West Lothian Council delivers

New to West Lothian

 

Moving or just moved to West Lothian - we wish you a warm welcome!

We have gathered information and advice here which we hope you find useful. Why not save this website as one of your favourites now to keep you up to date on services, events and news.

HOUSING
West Lothian has a mix of towns, villages and hamlets.  You will find a range of housing from starter homes and flats to large family homes for sale and rent.  Social housing providers ; West Lothian Council housing ; there are a number of local estate agents and solicitors selling homes. 

FINDING WORK
West Lothian Council advertises jobs online  or you could contact JobCentre Plus (new window) .  The council's access2employment team can also help you find work.

EDUCATION
The council provides pre-school, primary, secondary and community education.  A flexible curriculum, including work experience and college placements, is available at secondary schools.

YOUNG PEOPLE
Information on schools, nurseries and playgroups and any information relating to education can be found  here.   Playparks   and youth clubs.   Blackburn Youth Directory ,  Whitburn Youth Directory , Broxburn Uphall and Winchburgh Youth Directory , Livingston North Directory

Youth Activities: West Lothian provides a wide range of activities for young people whether it is sports, arts or even just getting know people.

• For those interested in the arts, West Lothian is home to many dance and theatre schools. Some examples are: Janice Anne Wilson School of Dancing (new window) , Myra Mackie School of Dance (new window) ,  Millennium Stage School (new window) and Firefly Arts (new window) . Most schools offer a chance for pupils to perform as well as develop as budding young performers. There are also a number of theatres such as Howden Park Centre (new window)  and Bathgate Regal Community Theatre which often offer chances for young people to perform in local productions or be involved in professionals performances so its always good to put your name on the mailing lists.
• Clubs and groups: Many of the different areas of West Lothian will have their own Scouts and Girl guiding groups, with beavers and brownies for younger children and guides and scouts for older children. Both are great ways of making friends whilst learning different life skills. West Lothian has a wide range of different football teams from the higher league teams (Hearts, Rangers), to the smaller local teams (Murieston United, East Calder Colts). All offer a wide range of football skills as well as daily games and championships. Many local community centres offer a range of youth clubs and classes, which offer a chance to meet new people in the community so it's worthwhile having a look. Check out the Find a Local Group (new window) and What's On (new window) sections of the website.

OVER 50s
The New Horizon guide is specifically written for older people living in West Lothian.  Updated annually the guide acts as a point of reference to available services, such as concessionary travel, help around your home and healthcare issues. The guide is available in libraries and online by clicking here

Activities for older people: There are a number of organisations in and around West Lothian that encourage older people to lead full and balanced lives. They also publish useful guides. Whitburn Older People's Partnership (new window) have their own website

• Local Groups: You can get information about a range of local groups by contacting Voluntary Action West Lothian on 01506 634115 or by contacting Community Information on 01506 776335. This informaiton is also available on the "Find a local group (new window)" section of the website. Our community centres also have information on local groups.
• Anyone over the age of 50 can join the West Lothian 50+ Network. It aims to advance social, educational and recreational activities for all persons aged 50+. Access a range of activities from visits to stately homes, castles, ceilidhs, dances, barbecues, walking groups, lunch clubs, theatre visits, foreign or UK trips, Pilates and environmental activities. It also promotes health sustaining physical activities. Call the 50+ network on 01506 635510 for more information.
• Your local library will have more information on what is going on in your area.

WHATEVER YOUR AGE YOU WILL ENJOY WEST LOTHIAN
Whether it's exploring the great outdoors, learning about our heritage and history or visiting a zoo, there is something to suit everyone in West Lothian.

• Our heritage and history: West Lothian has some of the finest historic sites in Scotland, including Linlithgow Palace, Hopetoun House and the Union Canal.
• Discover the great outdoors: West Lothian is rich with green spaces and play parks and also benefits from three country parks in West Lothian. A wide range of outdoor activities are available at each Country Park and include fly-fishing, walking, golfing, archery, canoeing, rock climbing and bowling as well as restaurants and a caravan and camping site.
• In Livingston, you?ll also find Almond Valley Heritage Centre (new window) ,  an award winning museum, farm and discovery centre where all the family can spend the day together exploring and having fun.
• Five Sisters Zoo (new window) : With a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world on show, the zoo is a fun and educational day out for all ages. 
• Keep fit: With 10 local Xcite sports and leisure centres (new window) , why not play football, go for a swim, relax , or enjoy a work out.

• Golf: For those aiming to be the next Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie, West Lothian provide a range of different golf courses with daily competitions and championships. Deer Park Golf & Country Park: (new window) includes a 6,272 yard course, which has hosted many major championships such as the Scottish PGL Championships and the British Open Qualifiers. For those who wish not to play golf Deer Park also has a bowling alley and its own leisure club and swimming pool.  Uphall Golf Course: (new window) the club is more for those wishing to be members but still accommodate visitors with a small number of bars, which serves meals throughout the day.
• Theatres: Whether you fancy catching a show or taking part in an activity, the local theatres and venues are just the place to do this. Why not check out Howden Park Centre (new window) and Bathgate Regal Community Theatre (new window) .

SHOPPING
There are two large shopping centres in Livingston. The Centre and Livingston Designer Outlet, where you'll find a wide selection of designer and high street shops. Armadale, Bathgate and  Linlithgow town centre are also well served by a variety of local and high street shops.  West Lothian is well served by supermarkets.

EATING OUT
From classy eateries, family friendly restaurants, scrumptious teashops to good pub grub, West Lothian has cuisine to suit all palates. For more information click here

NIGHTLIFE
Nightlife in West Lothian is not hard to come by; with most restaurants and bars offering wide entertainment for every night of the week, whether it be rocking out to your favourite tribute band or singing along to  karaoke, West Lothian has it all. For those who love to party, West Lothian has a wide range of clubs such as Club Earth (new window)   (a hotspot with DJ celebrities) in Livingston and The Twig Night Club (new window) situated in Bathgate.

GETTING AROUND 

Cycling and Walking: With great cycle and walking routes, West Lothian is a great place to get out in the fresh air.

West Lothian is also well served by public transport:

• Taking the train: there are two train stations in Livingston - Livingston North and Livingston South and train stations in Bathgate, Linlithgow, Kirknewton and Uphall, providing excellent links to Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 2010 the Edinburgh to Bathgate service will be extended to Glasgow and a further two trains stations on this route will be opened in Blackridge and Armadale. 
• Taking the bus: There are a number of companies in West Lothian offering good bus routes, for further information and bus timetables access the travel info.
• Taxis: there are a number of taxi companies within the West Lothian area.
• Or, cut your carbon footprint and help the environment by sharing car journeys www.TripshareWestLothian.com (new window) has been created to help you quickly and easily find someone who shares your specific journeys.

HEALTH SERVICES

There are various different health centres dotted around West Lothian with the major hospital St. John's located in the centre of Livingston. Parking facilities and bus routes for all NHS sites are easily marked so you will have no problem getting to and fro.

• St John's Hospital - 01506 523000
• NHS 24 - 08454 242424
• West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP): (new window) The CHCP manages a substantial range of NHS and council services including: community care, personal care, residential care, continuing care, mental health, general practitioner, dental, optician, pharmacist, district nursing, health visiting, five of the allied health professions, children's services, learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Contact the CHCP on 01506 282930