Bennie Museum

The Bennie Museum lies in Mansefield Street, just off Bathgate's main shopping street. A museum of Bathgate's life and heritage, it is housed in what was once a pair of derelict cottages converted through local enthusiasm. The continuing enthusiasm of volunteers ensures that the Bennie Museum is open almost every day of the year

Bathgate is a town with a recorded history stretching back to the 1100s. It was here that one of the great dynasties of Scotland, the Stewarts, had its origins. More recently, in 1811, one of Bathgate's most famous sons was born here. Sir James Young Simpson, was the first man ever to be knighted for his services to medicine and is primarily remembered for introducing anaesthesia to childbirth. And in the mid-1800s, the Glasgow-born James Young (no relation) established the world's first oil refinery in Bathgate, earning himself a great deal of money in the process, together with the name by which he is usually remembered, James "Paraffin" Young.

The Bennie Museum does have relics of Bathgate's early history, dating all the way back to coins left here by the Romans. But for the most part it is home to objects that would be readily recognised, and probably used, by the last three or four generation of Bathgate residents.

Exhibits on view therefore include a range of bottles and other objects believed to have been made in the Bathgate Glass Factory, which operated from 1866 to 1887. Elsewhere a grandfather clock made by a Bathgate clock-maker stands near a remarkable petrol pump, found in rubble on the site of the museum while it was being renovated. Medals, uniforms and golf trophies can be found here, together with recreations of ranges and associated kitchen equipment some of us might remember in our grandparents' houses. There is even a piano here that was originally purchased from a local shop in 1937 for £18.10/- (or £18.50 in today's currency).

Exhibitions and events

Virtual exhibitions

• Bathgate Arches

Museum of Childhood

Permanent exhibition

Bathgate bairns reliving childhood The Museum of Childhood exhibition will showcase what life was like for Bathgate children in years gone by, with many vintage household items, toys and books on...