Almondvale

Settlement in Midlothian

Scotland

Almondvale

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

Almondvale is a small village located in the county of Midlothian, Scotland. Situated approximately 12 miles southwest of the capital city of Edinburgh, it falls within the council area of West Lothian. The village is nestled in a picturesque rural setting, surrounded by rolling hills and verdant farmland.

Almondvale is home to a close-knit community, with a population of around 1,500 residents. The village boasts a range of amenities and facilities to cater to the needs of its inhabitants. These include a primary school, a local convenience store, a post office, and a charming village hall that serves as a hub for community events and gatherings.

Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in Almondvale, as the village is located near the Almond Valley Heritage Centre. This popular visitor attraction offers scenic walks along the banks of the River Almond, as well as an interactive museum showcasing the area's rich industrial and agricultural heritage.

Transport links in Almondvale are well-connected, with regular bus services providing easy access to neighboring towns and cities. The village's proximity to Edinburgh also allows for convenient commuting options, making it an attractive place to reside for those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle while still having access to urban amenities.

In conclusion, Almondvale is a charming village in Midlothian, Scotland, offering a tranquil setting, a strong sense of community, and easy access to nearby attractions and transport links.

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Almondvale Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.88269/-3.514085 or Grid Reference NT0566. 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

Howden House and Steadings

Very few people are aware this hidden gem, tucked away at the top of Howden Park, actually exists. It was completed at some unspecified date in the late 1700s - though it was important enough to be marked on Roy's Military Map, surveyed in the 1750s - and was occupied by a succession of wealthy people until the Ministry of Agriculture took it over, along with the grounds, immediately after the Second World War to test farm machinery. It passed to the council (or Livingston Development Corporation as they were then officially called) in the 1960s. It isn't clear how long it was used for but eventually it sat idle and fell into a very sorry state - it is fairly easy to find pictures of this online. A private developer bought it about 10 years ago, and as can be seen, did a very good job. The house is now split into four separate properties. The steadings fooled me, being so in keeping with the house. They were, though, only built at the same time the house was getting refurbished.

Ian Dodds

Factory, Oakbank

JThomas

Car park, industrial estate, Oakbank

JThomas

Platform, Livingston South Railway Station

On the line from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley via Shotts.

JThomas

Murieston Medical Practice

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Bus stop on the B7015

JThomas

Houses, Kirk Mews

JThomas

Kirkton North Road (B7015), Livingston

JThomas

Bungalows, Maukeshill Court, Livingston

JThomas

Maukeshill Court, Livingston

JThomas

Main Street (National Cycle Route 75), Livingston Village

JThomas

New housing, Livingston

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Phone mast on Kirkton North Road (B7015), Livingston

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Business unit off Kirkton North Road (B7015), Livingston

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Business unit on Fairbairn Road, Livingston

JThomas

Alderstone Road, Livingston

Approaching Newyearfield Roundabout.

JThomas

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Almondvale is located at Grid Ref: NT0566 (Lat: 55.88269, Lng: -3.514085)

Unitary Authority: West Lothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

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Located within 500m of 55.88269,-3.514085

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Lat/Long: 55.8815631/-3.5195797

Almondvale

Settlement in Midlothian

Scotland

Almondvale

Almondvale Images

What 3 Words

Nearby Locations

Related Wikis

Livingston, West Lothian

The Centre (Livingston)

The James Young High School

Livingston Designer Outlet

Dedridge

Almondvale Stadium

River FM

Livingston F.C.

Nearby Amenities

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