Explore Craigshill’s origins as Livingston’s first area, built in the 1960s to alleviate overcrowding in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Craigshill was Livingston’s first part. They built it around 1966. Scotland built new towns after the war. These towns helped ease overcrowding in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
YouTube has images of residents walking around town. One picture shows people by the Craigshill mall. You can see the old Craigshill High School.
The school opened in 1969 with 120 students. It had a pool and game halls. But it closed in 1992. They started tearing it down soon after. Only one wing remains now. Scottish Gymnastics owns this wing.
One photo shows people boarding a bus to London. Another shows a woodworking class. A teacher helps the students.
Livingston grew. By 1971, it had 14,000 people. Pictures show the road connecting neighborhoods. The houses are interesting. They used Danish-style blocks. Also, they built low concrete homes. These homes had Scandinavian roofs.
Livingston was built in stages. Craigshill’s mall came first, in 1968. Then Almondvale Shopping Centre opened in the 1970s. Now, it’s “The Centre.” It is Livingston’s main shopping area. The M8 connects Livingston to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Many people visit those cities.
Livingston turned 60 in 2023. April 16 is the date the town was established.