Adambrae

Settlement in Midlothian

Scotland

Adambrae

Sculpture in Livingston - 'The Community' Although most famous for its weird roundabout art, Livingston also has a number of more accessible publicly commissioned sculptures dotted about.
This is one of the better ones, although aspects of it are slightly baffling after reading the artist&#039;s summary of his work. It is said to depict a family of four holding hands, and they are balancing in the main on a branched tree stump by the looks of it. It is meant to give the impression of a &quot;celebratory dance&quot;. Nobody could actually move anywhere in this dance though, as both children are standing on their mother&#039;s leg, which actually looks as if it could be quite sore considering the size of the children. The dad seems to have got it easy - maybe there&#039;s some hidden symbolism going on there! If it is the dad that is; both males seem to be about the same size.
It&#039;s pretty well done, nonetheless, and was made by Charles Anderson in 1996. It must have been a tricky one to do as he states he returned to painting after making this. — Sculpture in Livingston - 'The Community' Credit: Ian Dodds

Adambrae is a residential area located in Midlothian, Scotland. Situated on the outskirts of the town of Livingston, it offers a peaceful and family-friendly environment for its residents.

The area is known for its well-maintained properties, which range from traditional detached houses to modern apartments. Adambrae boasts a mix of housing styles, catering to a diverse range of residents. The streets are lined with neatly landscaped gardens and tree-lined avenues, providing a picturesque setting for those living in the area.

In terms of amenities, Adambrae offers a host of facilities to cater to the needs of its residents. There is a local convenience store, providing everyday essentials, and a number of schools are within easy reach, making it an attractive choice for families. The nearby Livingston town center offers an extensive range of shopping and dining options, including a shopping mall, supermarkets, and various restaurants.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Adambrae is surrounded by green spaces and parks, providing ample opportunities for recreational activities. Almondell and Calderwood Country Park is just a short distance away, offering beautiful walking trails, wildlife spotting, and picnic areas.

Commuting from Adambrae is convenient, with easy access to major road networks, including the M8 motorway, which connects to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Public transportation options are also available, with regular bus services operating in the area.

Overall, Adambrae is a desirable residential area in Midlothian, offering a peaceful and family-friendly environment, excellent amenities, and convenient transportation links.

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Adambrae Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.876625/-3.532136 or Grid Reference NT0465. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sculpture in Livingston - 'The Community'

Although most famous for its weird roundabout art, Livingston also has a number of more accessible publicly commissioned sculptures dotted about. This is one of the better ones, although aspects of it are slightly baffling after reading the artist's summary of his work. It is said to depict a family of four holding hands, and they are balancing in the main on a branched tree stump by the looks of it. It is meant to give the impression of a "celebratory dance". Nobody could actually move anywhere in this dance though, as both children are standing on their mother's leg, which actually looks as if it could be quite sore considering the size of the children. The dad seems to have got it easy - maybe there's some hidden symbolism going on there! If it is the dad that is; both males seem to be about the same size. It's pretty well done, nonetheless, and was made by Charles Anderson in 1996. It must have been a tricky one to do as he states he returned to painting after making this.

Ian Dodds

An Old Bit of Howden Park Centre

Howden Park Centre is Livingston's only proper arts centre. This provides food for thought. Livingston is a newtown and therefore a micromanaged inorganic council affair. It has a population of about 60,000, higher than both Perth and Inverness. Organic settlements have only been micromanaged after things have sprung up naturally, and their ruling councils are probably used to there being lots of things there anyway. In Livingston's defence, at least it has local shops situated at sensible regular distances from people's houses. But it was designed 50 years ago and things have deteriorated since. New suburbia generally arrives with no amenities other than a playground. If sufficiently big - ie huge - they are bestowed with a sterile square, generally located close to the school and surgery, containing a small supermarket chain store, a couple of takeaways, and a hairdressers. Whilst I do see the arguments against people setting up shops in their front rooms, which is how things used to develop, I think the house builders these days are missing a trick. Instead of bunging all their legally required 'affordable homes' in a far-flung corner of the development, just spread them throughout the new scheme, located next to premises earmarked for shops and pubs which would have naturally sprung up before things got so regulated. The centre is essentially an art gallery and a 300 seat auditorium. I had a quick flick through their website and upcoming events include lots of music tribute acts, a Moulin Rouge tribute, some folk music, a couple of plays, and a magician. The site is built around the former stables and coach house of the nearby recently renovated Howden House. On a sombre note, this is the site of the first mainland Scottish deaths in World War Two. In 1940 a bomb hit the coach house, which I'm pretty sure is the central bit of this block, in between the arches, killing a woman and her granddaughter. These were the only deaths in the whole of the war in West Lothian.

Ian Dodds