Bonnybridge

Bonnybridge
Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid a'Bhuinne
Scots: Bonniebrig

Terraced housing in Bonnybridge
Bonnybridge is in the west of the Falkirk council area in the Central Belt of the Scottish mainland.
Bonnybridge
 Bonnybridge shown within the Falkirk council area
Area  1.10 sq mi (2.8 km2)
Population 6,870 [1] (2001 census)
   – density  6,245/sq mi (2,411/km2)
OS grid referenceNS825805
   – Edinburgh  27.2 mi (43.8 km) ESE 
   – London  347 mi (558 km) SSE 
Council areaFalkirk
Lieutenancy areaStirling and Falkirk
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town BONNYBRIDGE
Postcode district FK4
Dialling code 01324
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK ParliamentFalkirk
Scottish ParliamentFalkirk West
Websitefalkirk.gov.uk
List of places
UK
Scotland

Coordinates: 55°59′56″N 3°53′13″W / 55.999°N 3.887°W / 55.999; -3.887

Bonnybridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid a'Bhuinne; Scots: Bonniebrig) is a small town in the Falkirk council area of Scotland. It is 4.0 miles (6.4 km) west of Falkirk, 5.3 miles (8.5 km) north-east of Cumbernauld and 8.3 miles (13.4 km) south-southwest of Stirling. The town is situated near the Bonny Water which runs through the town and lies north of the Forth and Clyde Canal. To the south-east of Bonnybridge is a well preserved section of the Antonine Wall, and the remnants of Rough Castle Fort, the most complete of the surviving Roman forts of the wall.

According to the 2001 Census, the population stands at 6,870 residents.[1] However, the Bonnybridge settlement area, which includes Banknock, Denny, Dunipace and Haggs has a total population of around 24,370.

History

Bonnybridge developed greatly during the industrial revolution in the nineteenth century. Significant industries that were established include paper milling, sawmilling, chemical manufacturing, refractory brick manufacture and whisky distilling. Particularly important for Bonnybridge was the establishment of several iron foundries including the famous Smith and Wellstood Foundry, which was important in introducing the American metal heating stoves to Europe under the 'Esse stoves' brand. The output from these foundries was transported via the Forth & Clyde Canal to local markets, and also to Glasgow for export. Bonnybridge was also particularly well served by rail, with the Glasgow to Edinburgh , Kilsyth and Bonnybridge and the Carlisle to Perth lines both nearby. With the canal and rail links Bonnybridge became a centre for industrial production.

Bonnybridge town centre
An aerial view of Bonnybridge Golf Club

Education

The town has three primary schools: Bonnybridge Primary School, Antonine Primary School and St. Joseph's R.C. Primary School. The former two are catchment primaries for Denny High School and the latter is within the catchment area of St. Mungo's High School.

Sports

Bonnybridge Golf Club

Located just one mile northeast of Bonnybridge and off the A883 in Scotland's Central region, one of the 'Home of Golf' most underrated regions for golf courses, Bonnybridge is a welcome blend of heathland and links, due to the sandy nature of the soil. A nine-holer, it is just over 6, 000-yards in length for the full 18, this course features guarded greens and has plenty of surprises up its sleeve to shock even the more gifted players who pay a visit.[2][3]

"UFO capital of Scotland"

In recent years Bonnybridge has become known as the scene of numerous UFO sightings. It forms part of the "Falkirk Triangle", an area stretching from Stirling to the outskirts of Edinburgh. UFO enthusiasts claim that Bonnybridge is the world's number one UFO location, with an average of around 300 sightings a year.[4]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Comparative Population Profile: Bonnybridge Locality, www.scrol.gov.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-13
  2. ↑ Scottish Golf Courses: Bonnybridge Golf Club, www.scottishgolfcourses.com. Retrieved 2011-05-13
  3. ↑ Bonnybridge Golf Club Website, www.bonnybridgegolfclub.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-08-30
  4. ↑ UFO Encounters - The Falkirk Triangle, www.ufoencounters.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-05-13

External links

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