Polbeth

Polbeth (G. Poll - pool beithe - birch tree "birch pool") is a former oil shale mining village located about a mile from West Calder, and not far from Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.

Polbeth Scottish Gaelic: Poll Beithe Scots: Powbeth
An aerial view of Polbeth
Polbeth Location within West Lothian
OS grid reference	NT025645
Civil parish	West Calder
Council area	West Lothian
Lieutenancy area	West Lothian
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WEST CALDER
Postcode district	EH55
Dialling code	01506
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Livingston
Scottish Parliament	Almond Valley

Five Sisters

A mile to the west of the village are the Five Sisters Shale Bings, a local landmark and scheduled monument (55°51′35″N 03°35′05″W). The bings rise to a height of 720 feet (220 m), some 230 feet (70 m) above the surrounding area, and are the spoil tips from the oil shale industry that was a feature of the area.

Five Sisters Zoo Park

The Five Sisters Zoo Park (55°51′49.67″N 03°33′33.94″W) is located on the edge of the village. Which has animals such as a lion and wolves.[1]

Polbeth Harwood Church

Harwood Church was one of two Church of Scotland churches in West Calder. The other was in Polbeth, and the two churches were amalgamated.

Worship in Polbeth took place in what previously had been the Engine House of Shale Pit 26. When mining ceased in the community the Engine House was converted into what is now known as Polbeth Hall. Worship took place here while the new church was being built.

Notable people

• Rhys McCabe, footballer currently playing for St. Patrick's Athletic
• Shelley Kerr, former footballer. Current coach of the women's Scottish national football team.
• Callum Fordyce, footballer currently playing for Airdrieonians
• Billy Hartman, actor

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

• Polbeth Harwood Church