Polmont
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Polmont
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|---|---|
| Population | Expression error: "5,422 (2001 census)" must be numeric |
| OS grid reference | NS936788 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FALKIRK |
| Postcode district | FK2 |
| Dialling code | 01324 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Polmont is a village in the Falkirk council area of Central Scotland. It lies towards the east of the town of Falkirk, north of the Union Canal, which runs adjacent to the village.
Due to its situation in Central Scotland, many locations can be seen from Polmont, ranging from the Ochil Hills and the River Forth, to Cairnpapple Hill and even Wallace Monument.
Although giving its name to Polmont Young Offenders Institution, the prison is in fact in Reddingmuirhead.
Origin and history of the name
The name Polmont derives from the Scottish Gaelic term Poll-Mhonaidh, which translates into English as Pool of the Hill.
History
Old Polmont, situated on a raised beach overlooking the Firth of Forth and the Ochils, was an important fort on the Roman Antonine Wall. This fort, embankment and water source has been marked out and can be visited in a secluded forest, close to the M9 motorway.
The newer, modern Polmont has developed mainly from the 1970s with the Gilston Estate, and further up towards the railway and station, just before the adjoining Brightons settlement.
Polmont has prospered and is currently a commuter settlement with enviable motorway and train links to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Polmont was originally included within the parish of Falkirk, but was severed under the authority of the Court of Teinds (teind is the Scots word for tithe), and erected into an independent parish, in 1724. Nothing of the early history of Polmont has been recorded.
Vestiges of the Antonine Wall (or Graham's Dyke as it is known locally) can still be traced near Polmont, especially in Polmont Woods, however, road and house building over the past century has all but obliterated what remains.
Politics
Polmont is under the jurisdiction of Falkirk Council, although the suggestion of East Polmont changing hands for the purposes of the Westminster Parliamentary Constituency to Linlithgow and East Falkirk arose, but was soon discounted [1]. In May 2007, the Polmont area merged as part of an expanded Lower Braes seat, as proposed for Falkirk Council by the Scottish Executive. Traditionally, the Conservative Party have strong support in Polmont, making it one of the main, but few Tory areas in the Falkirk Parliamentary Constituency [citation needed].
The current councillor for Polmont in Falkirk Council is Scottish Conservative Councillor Malcolm Nicol, who has held the role since 2000 following the death of his predecessor Frank Hodge. He previously represented a seat in Grangemouth, originally being elected in 1983. He has the distinction of having held both seats with the largest majority on Falkirk Council.
The title of Lord Polmont is held by the current Duke of Hamilton, Angus Douglas-Hamilton. This title was originally given to the 2nd Duke of Hamilton in 1639.
Economy
The economy of Polmont is based mainly upon relatively small scale private enterprise, such as pubs, cafes, hotels, take-aways and convenience stores. The majority of these are based in or around Polmont shopping centre, the focal point of local custom. Agriculture is also a central industry, with arable land consuming a sizeable proportion of the area. Polmont is home to the controversial Avondale Landfill, a large employer on the east of the village.
Proposals to build an extensive new development, including offices, car showrooms, garden centres and more housing on the site of Gilston Farm on the far east have planning permission, although this consent expired in February 2007. There has been ample local opposition to the plan, and subsequent attempts by the construction developer, Hansteen Holdings PLC [2] to update the consent have been continually and unanimously refused by Falkirk Council.
Due to the proximity to Grangemouth, a number of the population work at the Grangemouth refineries and port. Many commute on a daily basis to work in Falkirk, Glasgow and Edinburgh, amongst other surrounding areas. Polmont is home to the Scottish Education Services, located at McLaren House in Haypark Business Centre. The most well known hotel is the Macdonald Inchyra Grange, a redevelopment from one of the area's many former mansions.
Transport
Polmont railway station is located on the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line. In 1984 a a train collided with a cow that had strayed onto the line near Polmont. The crash left 13 people dead and 61 others injured.
The M9 motorway runs through the village between Polmont and Old Polmont, with two exit points on the east and west sides. There are numerous bus stops throughout the village, the main ones situated on Polmont Main Street, which provide direct bus services to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling. Polmont's nearest airport, Edinburgh Airport, is located approximately 17 miles to the east.
Culture
Polmont is a parish and the majority of its religious community is Christian, being home to a Church of Scotland in Old Polmont. The area also has a Christian denominational presence in the form of a Church of the Brethren and meeting places for the Quakers.
Polmont is home to a golf course, which has played host to several PGA events [citation needed]. Within the boundaries of the course is Millhall Reservoir, which is now a fishery. To the east on of the clubhouse, on Polmonthill is Polmont Ski Centre, which includes a 100 metre artificial ski slopes. There is also a popular dirt biking park on the far east, as well as an amateur level football club.
The most famous export of Polmont is Alex Raisbeck, who spent several years captaining Liverpool F.C.. He also represented Scotland on eight occasions, and was considered to have been one of the finest players of his generation, dating back to 1898. The highest-profile former Polmont resident currently playing at senior level is Derek Niven of Chesterfield F.C., most notable for his winning goal against Manchester City F.C. in the League Cup in 2006.