Explore!

Explore! Our articles cover anything and everything to do with West Lothian, West Edinburgh and Falkirk.

A selection of what goes into print is published here.

Browse the archives below or use the archive menu to sort by category, or use the search bar to find a specific reference.

Read past and current issues online

ONLINE LIBRARY

Editor

Dec 7, 20204 min read

“Because you would do this for me”

“‘You would do this for me,’ is the response we all give to the question, ‘Why are you doing this?’” says Muna Ausat, one of a group of Falk

Editor

Sep 7, 20205 min read

A walk along the Bo’ness waterfront

Packed with features interest, this pushchair and wheelchair-friendly walk starts and finishes at the historic Bo'ness harbour

African soul, crafted in Scotland: Gold medal-winning rum from Matugga Distillers

Editor

Apr 10, 20204 min read

African soul, crafted in Scotland: Gold medal-winning rum from Matugga Distillers

You might think the ingredients for gold medal-winning rum is all in the molasses and copper pot stills. But you’d be only partially correct

Waz and Assfa – Keeping Supplies Rolling

Editor

Mar 30, 20202 min read

Waz and Assfa – Keeping Supplies Rolling

The only man with a reliable supply of toilet roll for miles around is busy, of course, when I call in to find out how he does what the...

Editor

Mar 26, 20204 min read

The Sunday Dinner Lady

“Sunday dinner was always a tradition in my family,” says Winchburgh resident Anne Wilson, aka the Sunday Dinner Lady. “I love a Sunday...

Craigshill Good Neighbour Network (CGNN): Neighbours helping Neighbours

Editor

Mar 12, 20203 min read

Craigshill Good Neighbour Network (CGNN): Neighbours helping Neighbours

Operating from a base in Craigshill, but open to people from all around West Lothian and beyond (“we wouldn’t be good neighbours if we...

Alderstone: Plague-watching duties, muster and civil war

Editor

Mar 8, 20204 min read

Alderstone: Plague-watching duties, muster and civil war

A time-travelling resident of the Livingston area from the 15th century would recognise almost nothing if they visited today; it would be...

Editor

Mar 4, 20203 min read

Allison Poulter, Cat Sitter

It’s an unusual occupation, one born from a passion for cats. Allison Poulter is a home-visiting cat sitter. Or Cat Whisperer. Or...

Editor

Feb 7, 20206 min read

How Dynamite came to Scotland

The Nobel Prizes are announced annually; world-famous coveted prizes for those who confer “the greatest benefit on mankind” in sciences,...

Editor

Jan 31, 20203 min read

Musically Active Dudes

A class with an energetic dance vibe and great music, from a DJ who regularly spins the discs at Boteco do Brasil in Edinburgh and...

Safe Hand Cabs: genuinely accessible private hire

Editor

Dec 24, 20192 min read

Safe Hand Cabs: genuinely accessible private hire

“Most places have their own local taxi company, but until now that’s been missing from the Balerno and Currie area,” says Kenny Roberts,...

Editor

Dec 16, 20194 min read

Howden Weir: The UK's Largest Rock Ramp

It looks like a natural rock fall in the river, but is actually a sophisticated piece of engineering work. In the River Almond at Howden...

Editor

Dec 10, 20195 min read

The Irn-Bru Fleet

January 1937 – a huge Clydesdale horse lies stricken on the frosty ground of the Cow Wynd in Falkirk, having slipped on the ice. His...

Dunmore: "If you like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.”

Editor

Aug 12, 20193 min read

Dunmore: "If you like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain.”

Well, it’s not quite piña colada, but it is a pineapple and you may well get caught in the rain. This month we visited what is described...

Editor

Jul 24, 20193 min read

Tot's Spot: The Play Cafe Concept

A bright airy room, a series of mini play-zones and an open plan table arrangement where you can sit with your coffee or lunch and watch...

Editor

Jul 11, 20193 min read

eeek! Escape Room

“We’re puzzle geeks,” explains Ellie, co-owner of Linlithgow’s new escape room, eeek! Along with her husband Euan (and with a willing...

Editor

Jun 12, 20193 min read

Paw Stop!

How about lunch at a place where your dog is not only welcome, but where the whole place is designed specifically around them, so you and...

Editor

Jun 11, 20194 min read

HandiCabs Lothian

You’ve probably seen the HandiCabs minibus dropping people off at the supermarkets and buzzing around the area and not given it a second...

“No-one knows the river like its anglers.”

Editor

May 15, 20194 min read

“No-one knows the river like its anglers.”

“I remember a time when sometimes the river ran red, sometimes it ran blue,” says George Mackintosh, talking to me about the River Avon...

Linda Scott: From horses to politics via catering

Editor

May 14, 20192 min read

Linda Scott: From horses to politics via catering

“You need to choose, Linda, is it university or the horses?” “For me it was a no-brainer; I went with the horses,” says Linda Scott, CEO...