Bennie Museum
A free, volunteer-run local history museum in Bathgate, West Lothian, in a row of old cottages and open nearly every day of the year.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Bennie Museum opened on 20 May 1989 as a museum of the history and everyday life of Bathgate, a town in West Lothian. It has been run entirely by volunteers under a charitable trust since it began, and it is a registered Scottish charity.
The museum occupies 9–11 Mansefield Street, a row of cottages in the town centre that dates from the late 18th to the mid 19th century and is a Category C listed building. The displays cover the story of Bathgate and its people, including a section on childhood, and the collection can be searched on the museum website.
Changing exhibitions are mounted regularly. Past subjects include the annual Newlands Day Procession, local anniversaries and general-interest themes such as toys. The museum also runs a video series on well-known people of Bathgate and holds public lectures twice a year, normally in May and November at the Regal Theatre in the town.
Highlights
- Local history of Bathgate in a row of 18th and 19th century cottages
- Childhood and everyday life displays
- Regularly changing exhibitions, for example on the Newlands Day Procession
- Searchable online collection
- Free admission, open almost every day
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Charitable trust run by volunteers (Scottish charity SC017071)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free. The museum accepts donations.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states that it has disabled access but gives no further details.
Kids & families
The museum welcomes educational visits; no separate family programme is listed.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
From the railway station, walk towards the town centre (The Steelyard), go up George Street, turn left at the top and take the first right into Mansefield Street.
By car
Parking available
There is a car park opposite the museum.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Educational visits are welcome and can be guided by a qualified teacher. Parties can book special openings in advance. |
