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Dechmont
Dechmont
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Dechmont (DEK-ment; Gaelic: Deagh Mhonadh) is a small village located near Uphall, West Lothian in Scotland. Bangour Village Hospital is located to the west of Dechmont. It has an approximate population of 989 people. Its postal code is EH52.[2] An alleged alien encounter took place in 1979 in the nearby Dechmont Woods.[3]

Key Information

The village has a small infant/primary school providing learning for pre-school through to primary three pupils. In 2012 the school roll was thirteen which consisted of five primary one pupils; four primary two pupils and four primary three pupils as well as sixteen pre-school infants[4]

Lothian Country operates daytime bus service X18 and night service N18 between Edinburgh and Whitburn via Broxburn, Bathgate and Armadale.

Notable residents

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Several notable persons born between the 1948 and 1990 are described as being 'from' Dechmont as per their birth certificate, but have only a tenuous link to the town due to being delivered at Bangour General Hospital which operated in that period;[5][6] most children born here would have grown up elsewhere in West Lothian.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Dechmont is a small village in , , situated approximately 2 miles (3 km) west of Uphall and 2 miles (3 km) north of Livingston, with a population of 660 (2022). The village lies immediately north of the M8 motorway and is bordered by wooded areas, including Dechmont Law, a 66-hectare recreational featuring a prominent volcanic hill that offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Dechmont gained international attention due to the "Livingston Incident," a reported UFO encounter on November 9, 1979, in Dechmont Woods, where local forestry worker Robert Taylor claimed to have been approached by a large spherical object and subsequently attacked by smaller, spider-like devices that left him injured and dragged toward the craft. This event prompted to investigate it as a criminal —the only known instance in the where a UFO sighting was officially treated as such—resulting in the recovery of mysterious ground marks and torn fibers at the site, though no perpetrators were identified. The incident's legacy endures through the Dechmont UFO Monument and Trail, established in 2019 to commemorate the event and attract visitors to the area, highlighting Dechmont's blend of rural tranquility and enigmatic folklore. The village also features historical ties to nearby , a former psychiatric facility to its west, contributing to its quiet, community-oriented character amid West Lothian's industrial and natural landscapes.

Geography

Location and transport

Dechmont is situated in , , at approximately 55°55′N 3°32′W, with an average elevation of around 150 meters above . The village lies on a gently rising landscape, including the nearby Dechmont Law hill to the southwest. It is positioned about 2 miles west of Uphall, 3 miles north of Livingston, and 15 miles west of , serving primarily as a commuter village for residents working in these larger urban centers. Access to major transport routes enhances its connectivity; the village is adjacent to Junction 3 of the M8 motorway, providing swift links to (about 35 miles west) and . The A89 road runs nearby, facilitating local travel, while regular bus services operate along this route to Livingston and . Dechmont lacks its own railway station but is within 1.5 miles of Uphall station on the , offering frequent trains to (journey time around 20 minutes) and beyond. The area's road network has historical roots in the 19th-century turnpike system, which improved connectivity across through tolled routes linking and ; by 1795, four such roads traversed the region, influencing local development including paths near Dechmont.

and landmarks

Dechmont Law is a prominent rising to 217 meters above , forming a distinctive elongated ridge aligned north-south with steep flanks accentuated by ancient volcanic activity from the period. This hill, located approximately 1.25 kilometers southwest of Dechmont village, serves as a key natural feature in the local landscape, offering panoramic views across the plains to the north and east. Managed by Council as a 66-hectare recreational area, it includes a network of footpaths traversing grassland and mixed woodland, making it a popular site for walking and enjoying the open countryside. The surrounding terrain of Dechmont features a mix of wooded areas and , with Dechmont Woods providing dense cover that supports local and historical activities. These woods, along with expansive farmlands, transition into the broader Almond Valley to the south, where the River Almond carves through similar volcanic-influenced geology. Dechmont Law itself lies just south of the M8 motorway, which marks a northern boundary for the area's natural expanse. Geologically, the hill's formation as a has left traces of prehistoric human activity on its slopes, including agricultural terracing from the and Iron Ages and the faint remains of a small at the summit. These features highlight the enduring influence of ancient volcanic landscapes on settlement patterns in . Among built landmarks, the site of Dechmont Castle stands as a historical ; constructed in 1869 by shale oil pioneer Edward Meldrum on the grounds of an earlier mansion house, it was largely demolished in due to maintenance costs and replaced by the nearby Dechmont House, a private Edwardian villa. Complementing the natural topography, Dechmont Law Park, a 31-hectare site adjacent to the hill, preserves native tree species and contributes to the area's green corridor.

