Harthill, Scotland

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For other places called Harthill, see Harthill.

Harthill is a village which lies on the border between West Lothian and North Lanarkshire in central Scotland, about halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. It lies on the River Almond about two miles west of Whitburn. It is sometimes considered an isogloss, as it is around here that there is a distinct change from West Central Scots to East Central Scots.

It was briefly on the main A8 corridor between Scotland's two main cities until it was by-passed in 1965 by the first section of the new M8 motorway. Scotland's first motorway service station was built at Harthill to serve the M8. This service station, which used to be called Harthill services but was renamed 'Heart of Scotland Services', is located a few hundred yards north of the village.

Local industries comprise food distribution and the manufacture of plastics.

It grew up as a result of the coal mining fields of North Lanarkshire, and most of the original miners' homes remain. Originally part of Linlithgowshire, it was eventually split between the ancient counties of West Lothian and Lanarkshire. <edit> The village of Greenrigg which is adjacent to Harthill lies in West Lothian. The remaining miners' homes otherwise known as miners' row is also in Greenrigg and the occupants worked nearby Polkemmet Colliery which was in Whitburn (also West Lothian). Polkemmet closed around the time of the miners strike in the 1980's the only evidence remaining is the miners' cottages which the Coal Board had sold some time before the closure and the Engine used to cart the coal which is now on display in the local Polkemmmet Country Park formerly the estate of Lady Baillie. Several other mines were darted around the surrounding area but closed many years prior to the strike </edit>

Harthill Gala Day is on the 14th of June 2008 ==Sport==