The historic Provost Lamp dates from around the early 1900s. It used to move and be placed outside the home of the sitting provost of Bathgate from the early 1900s to 1974 when it sat outside the home of William Francis Stuart – the last provost of Bathgate.
From the 1990s the lamp has sat in its current position in front of the Chapel Well on Marjoriebanks Street – about 500 yards from the final provost’s house.
Councillor Harry Cartmill was the driving force behind getting the provost lamp restored.
Cllr Cartmill said: “It’s an historic, wonderful lamp but somewhat forgotten about until I got my hands on it. It’s a huge part of Bathgate history.“
“When Bathgate was a borough this was the provost lamp and the lamp was uprooted and put outside the house of every provost to donate that this was the provost – it was symbolic to show that this person was the premier person of the town.“
“It’s a tangible piece of history. I love it and I’m so pleased to get it back.”
Cllr Cartmill also thanked West Lothian Council for completing the refurbishment of the lamp which will also now light up for the first time in years.
