Balerno

Balerno
Midlothian
Balerno, Midlothian
Location
Grid reference:	NT165665
Location:	55°53’7"N, 3°20’15"W
Data
Population:	6,031  (2001)
Post town:	Balerno
Postcode:	EH14
Dialling code:	0131
Local Government
Council:	Edinburgh
Parliamentary constituency:	Edinburgh South West

Balerno is a village in Midlothian, to the southwest of Edinburgh. It stands 8 miles southwest of the city centre.

History

The name 'Balerno', unusually for Midlothian, is form the Gaelic language, form 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, snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith (evidence of flax production can be seen in Harlaw Woods). 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.

The Caledonian Railway built the Balerno line, a loop 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, and over what is now the Water of Leith Walkway.

Churches

• Church of Scotland: Balerno Parish Church
• Scottish Episcopal Church: St. Mungo's Church

The former St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church closed in August 2006 and was bought by the Church of Scotland parish and renamed 'The St Josephs' Centre'.

About the village

Malleny House and 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 walled garden set in approximately nine acres of woodland.

The gardens feature four 100 year old yew trees known as the Four Apostles and was home to a Bonsai Collection, which was carried away in around 2000 and is now located at Binny Plants near Ecclesmachan.

Red Moss Wildlife Reserve

Red Moss is one of only four raised bogs of sphagnum moss surviving in the Lothians and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Culture and events

• Farmers Market: held in Balerno Main Street on the second Saturday of each month. The Balerno Farmers Market is run by Balerno Village Trust.
• Music Festival: begun in 2008, 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.

Balerno Village Screen

In 2013 Balerno Village Screen was launched - a community cinema project with free admission and funded by donations. The screenings are shown monthly on the first Saturday of every month in the Ogston Hall and the St Joseph's Centre. So far around 400 villagers have turned out per screening to watch the films.

Sport

• Rugby: Currie RFC
• Bowling: Balerno Bowling Club, which dates back to 1885

Local media

• Newspaper: The Currie and Balerno News

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Balerno)

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