Balerno
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Balerno | |
  Balerno shown within the City of Edinburgh |
|
| Population | 6,031 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | City of Edinburgh |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | EDINBURGH |
| Postcode district | EH14 (part) |
| Dialling code | 0131 |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Edinburgh South West |
| Scottish Parliament | Edinburgh Pentlands |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • Edinburgh | |
Balerno is a suburb of the Scottish capital Edinburgh. It is considered one of the wealthier suburbs, and lies to the far south west of the city, next to Juniper Green and Currie.
Contents |
[edit] History
Its name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Baile Airneach, meaning "hawthorn farm" [1]. The earliest written records of Balhernoch or Balernach are found in the late 13th century.
The 18th Century brought a splurge of development in the area, with many new flax, snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith. These mills were a prominent feature of village life until fairly recently.
[edit] Transport (historical)
The Caledonian Railway built a spur line from Slateford, via Colinton, which connected Balerno to the centre of Edinburgh. The line saw an upsurge in housebuilding in Balerno. The last passenger train to run on the line was in 1943, and a High School was placed on the site of the station in 1984.
[edit] Transport (present day)
The A70 runs near the town. The town is serviced by the 44 bus route, which is opperated by both Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh. The route connects Balerno to Currie, Slateford, the City Centre, Brunstane and East Lothian. The town is also served by the Prentice Westwood 424 bus route, which connects it to Juniper Green in one direction and East Calder and Livingston, however this only runs every 2 hours Monday to Friday.
[edit] Schools
Balerno Community High School is one of the most successful schools in Edinburgh, consistently receiving good marks in the Scotsman annual school list. Dean Park Primary School is the local primary school, and it is split over two locations in Balerno.
[edit] Churches
Balerno has two churches, St Mungo's Church (Scottish Episcopalian) and Balerno Parish Church (Church of Scotland). St Joseph's Catholic Church closed in August 2006.
[edit] Sport
Balerno is home to Currie RFC, who play at Malleny Park. Currie won the Scottish Rugby Union Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One in 2007.
[edit] Farmers Market
A farmers' market is held in Balerno Main Street on the second Saturday of each month.
[edit] Local Newspaper
Balerno's community newspaper, as well as Currie and Juniper Green, is The Currie and Balerno News [2].
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
|||||
