Beecraigs
Location
A major attraction of Beecraigs is its location high on the hills above the towns of Bathgate and Linlithgow which afford impressive views of the surrounding countryside, including the Forth Valley, Linlithgow Loch, Binny Craig and Palace, the three Forth Bridges and the Pentland Hills. The Park does not lie on any major routes, and is 4 miles (6.4 km) from the M9 and 5 miles (8.0 km) from the M8 motorways.
Reservoir
The reservoir, now known as Beecraigs Loch, was built by German Prisoners of War. They were based in a work camp and had been sent from Stobs Camp near Hawick. Clay and stone was used to build the dam wall, this stone was quarried from Riccarton Hill and brought down the slopes to the site using a winch-powered railway. By 1918 the 8 hectare reservoir, holding 82 million gallons of water, began serving as a local water supply and continued to do so for 55 years.
References
- ^ "Beecraigs Country Park". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- ^ "A Hive of Archaeological Activity at Beecraigs". West of Scotland Archaeology Service. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
- ^ "A brief history of Beecraigs Country Park" (PDF). westlothian.gov.uk.
55°57′00″N 3°35′49″W / 55.950°N 3.597°W
External links
- Beecraigs Country park website
- Beecraigs Prehistoric Site, West Lothian Archaeology Group