Bonnybridge

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Bonnybridge
scots_name= Bonniebrig
gaelic_name=
population= 6,870 [cite web|publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online|title =Comparative Population Profile: Bonnybridge Locality | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=bonnybridge&mainLevel=Locality | date = 2001-04-29| accessdate =2008-08-31 ] (2001 census)
est. 8,520http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data] (2006)
os_grid_reference= NS825805
map_type=Scotland
latitude=56.003593
longitude=-3.885745
unitary_scotland= Falkirk
lieutenancy_scotland=
constituency_westminster=
constituency_scottish_parliament=
post_town= BONNYBRIDGE
postcode_district = FK4 xxx
postcode_area= FK
dial_code= 01324

Bonnybridge (Lowland Scots Bonniebrig) is a small town in the Falkirk council area, four miles west of Falkirk, Scotland.

Bonnybridge is situated near the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Bonny Water. Nearby, to the south east, is a well preserved section of the Antonine Wall, and the remains of Rough Castle Fort, the most complete of the surviving Roman forts on the wall.

According to the latest (2006) estimates, the population stands at around 8,520: however, the Bonnybridge settlement area including Banknock, Denny, Dunipace and Haggs has a combined population of around 24,370.

Bonnybridge developed greatly during the industrial revolution in the nineteenth Century. Significant industries that were established include paper milling, sawmilling, chemical manufacturing, refractory brick manufacture and whisky distilling. Particularly important for Bonnybridge was the establishment of several iron foundries. The output from these foundries was transported via the Forth & Clyde Canal to local markets, and to Glasgow for export. Bonnybridge was also particularly well served by rail, with the Edinburgh to Glasgow line and the Carlisle to Perth line both nearby. With the canal and rail links Bonnybridge became a centre for industrial production.

In recent years Bonnybridge has become known as the scene of numerous UFO sightings. It forms part of the "Falkirk Triangle", an area stretching from Stirling to Fife and the outskirts of Edinburgh. UFO enthusiasts claim that Bonnybridge is the world's number one UFO location, with an average of around 300 sightings a year.

There are three primary schools in Bonnybridge. Bonnybridge Primary School and Antonine Primary are catchment primaries for Denny High and St Josephs RC Primary is a catchment primary for ST Mungo's RC High School.

Bonnybridge is also the home town of John Morris MacGregor who left Bonnybridge in 1976 to seek his fortune elsewhere. After a period of 8 years he returned to the area and lived in Larbert until 1994. He then set of travelling again and this time with more sucess. His whereabouts these days is a closely guarded secret but it has been rumoured that he has bought a large Chateau in France where he spends most of his time basking in the sun and drinking the wine of the Chateau.

ee also

*List of places in Falkirk Council Area

References

External links

* [http://www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk/home/index.php?id=62 Falkirk Local History Society]
* [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/towns/townfirst301.html Bonnybridge on the Gazeteer for Scotland]
* [http://heritage.scotsman.com/myths.cfm?id=40412005 Bonnybridge UFOs, The Scotsman]
* [http://www.stjosephsbonnybridge.co.uk St Joseph's RC Church, Bonnybridge]
* [http://www.paperclip.org.uk/kilsythweb/Environment/ufo.htm UFO photograph]
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/stjosephsbonnybridge/Little%20history%20store/index.htm Bonnybridge illustrated history]