I hope to put online some history in the near future. If you have any historical information about Longridge Village let me know at allan@vint.co.uk
(Extracted from 'A history of Fauldhouse: Longridge and district' by Robert Kerr
The recording of history concerning the district around Longridge begins in the 18th century. Significantly, the first major event is in relation to that central edifice of Longridge, the church. Around 1777 there was an application made and permission given to build a Kirk in Longridge. The First minister was Rev John Brow, who was to occupy the manse, Burnhead House.
Over the years the church changed it's affiliations, originally it was a Burgher Kirk, later the church was to split into the Auld and the New Lichts. (The Kirk built in 1809 in Longridge by the Auld Lichts was later converted to houses). Later again the link was to the United Presbyterian denomination and most recently Church of Scotland.
A list of some ministers can be found by clicking here
Part of the reason for the settlement at Longridge was the nearby developing industry created by the mining of ironstone and coal and also the quarrying of various materials. In 1845 a railway between Longridge and Morningside was opened.
The old school at Longridge was the first cottage on the right, coming from Whitburn. It was built with 'public subscription, the 'Ferguson Bequest' and Government Aid' in 1860. In 1883, Whitburn school board thought about closing this school and making the children walk to Fauldhouse or to Whitburn (About 80 children attended Longridge school at that time) However they changed their minds and built a new school near to the present school)
Map Longridge about 1897 below
The main road was of course the major artery linking Lanark and Linlithgow (today the A706). This was known as the Cleugh Road, the name coming form the Cleuch ironworks at Wilsontown.
In a map dating from around 1895/1905 Longridge is shown to have a School, Manse, United Presbyterian Kirk, Wester Longridge, Rashierigg, Curling Pond and Longridge Railway Station. At a later point Longridge was also to have its own Gasworks and Nail Factory.
Population of Longridge
1856 | 225 |
1861 | 413 |
1871 | 436 |
1881 | 442 |
1970 | 717 |
1991 | 530 |
1997 | 606 |
2000 | 703 |