Grangemouth

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Grangemouth petrochemical works, November 2006

Grangemouth is a burgh in the council area of Falkirk, Scotland, and formerly in the County of Stirling. It is located on the Firth of Forth 3 miles east of Falkirk. It is currently known for its large petrochemical plant, one of the largest in Europe.

Its population 17,551 (2004).

Grangemouth was founded by Sir Lawrence Dundas in 1777 and was built in conjunction with the eastern end of the Forth and Clyde Canal. Its original name was Sealock referencing its proximity to where the canal flowed into the Forth. It became prominent due to the canal traffic that passed through. High tariffs at the port of Leith caused much traffic to come to Grangemouth instead. The re-opened canal no longer passes through the old part of Grangemouth, but joins the tidal River Carron, which has been deepened to allow access to the River Forth for canal traffic. The town's current name refers to its position at the mouth of the Grange Burn (or stream) which flows into the River Forth at this point.

Grange Burn in the snow

During WWII Inchrya Road was used as a runway, Canadian and Polish citizens were based there. Immediately prior to the outbreak of WWII the runway was an integral part of the Central Scotland Airport.

The Soap Works building which was used to manufacture soap and glycerine and owned by the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society was established in 1897. This was the largest works of its kind in Scotland and employed a considerable number of local people.

This local landmark at the end of Wood Street opposite the Old Bus Garage was demolished in November 2005 to make way for the new Whyte & McKay blending and bottling plant. The town has new shopping facilities being built in response to its increasing popularity as a commuter town for Edinburgh.

The Soap Works demolition began in July 2005

Grangemouth Port is also one of the main ports in the UK with the largest container terminal (the first in the UK) and the busiest deep water port in Scotland. There are also links to the inter-modal freight facilities elsewhere in the town which use the town's convenient motorway connections. The town is virtually equidistant between the two largest cities in Scotland - Glasgow and Edinburgh - which has led to a number of motels and hotels being set up to satisfy the demand for convenient but lower cost tourist and business accommodation servicing these popular destinations.

For its size, Grangemouth is well catered for with sporting facilities, including an international-standard sports stadium and sports centre. Grangemouth Golf Club is actually located in neighbor village Polmont.

Grangemouth was notable for many years for having a three tier school system (primary schools - Abbots Road (formerly the Infant School)- now closed, Beancross, Bowhouse, Dundas - now closed, Grange - now closed, Zetland - now closed), (middle schools - Abbotsgrange (formerly the High School) - now closed, Moray (formerly Moray Secondary, High, now primary) and (high school - Grangemouth High School). This system ended in 1988. The High School is due for a re-build in 2008. There is also a primary school providing Catholic-focused education - Sacred Heart.

Twinned with La Porte, Indiana and with Creteil, Paris, France as part of Falkirk District.

[edit] Famous residents

Robin Guthrie, Will Heggie and Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.
Steve Frew - Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, gymnastics.
Alan Davie - artist
George Young (footballer) - ex-Rangers and Scotland football captain
Stuart Kennedy - ex-Aberdeen and Scotland footballer
Kaye Adams - television presenter

[edit] International Schools Athletics

The 2006 Schools International Athletics Championships will be held in Grangemouth. The championships feature some of the best young athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.