{"id":1638,"date":"2019-12-09T10:32:02","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T10:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/?p=1638"},"modified":"2020-12-08T17:20:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-08T17:20:41","slug":"livingston-the-five-minute-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/livingston-the-five-minute-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Livingston: The Five Minute Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Livingston: The Place the Scots go shopping!<\/span><\/h1>\n
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Welcome to the five-minute guide to Livingston\u2026 the town with the best shopping districts in central Scotland. It used to be East Kilbride, but then the Plaza changed its name and Livingston came in with the double whammy. There is a Designer outlet, then there is the not-so-designer outlet. Something for every budget, so to speak.<\/p>\n

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Image: SevenMaps\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

So apart from shopping, what does Livingston have going for it? Well, it is the largest town in West Lothian and was designated 2New Town” status in 1962, and is the fourth post-war one. \u00a0It\u2019s a really nice drive out to get to it from Glasgow and the west, it\u2019s actually made up of half a dozen smaller villages that merged, and it is one of our New Towns.<\/p>\n

The New Towns (note the capitals) were built specifically from the \u201940s to the \u201960s, just to make room for all the people that were displaced after the war. We older Millennials in Scotland still remember stories from our grandparents. During the war, the government threw up lots of pre-fabricated houses for them. These were made from corrugated iron and were built to house the people who were bombed out of their city homes. The New Towns<\/a> were places these people could be put safely, without ghettos springing up. Some of them did fall into slums despite the best efforts of the government\u2026 but at least the worst of the tenement slums were gone.<\/p>\n

So\u2026 Clans of Livingston. Clan Livingston<\/a> was probably the most important. MacLea<\/a> (also Lee, Lea, Leigh) were important in the area, and both clan Binning<\/a> and clan Cairn<\/a> are known to hail from here. The Livingston clan actually owned the Almond Castle in the area, also Saltcoats castle and probably everything else, too. They were arguably the most powerful of the lowland clans. It is no wonder the New Town was named after them.<\/p>\n

So \u2013 forget about history for a moment. If you were spending a little time in the West Lothian area, what should you go and see? Let\u2019s find out\u2026<\/p>\n

Livingston Does Have More Than Shops<\/h2>\n

If you were passing through Livingston and you wanted to kill some time \u2013 what are the top sights you should see?<\/p>\n

Shopping!<\/h3>\n
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Editorial credit: Tana888 \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Although Livingston has more than just shops to it, they are a good place to start. Take your pick of the three malls.<\/p>\n

Craigshill Shopping Mall<\/a> \u2013 this is where you go for the cheaper stuff, the day-to-day buys and the groceries you may well later not use.<\/p>\n

The Centre<\/a> \u2013 This is where you go clothes shopping on a modest to middling budget.<\/p>\n

Livingston Designer Outlet<\/a> \u2013 Is always busy but not many people buy anything. If you want the best gear, go here.<\/p>\n

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Editorial credit: Tana888 \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Almond Valley<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Almond Valley is a great place to take the kids in Livingston. They run regular events all throughout the year and have a great adventure playground complex. They advertise as a farm, museum and discovery centre and that\u2019s kind of the best way we think there is to describe it. For instance, one of their \u2018exhibits\u2019 in winter is a lantern-lit garden where you can light a lantern of your own. It\u2019s really magical and beautiful.\u00a0 If you need somewhere to host a kid\u2019s birthday party this is probably the most popular place in the area.<\/p>\n

The Five Sisters Zoo<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Five sisters is a small animal zoo and adventure play area that is technically in West Calder, but we think that is close enough to Livingston to count. It falls into the category of a great day out with the kids and is open all year round at weekends, and through the week on school holidays. They now have Snow Leopards\u2026 you probably won\u2019t be able to handle the cuteness.<\/p>\n

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The Zoo not only has an abundance of inhabitants but also some impressive statues too.
Image: Euan Brown\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

The Howden Park Centre<\/a><\/h3>\n

If cultural entertainment and the arts are more your style, then you may want to visit Howden Park. This is the place to catch a show, hire a corporate suite, or catch the pantomimes regularly shown every festive season. It\u2019s a reasonably big venue that regularly hosts famous bands, performers, and entertainers. If you are spending time in Livingston it is always worth seeing what is on.<\/p>\n

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park<\/a><\/h3>\n

A favourite on Trip Advisor<\/a>, this country park has free car parking, a lovely variety of walks, riverside footpaths, picnic areas, and cycling tracks. It\u2019s a pretty area that we suggest you take advantage of if you find yourself in the town centre and in need of some forest bathing. This area is tucked away down the valley, affording a bit of natural privacy. It\u2019s a popular area in the summer, on the occasional hot day we have here.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Livingston?<\/h2>\n

If you are in town with the family then don\u2019t panic, there is a Frankie and Benny\u2019s<\/a> to take care of you. There\u2019s also a Tony Macaroni<\/a> for a decent family meal and good portions.\u00a0 For finer dining try the Terrace Restaurant<\/a> on Almondvale Crescent. It has a fair few five star reviews.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for the best bar in town try the Parrafin Lamp<\/a>, although the Tower Bar<\/a> has more quizzes and games. The Dreadnought<\/a> in nearby Bathgate is where the locals go to dance but you had better like rock and roll\u2026<\/p>\n

Other Notable Livingston Attractions<\/h2>\n

Some of the other things to do in Livingston include:<\/p>\n