Winchburgh

Winchburgh is a village in the council area of West Lothian, Scotland. It is located approximately 10 mile (16 km) west of the city centre of Edinburgh, 6 mile (10 km) east of Linlithgow and 3 mile (5 km) northeast of Broxburn.

The 2001 census recorded around 2,000 persons in Winchburgh. In 2015, the population of Winchburgh was cited as having increased to 2,430 persons. As a result of new developments (still ongoing), the 2020 population had increased by over 50% to 3,840.

In the 19th century, Winchburgh had a thriving oil shale mining industry, the remnants of which are the distinctive red "shale bings", large hill forms, created by the deposition composed of used shale. The late 19th century saw the development of several dozen miners' rows, built in redstone and on an interlocking L plan to the east of the canal. The school is now closed but remains Category C listed and some of the buildings been converted to residential use. In the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1892–1896), Winchburgh is described: Winchburgh, a village in Kirkliston Parish, Linlithgowshire, 11¾ miles W of Edinburgh. It has a station on the North British Railway, a Post Office with money order and savings bank departments, an Established mission church (opened 1891) and a public school. Pop. (1881) 115, (1891) 424. In 1904, a police station in ashlar stone was built. The early 21st century has seen the construction of several new private housing estates on the periphery of the village towards Auldcathie. The developments are being built to the design of a 'masterplan' with the aim to expand Winchburg into a new town. The plan incorporates ideas relating to the '20 minute Neighbourhood' concept.

There are a number of amenities in the town of Winchburgh including  a grocery store, several takeaway food shops, several convenience stores, butcher shop and deli, pharmacy, doctor's surgery, post office, community centre. The Tally Ho pub and beer garden, a bowling club and there are also several places of worship in the town. Housing Includes 19th century miner's cottages, council housing built in the 1950s, several new housing developments, sheltered housing and a care home for the elderly.

Winchburgh has two secondary level academies, two primary schools and a nursery. Holy Family Primary School serves Roman Catholic (term) pre secondary school children, whereas Winchburgh Primary is a non denominational school. Both of these are state run schools. The Academy takes in pupils from Winchburgh Primary and other local areas. A second academy has also been built in Winchburgh. Sinclair Academy takes pupils from Holy Family Primary and other Catholic primary schools in surrounding areas and opened to pupils in August 2023. There are currently plans to open a third Primary school in the east of the town, a non denominational school, called Hawkhill Primary School. As of February 2024, planning permission was granted and the new Hawkhill Primary awaits construction, with the school expected to open for pupils in August 2025.

The mainline railway between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street goes through the Winchburgh Tunnel, under the village. Construction of the tunnel began in 1939 and it has been in operation since 1842. In June 2022, it was reported that a commitment to create a new railway station was still part of the new town's plans.

The Union Canal passes through Winchburgh. The canal no longer operates as a transport link, but is now used for fishing, magnet fishing and some leisure boating. It has a towpath previously used by the horses which drew canal bargess and which is now used as a footpath, the foot paths are popular places for dog walkers, bikers, runners and walkers

The Bridge 19 40 Canal Society (a non profit) has a base at Winchburgh on the canal, and it operates seasonal boat trips departing from Port Buchan located in neighbouring Broxburn on West Main Street.

Niddrie Castle Golf Club has an 18 hole, 5914 yards long, par 70 golf course, located in and around the grounds of the historic Niddry Castle. The club was established in 1926. Winchburgh Bowling Club was established in 1913 by local miners and the clubhouse has a 150 capacity function room for social occasions, such as weddings. In July 2007, parents from local schools formed a boys' football team, taking the name of the former Winchburgh Albion, which had folded in the 1970s. This evolved over the next decade and there now exists multiple girls, boys and joint underage teams registered with the SFA under the banner of the Winchburgh Albion Youth Football Club. The original Winchburgh Albion FC had produced several senior football players, including Willie Thornton who had a long career with Rangers as player and later, assistant manager, after managing Dundee and Partick Thistle. John Gorman is another former Winchburgh player; he started his senior career with Celtic, before going on have playing success with Carlisle, Tottenham Hotspur and as a coach with several clubs, including his present role at MK Dons. He was also assistant manager of the England international team from 1996 to 1999, under the management of Glenn Hoddle. In November 2021 the 2012 boys football team broke away from Winchburgh Albion YFC to form Winchburgh Violets Youth Football Club. The Violets play in the West Lothian Soccer Development Association league, and play their home games at the newly opened Winchburgh Sport and Wellbeing Hub.