History

Early settlement and land use

The name Dechmont derives from the Gaelic Deagh Mhonadh, meaning "good hill," likely referring to the prominent viewpoint offered by Dechmont , the area's dominant hill feature. This ties into the broader , where "law" itself denotes a rounded hill in Scots, underscoring the region's topographic significance in early naming conventions. Archaeological evidence indicates a small prehistoric on the summit of Dechmont Law, consisting of an elongated ridge with steep flanks, a up to 6 m wide and 0.9 m deep, and slight earthworks, possibly dating to the . From medieval times through the 18th century, the lands of Dechmont formed part of the in , characterized by rural estate ownership and agricultural tenure under feudal systems. The area's first documented reference dates to 1336, when it was noted in records as a holding within the , emphasizing its integration into local manorial structures. By the early , the Dechmont estate was held by John Hamilton of Pencaitland, who began disposing of portions of his holdings around 1802; it was subsequently transferred to James Campbell prior to 1821, marking a shift in proprietary control amid ongoing agrarian economies. In 1821, the estate was sold to William Wilson, establishing a pattern of focused on and resource extraction, including quarries that supported local . Wilson held the property until his death in 1850, after which his son continued its agricultural orientation with a few scattered farms dotting the landscape along the Edinburgh-Glasgow road. This period reinforced Dechmont's role as a rural enclave, with centered on and minor quarrying before the onset of industrial later in the century.

Industrial era and modern development

The industrial era in Dechmont was closely tied to the boom in during the 19th century. In 1864, Scottish chemist Edward Meldrum acquired the Dechmont estate, which included the older mansion house known as Old Dechmont House. Meldrum, who had partnered with James Young in pioneering paraffin oil production from shale since 1850, demolished the existing structure and rebuilt it as Dechmont Castle in 1869, reflecting his wealth from the industry. This development underscored Dechmont's integration into the regional economy, with nearby works like Uphall Oil Company contributing to local economic activity until the industry's decline in the early 20th century. The brought significant transformation through the influence of Livingston New Town, designated on April 16, 1962, to address post-war housing needs and overspill from and . This led to residential expansion in surrounding areas, including Dechmont, where the rural population base grew as families sought near the expanding town; by the late , Dechmont's population had risen to around 1,000 from its sparse agrarian origins. Post-1970s developments solidified Dechmont's role as a commuter village, facilitated by the completion of key sections of the M8 motorway in the 1960s and 1970s, including Junction 3 at Dechmont, which improved access to and . The formation of the Dechmont in the mid-1970s, following the Local Government () Act 1973 that established such bodies nationwide, helped address local governance needs amid rapid growth. In the , housing expansions continued, with new estates like those on adding to the village's residential stock while policies emphasized preserving green spaces around Dechmont to maintain its semi-rural character. As of July 2024, the Dechmont adopted a Local Place Plan for 2024–2034, focusing on sustainable housing growth and environmental protection, reflecting a population of 776 as of the 2022 Census.

Bangour Village Hospital

Origins and expansion

The planning for , originally named the Edinburgh District Asylum, began in 1898 when the Edinburgh Lunacy Board launched an architectural competition to design a new psychiatric facility, with construction spanning from 1898 to 1906 on a 960-acre site west of Dechmont in . The site was selected for its rural, south-facing slopes conducive to therapeutic environments, and the first patients—transferred from the overcrowded Royal Edinburgh Asylum—arrived in 1904, with over 200 accommodated in temporary structures by the end of 1905. The hospital was officially opened on 13 October 1906 by the , of Linlithgowshire, marking the completion of its pioneering village-style layout designed by architect Hippolyte J. Blanc. Bangour's design philosophy drew inspiration from the German Alt-Scherbitz asylum near Leipzig, adopting a village or colony system to promote patient normalization through a self-contained community rather than institutional confinement. This approach emphasized open-air therapy, occupational activities, and domestic living, featuring over 30 detached villas (each housing 25-40 patients in homelike settings with dormitories, day rooms, and dining areas), a farm for agricultural work, a church built between 1924 and 1930 as a World War I memorial and serving as a communal centerpiece, workshops, bakery, laundry, and recreation hall to support around 1,000 patients and staff. The villas, built in a 17th-century Scottish Renaissance style, were dispersed across the landscape to foster a sense of community and reduce stigma, reflecting early 20th-century progressive psychiatric ideals. Early expansions enhanced the site's self-sufficiency and accessibility, including a dedicated power station for electricity generation and a railway halt at Bangour station, connected to Uphall station, which facilitated construction and provided passenger services until its closure in the 1950s. By the 1920s, the facility had reached its pre-war peak capacity of approximately 1,000 patients, solidifying its role as Scotland's premier example of the village asylum model. Administratively, it remained under the management of the Edinburgh District Lunacy Board (later the Board of Control) from its inception until the National Health Service Act of 1946 integrated it into the South Eastern Regional Hospital Board in 1948.

