Editing Uphall (section)

==History==
Uphall was historically a small settlement known as Wester Strathbrock (from the Gaelic "Srath Bhroc" meaning valley of the badgers), with its neighbour Broxburn being named Easter Strathbrock.<ref name=Strathbrock>{{cite book |title=Strathbrock or the History and Antiquities of the Parish of Uphall |url=https://www.scottishshale.co.uk/DigitalAssets/pdf/LVSAV/LVSAV2016.090.pdf |author=Rev. James Primrose|location=Edinburgh |publisher=Elliot}}</ref>

The parish was centered around [[Strathbrock Castle]] (a [[Motte-and-bailey]] castle since demolished) and St Nicholas Church which were both built in the 12th century.<ref name=BU1>{{cite web |url=https://www.broxburnanduphall.com/index.php/history-records/village-origins |title=Village Origins |publisher=Broxburn and Uphall Community Website Trust|access-date=2020-12-27}}</ref><ref name="CastleCanmore">{{Canmore |num=49274 |desc=Strathbrock Castle |access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref> Until the late 18th century, Uphall was a small rural community but the [[Industrial Revolution|industrial revolution]] triggered growth as local mining activity increased.<ref name=BU1/> The largest growth was a direct result of the discovery and exploitation of local [[oil shale]] in the area, as well as across West Lothian generally. This triggered massive growth as many people moved to the area to gain employment in the oil shale mines and associated [[shale oil extraction|oil works]]. Surrounding villages expanded rapidly as rows of miners' cottages were erected to accommodate the influx of people, who relocated from places such as the [[Scottish Highlands]] and rural [[Ireland]]. This growth continued until the oil industry went into terminal decline between the 1920s and 1960s.<ref name=BU1/>

Post war industrial development at Greendykes and East Mains Industrial Estates, coupled with new employment throughout the West Lothian district, the new town of [[Livingston, West Lothian|Livingston]] and increased commuting to Edinburgh, continued to see the village grow into a larger settlement contiguous with Broxburn in the 20th century.