Faucheldean Bing

A modest oil shale bing amongst many in West Lothian, the Faucheldean Bing lies to the north of B8020 road, a quarter-mile (0.5 km) south of Winchburgh (1 km) and 1¼ miles (2 km) north of Broxburn.

Abandoned in 1925, this distinctive pink-coloured landmark is a reminder of the oil shale industry pioneered in West Lothian by James 'Paraffin' Young (1811-83). Today, the bing still reaches a height of 120m (393 feet) above sea level, rising to 31m (101 feet) above the surrounding landscape. It is now protected as a scheduled historic monument and forms an important habitat for a range of locally-rare flora, including Alpine clubmoss and stag's-horn clubmoss, together with a remarkable variety of butterfly and bird species.

The much larger Greendykes Bing is located a quarter-mile (0.5 km) to the south.

Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry