Kinneil House, Scotland

Introduction
 
This evening, I am reporting on Kinneil House at Bo'ness in the east of Scotland, about 20 miles NW of Edinburgh.

Landscape looking north from Kinneil capturing the Firth of Forth and Ochills (range of hills) in distance.

Information on Kinneil House and Environs.

Incredibly, this locale has been featured prominently in Scotland's history.This ranges from the 2nd century AD Roman period through to the genesis of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

More information:

  • The unoccupied, Kinneil House which was built on land granted to the powerful Hamilton family in 1314 and owned by them for about 300 years during which time the property underwent embellishments and alterations.
  • The foundations of a fortlet built by the Romans on the Antonine Wall which was completed circa AD 154 and stretched for 39 miles, from the Firth of Forth in the east to Firth of Clyde in the west.
  • A ruined cottage/workshop used by inventor, James Watt (1736-1819) to refine the steam engine and thereby power the Industrial Revolution.
  • A ruined 12th century church within grounds of which are many ancient grave markers.
 Here is Kinneil House. This appears to be structurally sound but is unoccupied. It was saved from demolition by discovery inside of the most stunning Renaissance (14th-17th centuries) rooms in Scotland. The work comprises spectacular wall paintings containing heraldic arms, floral motifs and foliage inhabited by birds and animals.Others are pictures with biblical stories. Tours of the interior are provided on certain days throughout the year.

Fortlet on Antonine Wall. There was one such fortlet at each Roman mile interval. The Wall was 10ft high and built of turf on a stone base. The Antonine Wall was abandoned by the Romans circa AD 165 when they retreated back south to the pre-existing Hadrian's Wall.

Artist's impression of fortlet when complete.


Ruined 12th century church which was accidentally destroyed by fire.


Ancient, 1627, grave marker in grounds of above ruined church.


The ruin below is Scotland's only tangible link with Scots inventor, James Watt who refined the steam engine, making it more efficient and thereby acting as a catalyst to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century and facilitating Britain's growth as a world power and spread of the English language.

The background to this building is that Watt was struggling with practical implementation of his ideas. A businessman who owned a local iron works and was leasing Kinneil House at the time provided Watt with a 'research facility' (cottage/workshop) just a few yards from Kinneil House to work on his engine in a secure and private area. Watt subsequently moved south to Birmingham, England where his engine proved a success.

Visitors can also ride the Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway.

More Information 

Please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland which includes sections on steam hauled trains, the Industrial Revolution and Roman period.  ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. The book is also available via Kindle.

 

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