Military use and post-war role

During the First World War, Bangour Village Hospital was requisitioned by the War Office in 1915 and converted into a military facility known as Bangour War Hospital, with its psychiatric patients transferred to other asylums across the country to accommodate wounded soldiers. The hospital expanded rapidly to handle the influx, incorporating additional wards, huts, and marquees to reach a peak capacity of 3,000 patients by 1918. Following the armistice, the facility reverted to psychiatric care and reopened to mental health patients in 1922. In the lead-up to the Second World War, the hospital was again repurposed for military use in 1939 under the Emergency Hospital Service (Scotland), becoming the War Hospital to prepare for anticipated casualties. An extensive annexe of prefabricated huts and temporary structures was constructed adjacent to the original site, forming what would later be known as Bangour , to supplement capacity for wartime medical needs. Although initial projections for air raid victims did not fully materialize, the facility adapted to treat a range of conditions, including neurosurgical cases in collaboration with the Royal Infirmary of , patients, and those requiring specialized surgeries such as plastic, facio-maxillary, and thoracic procedures. After the war, Bangour Village Hospital was formally integrated into the National Health Service in 1948 under the NHS (Scotland) Act 1947, falling under the management of the West Lothian Hospitals Board and resuming its role as a psychiatric institution. From the 1950s onward, it expanded its catchment area to include patients from West Lothian alongside those from Edinburgh, reflecting broader regional healthcare reorganization, and by 1974 it had ceased admitting new patients from Edinburgh entirely. The hospital evolved with mid-20th-century psychiatric practices, emphasizing institutional care within its village-style layout, though it later transitioned toward community-based models in line with national shifts away from large-scale asylums during the 1970s and 1980s. This period saw a gradual decline in resident patient numbers as deinstitutionalization policies took hold, reducing the focus on long-term hospitalization.

Closure and redevelopment

The closure of Bangour Village Hospital occurred gradually as part of broader shifts in mental health care provision across the . Psychiatric services began to phase out in the early 1990s, aligning with the national deinstitutionalization policy outlined in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, which emphasized community-based care over large institutional settings. By the late 1990s, patient admissions had significantly declined due to these policy changes, alongside rising operational costs and outdated infrastructure, leading to the closure of the last in-patient psychiatric unit in 1999. Remaining services, including , continued until their transfer, resulting in the full vacation of the site by 2004. Following closure, the site remained largely derelict for several years, with early proposals emerging in the late 1990s but facing delays due to planning complexities and economic factors. In 2009, the Local formally allocated the 215-acre site for residential use, paving the way for its sale to private developers, including the Ambassador Group, around 2017. As of 2025, the site is being redeveloped into the Bangour Village Estate, a sustainable development planned for 976 homes, with over 500 completed or under construction, including energy-efficient detached and properties integrated into the existing woodland landscape. In September 2025, David Wilson Homes launched a new phase of three- and four-bedroom homes, marking another milestone in the regeneration. Recent approvals in November 2024 allow for the retention and adaptation of listed buildings, such as the Category A-listed Village Church and Recreation Hall—the church adapted for community use—while non-viable buildings were demolished to make way for modern amenities like play areas and a local retail hub. The redevelopment has left a lasting legacy on the Dechmont area, blending residential expansion with green spaces that include preserved woodland walks and paths for public access. The site now primarily consists of private residences, with subtle memorials to its institutional past incorporated into the landscape, honoring its role in psychiatric and wartime care. Economically, the project has stimulated local growth through construction employment and increased demand for services, contributing to West Lothian's housing supply amid regional population pressures.

Robert Taylor UFO incident

The 1979 encounter

On November 9, 1979, Robert Taylor, a 61-year-old worker employed by the Livingston Development Corporation, was conducting a routine in Dechmont Woods near Dechmont while walking his red setter dog. A respected local known as a teetotaler and churchgoer with no history of mental illness, Taylor had served as a war hero and was undertaking his duties around 10:30 a.m. when he encountered an unusual object approximately 100 yards ahead on a woodland path. Taylor described the object as a large, dome-shaped about 20 feet in , constructed of dark metallic material and hovering silently above the ground. It featured protruding bands or arms around its equator, and as he approached to within about 10 feet, the craft emitted a low hissing sound accompanied by an acrid resembling burning rubber. Two smaller devices, each roughly the size of car tires and resembling sea mines with protruding spikes, then emerged from the larger object and rolled toward him across the ground, tugging at his and jacket as if attempting to drag him closer, which caused him to lose consciousness. Taylor awoke roughly 20 minutes later in a nearby clearing, approximately 100 yards from the initial site, disoriented and unable to speak or walk properly, with his clothing torn and his barking nearby. He managed to drive his van but veered into a en route home, where he contacted his wife, who then called the police; Taylor reported the incident as an "attack by aliens." Physical traces at the scene included ladder-like indentations in the and approximately 40 small, circular holes about 3.5 inches in , while forensic examination of his revealed tears consistent with a sharp upward pull from hooked objects.

