Polmont
Template:Infobox Scotland place with map
Polmont is a village in the Falkirk council area of Central Scotland. It lies towards the east of the town of Falkirk.
Given its centralized situation, many locations can be seen from Polmont. These include the Ochil Hills, the River Forth, Wallace Monument and Cairnpapple Hill. The people of Polmont are referred to as Polmonters.
History
The name Polmont derives from the Scottish Gaelic word Poll-Mhonaidh, which translates as Pool of the Hill.
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. Also of historical interest is the Culdees circle situated on the corner of Gilston Crescent, and still clearly visible.
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, which has pushed the housing count, values and social class up.
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. Very few particulars of its early history have been recorded, though undoubtedly it must have participated more or less with Falkirk in the wars between the Romans and the Caledonians under Fergus II, and in many important transactions subsequently.
Until within the last few years vestiges of the wall of Antoninus, or Graham's Dyke, as it has generally been called since the time of Robert Graham, who was killed by the Romans while fighting under Fergus, could be distinctly traced in its way through the parish from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde; but in the progress of cultivation within the present century, they have been totally obliterated. On a hill beyond the village of Redding is a stone called Wallace's stone, marking out the spot from which Sir William Wallace, after his quarrel with Sir John Stuart, one of the Scottish chiefs, is said to have viewed the battle of Falkirk, from which he had been compelled to retire, and to have witnessed the defeat of the Scottish army.
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.
Geography
Polmont is located approximately 4 miles (6.5 km) to the east of Falkirk, Scotland. Old Polmont village borders the town of Grangemouth, whilst from the east, Linlithgow is around 4 miles away. The local settlements of Redding, Brightons and Westquarter are also bordered. The M9 motorway, linking Edinburgh and Glasgow, runs through the village at the point between Old Polmont and the modern settlement. Polmont railway station is located on the main Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line.
Politics
Polmont is currently under the jurisdiction of Falkirk Council, and has a lenghty history of Conservative control and support, which shows no signs of changing. In 2007, the Polmont area will merge as part of an expanded Lower Braes seat, as proposed for Falkirk Council by the Scottish Executive.
The current representative of Polmont is Scottish Conservative Councillor Malcolm Nicol [1], who has maintained uninterrupted control with relative ease since 2000. 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. He serves as a Justice of the Peace, chairman of the Falkirk Licensing Board and as Convenor of Civic Licensing on Falkirk Council. He is also a member of Central Scotland Police Board.
Economy
The economy of Polmont is based mainly upon relatively small, privately owned businesses such as bars, cafes, hotels, take-aways and convenience stores. Agriculture is also a key industry, with farmland consuming a sizeable proportion of the area.
Proposals to build a huge new development, including offices,, car showrooms, garden centres and yet more houses on the site of Gilston Farm on the east side. It has an old planning consent that expires in Feb.2007. There has been huge local opposition to the proposal and subsequent attempts by the developer to update the consent have been repeatedly and unamiously refused by Falkirk Council - with opposition to it being led by local Councillor,Malcolm Nicol, the Community Council and local residents. Due to its proximity to Grangemouth, a decent 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.
Many people associate Polmont with the Young Offenders Institution (HMYOI), although it is actually located in both nearby villages Brightons and Reddingmuirhead, 1.5 miles from Polmont. This is the only centre holding convicted young offenders in Scotland, and holds a significant proportion of remand young offenders from the West of Scotland. It also houses the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) College. Polmont is home to the Scottish Education Services, located at McLaren House in Haypark Business Centre. Hotels also play a significant role in the running of Polmont, including the 4-star Inchyra Grange.
Demographics
Transport
Polmont is located in the heart of Central Scotland with commuting links by rail, from Polmont railway station to the south. There are numerous bus stops throughout the village, the main ones being situated on Polmont Main Street, which provide direct bus services to Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling.
Polmont also has the benefit of being located next to the M8 motorway and M9 motorway, linking the east and west of Scotland. The access to this motorway is located in the east of Polmont via the Lathallan Roundabout.
Sport
Polmont is home to a golf course, which has played host to several PGA events. Within the boundaries of the course is a reservoir, which is a popular fishery. To the east of the clubhouse is an artificial skiing slope, which overlooks Grangemouth.
A few amateur football clubs operate within Polmont, but none professionally. A Junior club, Polmont Athletic F.C., once represented the area, however the club ceased to exist after only a few years. The lack of available land, and sufficient facilities, make it almost impossible for a similar club to take its place in future. In the absence of a local club, the majority of football fanatical Polmonters pay to watch Falkirk F.C..
The most illustrious sporting export of Polmont was 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 Polmonter 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 Carling Cup in September 2006.