Welcome
to the "Shale Villages" Project.
Many
of West Lothian's towns and villages owe their origins to
the shale oil industry which operated between c.1860 and 1962.
Houses built by the oil
companies still provide comfortable homes, and the sites of
many oil works and mines are still apparent in the landscape.
Since
the early 1980's Almond Valley Heritage Trust has assembled
a wide-ranging museum collection illustrating the story of
this unique and pioneering Scottish industry.
The
Shale Villages project will allow the museum to support and
encourage local groups and individuals in exploring, recording
and celebrating the shale oil roots of their own communities.
Local volunteers will be involved in recording reminiscences,
surveying the surviving monuments of industry, and other historical
research drawing on the museum's archives and resources.
Every
effort will be taken to encourage all generations to participate
in a way appropriate to their outlooks and interests. The
precise programme of activity will be determined by local
interests in each community, and creative solutions will be
greatly encouraged. The achievements of the project will be
shared and celebrated through a trail leaflet, a website,
and a touring exhibition.
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