Police investigation and cultural impact

Following Robert Taylor's report of the encounter on 9 1979, Livingston Police launched an official investigation, treating the incident as a criminal due to the physical injuries and damage to his clothing—the only such case in police history involving a UFO landing. Officers examined the site the following day, documenting approximately 40 small circular holes (about 3.5 inches in diameter) arranged in two parallel lines resembling ladder rungs, along with torn ground vegetation and no evidence of tracks or human intervention. Forensic examination of Taylor's trousers revealed tears consistent with a sharp upward pull, but no fibers, soil, or other traces linking to known machinery or devices. No suspects were identified, and the case was closed as unexplained without charges being filed. The incident was also reviewed by the , which concluded it posed no threat to and required no further action, filing it among routine UFO reports without in-depth analysis. Skeptical explanations included suggestions from geologists that the ground marks could result from animal activity, such as badger digging, though this did not account for the precise alignment or Taylor's injuries; Taylor's reputation as a teetotaler and respected veteran bolstered his credibility among investigators. Inquiries by ufologists in the , including soil sampling and witness interviews, found no evidence of fabrication, reinforcing the case's unresolved status. The event has left a lasting cultural legacy, recognized as Scotland's most famous UFO case and a cornerstone of the Triangle—a region notorious for frequent sightings. In 2018, a dedicated UFO trail was established at Dechmont Law, featuring interpretive plaques and a monument commemorating the incident, which has drawn tourists and enthusiasts for guided walks and annual events. It inspired the 2019 book The Dechmont Woods UFO Incident by investigator Malcolm Robinson, detailing the case's evidence and interviews, as well as documentaries like The Dechmont Woods Case (2023), which explore its implications through archival footage and expert commentary. Locally, the incident amplified media attention on Dechmont, transforming the quiet into a site of intrigue and boosting regional through UFO-themed attractions. Taylor's death in 2007 at age 88 prompted renewed media coverage, including that highlighted the enduring mystery and his unwavering account.

Demographics and community

Population and housing

According to the 2011 UK , Dechmont had a of 706 . The 2022 recorded a slight decline to 660, reflecting a -0.61% annual change over the intervening period, though recent housing developments suggest potential renewed growth. Demographically, Dechmont remains predominantly White, with 97.4% of identifying as such in the 2022 , aligning with broader trends where over 90% are White Scottish. The age distribution skews older than the regional average, with approximately 28% under 18 years and 28% aged 65 and over, contributing to economic inactivity rates slightly higher than the average of around 22% among working-age adults per 2011 data—largely due to retirement. Housing in Dechmont consists primarily of a mix of homes and bungalows, typical of Scottish villages, with the postcode area EH52 encompassing the locality. Average property prices exceeded £220,000 in 2024, reflecting steady demand in a low-deprivation area per the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020. Redevelopment of the former site has approved plans for nearly 1,000 housing units as of 2024, including conversions of listed buildings and 3- to 5-bedroom detached and homes, supporting potential population influx from workers seeking affordable commuter options.

Local economy and facilities

Dechmont's local economy is predominantly commuter-oriented, with residents typically traveling to nearby Livingston or for work in sectors including retail, administration, and manufacturing. Local job opportunities remain limited, primarily in , , and small-scale businesses, reflecting the village's rural character. Unemployment in Dechmont stood at 1.7% for the working-age (16-64) as of 2015, lower than Scotland's national average of 1.9% at the time; more recent data for indicate a rate of 2.7% in 2024, still below the Scottish (3.1%) and (3.8%) averages. Key facilities in Dechmont include the Dechmont Memorial Hall, a managed by a local association formed in 1978, which hosts events, activities, and meetings for all age groups. The village's needs were served by , with critically low enrollment (forecast at 1 for 2024/25) leading to its mothballing in August 2024 due to declining numbers; were transferred to nearby , and the mothballing has been extended to June 2026. Daily amenities comprise a single village shop and on , essential for banking, parcels, and basic groceries, alongside a playpark and sports fields at Dechmont Park; larger green spaces like the 35-hectare North Wood provide recreational access. The , active since the establishment of such bodies in the , plays a central role in advocating for planning issues, organizing events, and fostering community engagement, including through the 2024-2034 Local Place Plan. Volunteer efforts support local initiatives, such as maintenance of woodland areas like North Wood. However, the village faces challenges with a limited high street offering few retail options and reliance on nearby Uphall for secondary services, including surgeries and connections.

