Balerno

Balerno
Population	6,031 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	NT165665
Council area	City of Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BALERNO
Postcode district	EH14
Dialling code	0131
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Edinburgh South West
Scottish Parliament	Edinburgh Pentlands

Balerno is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 12 kilometres south west of the city centre, next to Juniper Green and Currie. Administratively, Balerno falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Edinburgh Council.

History

Its name derives from the Scottish Gaelic Baile Airneach, meaning "townland/town of the hawthorns". The earliest written records of Balhernoch or Balernach are found in the late 13th century.

The 18th Century brought substantial development to the area, with many new flax (evidence of flax production can be seen in Harlaw Woods), snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith. These mills were a prominent feature of village life until fairly recently. After the First World War house building began in earnest in the area and since then residential pressures have almost overwhelmed commercial and industrial ones.

Education

Balerno Community High School (school website) was founded in 1983. Dean Park Primary School is the local primary school, and it was split over two locations in Balerno until 2009.

Culture and attractions

Sport

Balerno is home to Currie RFC, who play at Malleny Park. Currie won the Scottish Rugby Union Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One in 2007 and 2010.

Malleny House & Gardens

The 17th century Malleny House and its surrounding gardens are owned by the National Trust for Scotland. While the house is not open to the public the gardens are and consist of a 3-acre (12,000 m²) walled garden set in approximately nine acres of woodland. The gardens feature four hundred year-old yew trees known as the Four Apostles and is home to Scotland’s National Bonsai Collection.

Churches

Balerno has two churches: St. Mungo's Church (Scottish Episcopal Church) and Balerno Parish Church (Church of Scotland). St Joseph's Catholic Church closed in August 2006, with the building purchased by Balerno Parish Church and renamed "The St Josephs' Centre".

Farmers Market

A farmers' market is held in Balerno Main Street on the second Saturday of each month. The Balerno Farmers Market is run by Balerno Village Trust

Music Festival

2008 saw the launch of Balerno's music festival with events held at Balerno Parish Church, Balerno Bowling Club, Balerno Parish Church New Hall, the Grey Horse Inn and the St Joseph's Centre.

Red Moss Wildlife Reserve

One of only four raised bogs of sphagnum moss surviving in the Lothian region and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Local newspaper

The Currie and Balerno News is Balerno's community newspaper which also includes coverage of nearby Currie, Baberton and Juniper Green. Published monthly the paper features local news, a monthly police neighbourhood watch update, an SSPCA appeal, school news and coverage of local planning applications and developments.

Transport

See also Transport in Edinburgh

Historical

The Caledonian Railway built a spur line from Slateford, via Colinton, which connected Balerno railway station to the centre of Edinburgh. The line saw an upsurge in housebuilding in Balerno. The last passenger train to run on the line was in 1943, and a High School was placed on the site of the goods station in 1983. The line runs adjacent to the Water of Leith river.

Present day

The A70 runs near the town. The town is serviced by the 44 bus route, which is operated by both Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh. There is a 44a bus route that goes in a different direction up the Johnsburn Road. The route connects Balerno to Currie, Slateford, the City Centre, Brunstane and East Lothian. On a Sunday the First Edinburgh service is called 66. The town is also served by the Prentice Westwood 424 bus route, which connects it to Juniper Green in one direction and East Calder and Livingston, however this only runs every two hours Monday to Friday.

Famous residents & Balerno High School Alumni

• Neil Alexander - Scottish Footballer (Goalkeeper)
• Craig Gordon - Scottish Footballer (Goalkeeper)
• Graham Moodie - Scottish field hockey player
• Peter Heatly - Scottish Diver and ex-Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation

Robert McCullough - Famous for being the vessel of the world's smallest chode

External links

• Balerno Community Council
• Malleny Gardens
• Balerno Music Festival
• St Mungo's Church
• Balerno Parish Church
• Balerno Village Trust