Topographical, statistical, and historical gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 1

BAT
n;
BAT
Latin, Greek, French, and oilier brandies of edu-
cation are taught. This institution originated in an
ample bequest by Mr. John Newlands of Jamaica, a
native of Bathgate ; and occupies a handsome building,
with connected yards, on a rising ground a little to
the south-east of the town. There is, besides these,
a very considerable private school at Armadale, two
miles west of Bathgate. — In 1839, the total num-
ber of children at school in this parish was 590.
There are several dissenting places of worship in this
parish, within the town of Bathgate. The Relief
church was built in 1812; sittings 786. — The United
Secession church was built in 1807; sittings 400.
An Original Burgher place of worship was built in
1828; sittings 400. Stipend £83.— According to
a census made by the parish-minister in August,
1836, there were then 2,159 persons belonging to
the Established church in this parish, and 1,378 be-
longing to other denominations.
The town of Bathgate is pleasantly situated near
the centre of the parish, on the middle-line of road
from Edinburgh to Glasgow, IS miles distant from
the former, and 24 from the latter. It lays claim
to considerable antiquitv, being part of the extensive
possessions given by King Robert Bruce as the
dowry of his daughter, Lady Margery, to Walter;
high-steward of Scotland, in 1316. Walter himself
died here in 1328, at one of his chief residences, the
site of which may be still seen marked by three
stunted fir-trees. The town consists of two parts,
the old and the new. The old town is built on
a steep ridge, and the streets are narrow and
crooked. The new town is built on a regular
plan, and has a good appearance. Within these
few years the town has been considerable extended;
there has also been a large increase of population,
which is principally supported by the weaving of
cotton-goods for the Glasgow manufacturers, and bv
the lime and coal works in the vicinity. In 1824,
Bathgate was erectefl into a burgh of barony by act
of parliament. The preamble of this act states,
that the town of Bathgate having increased greatly
of late years in extent and population, it is become
expedient that a regular magistracy should be estab-
lished, and the town be erected " into a free and
independent burgh of barony." The municipal body
consists of a provost, three bailies, twelve council-
lors, and a treasurer — seventeen persons in all. The
first set of magistrates and councillors were elected
by all the persons, whether within the burgh or not,
who subscribed one pound or more towards the ex-
pense of the act of parliament. But in all future
elections the members of council were to be changed
partially, every year, in the following manner. On
the first Tuesday of September the provost and trea-
surer, with the eldest and third bailies, and four eldest
councillors, that is, eight members of the seventeen
go out, and their places are filled by the open votes
of the whole assembled burgesses. But the proprie-
tor of the lands and barony of Bathgate is entitled
to one vote, whether a burgess or not; and he has
further the privilege of filling up the office of third
bailie, if he choose to exercise it; but he must name
tor the office a person who has previously officiated
as provost, bailie, or treasurer, within the last three
years, or who has been a councillor within two
years. The electors consist of all resident persons
who have been admitted burgesses, and are at the
same time proprietors or feuars, or occupiers of
houses of i'S yearly rent or upwards. All who
paid £1 towards the expense ol the act, were de-
clared burgesses ipso facto ; and all in future renting
£3, or more, who paid the fees of entry fixed by
the magistrates and council, which were not to
exceed two guineas. The magistrates must be bur-
gesses, paying £(i rent or upwards, and resident
within the burgh, except the provost, of whom resi-
dence is not required. But residence, and £3 of
yearly rent, qualities for a councillor. The office of
procurator -fiscal for the burgh is filled up from a list
of four persons nominated by the baronial proprietor,
which is shortened to two by the provost and magis-
trates, and of these two, the proprietor nominates
one to he fiscal. The act contains also detailed re-
gulations for lighting the burgh with gas, for paving
the streets, and for establishing a system of police,
for which there is to be an annual assessment, not
exceeding one shilling in the pound The town has
a weekly market, which is held on Wednesday,
and which has become important of late as a central
corn-market for West Lothian and the adjoining
counties. It has seven fairs. The 1st, held on
the 2d Wednesday of April, is a cattle ami hiring-
market for farm-servants. The 2d, on the 1st Wed-
nesday after the term, O. S., is also for cattle. The
3d is held on the 4th Wednesday in June ; the 4th,
on the 3d Wednesday in July ; the oth, on the 3d
Wednesday in August: ail these are cattle-markets.
A 6th is held on the 4th Wednesday in October,
for cattle, and for hiring farm-servants. The 7th
for Winter fair, is held on the Wednesday after
Martinmas, O. S. The stock exhibited at any of
these markets seldom exceeds 300 head. A justice
of the peace court sits here once a month, and a sinall-
debt sheriff-court every quarter. Branches of the
National bank and the Glasgow linion bank have been
established here; and there is a subscription library.
In the old Statistical account it is stated, that "a
great alteration in the manner of living has taken
place in this parish within the last 40 years. About
1750, there were not above ten families who used
tea, and now, perhaps, there is not above twice that
number who uo not use it. Butcher-meat was then
not more used than tea : scarcely any cattle or sheep
were killed, except at Martinmas, when some fami-
lies used to salt a whole, or others only a part of an
ox or cow, to serve for winter-provision ; but now
there is a regular flesh-market twice a-week, and
almost every family, who can afford it, eats flesh
constantly. A much greater quantity of w beaten
bread is now consumed in the parish in a month,
than was in a twelvemonth 40 years ago. The alter-
ation in dress since 1750 is also remarkable. When
the goodman and his sons went to kirk, market,
wedding, or burial, they were clothed in a home-
spun suit of friezed cloth, called kelr, plaiden hose,
with a blue or brown bonnet; and the good wife anil
her daughters were dressed in gowns ami petticoa'.s
of their own spinning, with a cloth cloak and hood
of the same, or a tartan or red plaid. But now, the
former, when they go abroad, wear suits of English
cloth, good hats, &c. ; and the latter the finest printed
cottons, and sometimes silk gowns, silk caps, and
bonnets, of different shapes, sizes, and colours, white
stockings, cloth shoes," &c.
BATTLEHILL, in the parish of Annan, Dum-
fries-shire, said to have received its name from a
bloody engagement which look place here betwixt
the Scots and English, in w hich the latter were cud
off to a man. A strong mineral spring was recently
discovered here.
BEALOCH-NAM-BO, a magnificent pass across
the northern shoulder of Ben Venue, leading into
the district on the south side of Loch Katrine. It
appears to have been formed by the partial separa-
tion of this side of the mountain from the rest, and
composes an exceedingly sublime piece of scenery.
BEATH, a small inland parish in Eiteshire ;
bounded on the north by Cleish parish, from which
it is separated by- Orr water; on the east by Ballin-