Notable residents

Sports personalities

Dechmont has produced several notable figures in Scottish sports, particularly in football and , reflecting the village's proximity to professional clubs and training facilities in . Among the most prominent is , a professional footballer born in Dechmont on 1 November 1988. Arfield began his career with , making his senior debut in 2007 and accumulating over 100 appearances before transferring to Town in 2010. He joined in 2013, where he played 193 matches across all competitions until 2018, contributing significantly to their promotion to the in 2016. After a successful stint at Rangers from 2018 to 2023, where he won multiple domestic trophies, Arfield moved to Major League Soccer's in 2023. As of 2025, he has returned to on a contract until 2026. Internationally, despite being born in , Arfield switched allegiance to in 2016, earning 19 caps and scoring 2 goals by 2024. Another key sports personality from Dechmont is golfer , born on 1 November 1974. Gallacher turned professional in 1995 and earned his European Tour card that year, establishing himself as a consistent performer on the circuit. He secured four DP World Tour victories, including the 2004 , the 2013 , the 2014 , and the 2019 Hero Indian Open. Earlier in his career, Gallacher won four times on the between 1997 and 2002, helping build his reputation. His family ties to golf are notable; his uncle, , was a prominent player and captain. Gallacher himself qualified for the , representing and at Gleneagles. Now competing on the , he continues to mentor young players while maintaining strong ties to Scottish golf. Dechmont has also been a birthplace for other footballers who progressed through Scottish leagues. Andy Gibson, born on 2 February 1969, played as a midfielder for clubs including Heart of Midlothian and St Mirren in the , making over 50 appearances for Hearts before moving to Partick Thistle and later lower-tier teams. Sean Lynch, born on 31 January 1987, developed through Hibernian youth ranks and featured for Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, with notable spells including loan moves and over 100 senior appearances across the and Premiership levels. The village's location near Livingston FC has fostered a strong local sports context, with Dechmont residents often participating in youth academies affiliated with the club, providing pathways to professional contracts and enhancing community engagement in football development programs.

Other figures

Edward Meldrum (c. 1820–1875) was a prominent 19th-century chemist and industrialist who played a key role in pioneering Scotland's shale oil industry. As a partner of James Young, the inventor of paraffin, Meldrum co-founded early oil works in the Bathgate area, establishing the world's first commercial shale oil operation in 1851. He later formed E. Meldrum & Co. around 1850 to market shale-derived products, with offices in Glasgow, and collaborated on ventures like the Boghall Oil Works until the firm's dissolution in 1871. In 1864, Meldrum purchased the Dechmont estate, where he constructed Dechmont Castle in 1869 as a Gothic Revival residence overlooking the area. His death on 13 June 1875, at age 55, left the estate to his widow Mary and four children, whose subsequent management and eventual sale influenced local economic transitions from agriculture to industrial extraction. The Wilson family, 19th-century landowners, significantly shaped Dechmont's early agricultural landscape after acquiring the estate in 1821 from James Campbell. William Wilson senior purchased it but died shortly after in 1824, passing it to his son William Wilson junior, who invested in drainage, pasturage improvements, and land sales that expanded the holdings to 711 acres by 1853. The junior Wilson, an active community figure as a Presbytery elder from 1846 and supporter of Conservative politics, hosted events like the 1852 Hunt Ball, fostering local social and economic ties. His son, the third William Wilson, inherited in 1850 and sold the estate in 1860 for £27,000 to , marking the shift toward industrial uses that altered Dechmont's agrarian focus. Robert Taylor (1919–2007), a forestry worker for the Livingston Development Corporation who lived in the Livingston area, gained international attention as the central figure in the 1979 Dechmont Woods UFO incident, leading to the UK's only police investigation of a UFO case as an assault. A respected veteran, teetotaler, and churchgoer, Taylor maintained his account consistently until his death on 14 March 2007 at age 88, earning praise for his credibility among investigators and locals. In the modern era, leaders of the , established post-1975, have advocated for preserving green spaces amid urban growth. For instance, John Galvin, as chairman, spearheaded the Dechmont Village Environmental Improvements project, focusing on enhancing local amenities and .

References

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