Bonnybridge

Bonnybridge
Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid a'Bhuinne
Scots: Bonniebrigcode: sco is deprecated
240px Terraced housing in Bonnybridge
Bonnybridge  Bonnybridge shown within the Falkirk council area
Area	1.10 sq mi (2.8 km2)
Population	6,870  (2001 census)
– density	6,245/sq mi (2,411/km2)
OS grid reference	NS825805
– Edinburgh	27.2 mi (43.8 km) ESE
– London	347 mi (558 km) SSE
Council area	Falkirk
Lieutenancy area	Stirling and Falkirk
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BONNYBRIDGE
Postcode district	FK4
Dialling code	01324
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Falkirk
Scottish Parliament	Falkirk West
Website	falkirk.gov.uk
List of places UK Scotland

Bonnybridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid a'Bhuinne; Scots: Bonniebrigcode: sco is deprecated ) 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. 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.

File:Bonnybridge Town Centre.jpg

Bonnybridge town centre

File:Bonnybridge Golf Club Aerial View.jpg

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.

"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.

Notable people

• Ruth Connell： theatre, television and film actress and producer.
• Paul Conway
• Danny Malloy (boxer)
• Laura Ann Smith， "Star in a Bra" competitor.

See also

• List of places in Falkirk council area

External links

• Falkirk Local History Society- Bonnybridge
• Bonnybridge on the Gazeteer for Scotland
• St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Bonnybridge
• An Illustrated History and Geography of Bonnybridge