| Ballencrieff | |
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Ballencrieff
Ballencrieff shown within West Lothian |
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| OS grid reference | NS9770 |
|---|---|
| Council area | West Lothian |
| Lieutenancy area | West Lothian |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Postcode district | EH48 |
| Dialling code | 01506 |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Linlithgow and East Falkirk |
| Scottish Parliament | Linlithgow |
| Lothians | |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Ballencrieff is a settlement in West Lothian, Scotland, situated equidistant between the towns of Bathgate and Torphichen and seven miles south of Linlithgow. Neighbouring towns are Blackburn, Armadale, Whitburn, Livingston and Stoneyburn. Edinburgh Airport is 16 miles (25 km) away, to the East. Ballencrieff is very close to the Neolithic burial site at Cairnpapple Hill, and the surrounding area shows signs of habitation since about 3500 BC. The name Ballencrieff comes from the Scottish Gaelic Baile na Craoibhe meaning "Farm by the tree".
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In 1599, on the 25th of January, Alexander Hamilton became the first Baron of Ballencrieff (and his wife Christine the Baroness), by Crown Charter from King James VI.
The area is dominated by agriculture and is home to farms and fisheries, such as Ballencrieff Farm. The Ballencrieff Fishery is well-known for its trout, and welcomes fly anglers in their hundreds every year. In addition, tourists are also attracted by West Lothian's famous Standing Stones monuments, which surround Ballencrieff. The quarterly magazine Lothian Life - formerly known as 'West Lothian Life' - is produced at Ballencrieff Toll.