.C.]] until 1932.

Bo'ness Academy has a rugby team. Bo'ness RFC has had its first ever rugby club established in September 2011. Bo'ness Cycling Club was reformed in 2010 as Velo Sport Bo'ness. Jim Smellie was 11 times Scottish Cycling Champion, and some of the trophies collected over the years can be viewed at [[Kinneil House|Kinneil House Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.s1boness.com/memories/boness-cycling-legend.html |title=Bo'ness Cycling Legend |work=s1 Bo'ness |last=Smillie |first=Derek |access-date=4 March 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110715220747/http://www.s1boness.com/memories/boness-cycling-legend.html |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Bo'ness has also played an important role in British motorsport. [[Hillclimbing in the British Isles|Hillclimb events]], including the first ever round of the [[British Hill Climb Championship]] and several thereafter,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://hillclimb.uk/venue/boness/ |title=Bo'ness Statistics |date=24 March 2018 |publisher=Hill Climb |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> were held on a [[Bo'ness Hill Climb|course on the Kinneil estate]] most years from 1932 until 1966. Since 2008, an annual Revival event for classic road-going and competition cars has been held on approximately the same course. [[Bo'ness Hill Climb]] is a [[Hillclimbing in the British Isles|hillclimbing]] course on the Kinneil Estate (site of the historic [[Kinneil House]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bonessrevival.co.uk/ |title=Home Page |publisher=Bo'ness Revival |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref>

===Parks===
[[File:Douglas Park, Bo'ness.jpg|thumb|Douglas Park in Bo'ness looking west]]
Bo'ness has several community parks and recreation grounds. Douglas Park is one of the largest parks in Bo'ness, it has views looking across the [[River Forth]] and includes a children's play area, football fields and a pavilion.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/parks-estates/douglas-park.aspx |title=Douglas Park |publisher=Falkirk Council |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> The park was the site of a geophysics survey in 2020 that identified two prehistoric round barrows underneath the park.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=367880 |num2=NS98SE 225 |desc=Douglas Park |access-date=19 June 2025 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref> Glebe Park is a small formal park in the town centre adjacent to Bo'ness Town Hall, with a [[Bandstand]] at its centre that was constructed in 1902 by the Walter McFarlane & Co Saracen Foundry and which is now on the [[Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland |cat=PLA |num=48147 |num2=NS98SE 26 |desc=Bo'ness, School Brae, Glebe Park, Bandstand |access-date=19 June 2025 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/1089548 |title=Glebe Park Bandstand |publisher=Buildings at risk |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref>

==Education==
Bo'ness has a single [[secondary school]], [[Bo'ness Academy]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/places/schools-nurseries/secondary-schools/boness-academy.aspx |title=Bo'ness Academy |publisher=Falkirk Council |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> There are five [[primary schools]]: Kinneil, Deanburn, Bo'ness Public School, St Mary's, and the Grange School.

==Notable people==
{{main|:Category:People from Bo'ness}}

* [[George Baird (minister)|George Baird]], minister
* Reverend [[William White Anderson]], [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]], 1888–1956
* [[Patricia Bagot]], housing specialist
* [[John Begg]], architect
* [[Euan Morton]], actor, singer
* [[Henry Cadell]], geologist
* [[George Denholm]], Battle of Britain fighter pilot
* [[George W. Easton]], athlete
* [[James Gardiner (British Army officer)]], redcoat
* [[Jo Gibb]], actor
* [[Christine Grant (administrator)|Christine Grant]], athletics director, University of Iowa
* [[James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton]]
* [[Margaret Kidd]], advocate
* [[Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall]], children's writer
* [[Michael Potter (minister)|Michael Potter]], minister and prisoner on the [[Bass Rock]]
* [[James Brunton Stephens]], Australian poet
* [[Harcus Strachan]], Canadian soldier, and winner of the [[Victoria Cross]]
* [[William Young (1761–1847)]], Royal Navy
* [[Charles Clough (geologist)|Charles Clough]], a prominent [[geologist]] and [[Cartographer|mapmaker]] who was struck by a train to the south-west of Bo’ness; he subsequently died four days later in August 1916<ref>Lyell Collection – Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society – CT Clough MA LLD FGS, By E B Bailey MC BA, 1923 [http://trned.lyellcollection.org/content/11/2/236.extract] Retrieved 18 February 2015</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bo'ness}}
* [http://www.bo-ness.org.uk Bo'ness web site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080515220629/http://www.bo-ness.org.uk/html/news/ForeshoreInitiative.htm Proposals by ING to transform harbour area]
* [http://www.kinneil.org.uk Website on the historical Kinneil Estate, at the western edge of Bo'ness]
* [https://bonesspottery.co.uk/ Bo'ness Pottery - The Pottery Industry of Borrowstounness 1766 - 1958]
* [http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/1250483/ Oblique aerial view of Bo'Ness Ship Breakers Yard]. [[Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland|RCAHMS]]
* [http://ssa.nls.uk/search.cfm?search_term=Louis+Dickson&search_fields=0&search_join_type=AND&search_fuzzy=no&subject=&location=&personality=&genre=&series=&fiction=&colour=&sound=&year_from=&year_to=&decade=&videos_only=1&search_mode=Advanced&submit=Search+%3E%3E%3E National Library of Scotland: Scottish Screen Archive] (selection of archive films about Bo’ness)
* {{cite EB1911|wstitle=Bo'ness}}

{{Falkirk Towns & Villages}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Bo'ness| ]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in Falkirk (council area)]]
[[Category:Forts of the Antonine Wall]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]
[[Category:Parishes in West Lothian]]