Bellsquarry

History

Along with the settlements of Livingston Village and Livingston Station, Bellsquarry became part of Livingston new town on its designation in 1962.

The name Bellsquarry originates from a former Burdiehouse Limestone quarry and the surname of its owner, Mr Bell. The quarry was in operation by 1782 and continued until the early 20th century, when it was used as a rubbish dump before being tidied and covered. Some of the former limestone kilns still remain around throughout the area.

Brucefield Farm is a former substantial farmhouse built circa 1800 that is now in use as a restaurant.

Buildings

As one of the older settlements in Livingston, there are several 19th and early 20th century buildings in Bellsquarry, including Bellsquarry Village Hall.

The Elm Tree Inn located at the village square, re-opened in early 2005 as a pub (downstairs) and restaurant (upstairs).

There is one primary school in Bellsquarry, constructed in 1909 by the architect James Graham Fairley. The school has its own adventure trail.

Culture

There is a children's play park and several recreation fields in the centre of Bellsquarry. There is also a 17.75 ha (43.86 acres) wooded area known as Bellsquarry Wood, with ponds, and with trails connecting Bellsquarry to Murieston. Bellsquarry wood and the area to the south of the original village was once part of the estate of Newpark House. The original orchard exists as part of a new community orchard created in 2011.

Transport

Bellsquarry is situated just south of the Edinburgh to Kilmarnock A71 road.

Newpark railway station was a railway station that served Bellsquarry on the Cleland and Midcalder Line between Edinburgh and Glasgow but it closed in 1959. Since then the nearest railway station to Bellsquarry is Livingston South railway station.

References

References

1. "Livingston's History". Daily Record.
2. "Mr Bells Quarry". Scottish Shale.
3. Jaques and McKean. (1 September 1994). "West Lothian - An Illustrated Architectural Guide". The Rutland Press.
4. {{Historic Environment Scotland
5. "Bellsquarry 30 Calder Road". Historic Environment Scotland.
6. "Bellsquarry Village Hall". West Lothian Scotland.
7. "New Trim Trail". Daily Record.
8. "Bellsquarry Wood". Woodland Trust.
9. The house built in 1806 still survives, being incorporated in a series of new housing developments in the late 20th century.{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=49111 |num2=NT06SW 20 |desc=Newpark|access-date=23 June 2025}}
10. "Newpark Railway Station". Geograph.