Town Hall and Carnegie Library, Stewart Avenue, Bo'ness

The Town Hall and Carnegie Library on Stewart Avenue is a municipal building in Bo'ness, a town on the Firth of Forth in central Scotland. Designed by the architect George Washington Browne, it opened in 1904 and is a Category B listed building. It remains one of the best-known civic landmarks in the town.

What is this building?

The complex combines two functions that once stood side by side: a town hall for civic gatherings and a public library. The library part was made possible by a donation from Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish-American industrialist who funded libraries across Britain and beyond. The town added money from its Common Good Fund, a long-standing local fund held for the benefit of the community.

Who designed it and when was it built?

The architect was George Washington Browne, a prominent Scottish designer of public buildings in the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Planning began around 1901-02, and the building was completed in 1904. Its cost is usually given as about £12,000. The official opening took place on 14 September 1904 and was performed by Hew Morrison, the City Librarian of Edinburgh, a fitting guest for the opening of a new public library.

Why is it listed?

Historic Environment Scotland designated the building Category B in November 1980. The listing covers the Town Hall and former Carnegie Library together with its boundary walls and gatepiers, so the setting of the building is protected along with the main structure. It also lies within the School Brae Area of Townscape Character, a local designation for a part of town whose overall appearance is considered worth preserving.

What happened to the library?

The word "former" in the listing tells part of the story. In 1980 the public library moved out to an early 18th-century building on Scotland Street. After that, the Stewart Avenue building was used mainly as a venue for local events, while the hall continued to serve as a community space.

Where is it and how do you find it?

The building stands on Stewart Avenue, close to Glebe Park, at roughly 56.0158 N, 3.6080 W. It is within easy walking distance of the centre of Bo'ness, so it fits naturally into a stroll through the town.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside? The building is used as a hall for local events, so access depends on what is being held. Check with the local council or event organisers beforehand.

Is it still a library? No. The public library left in 1980 and now operates from a separate historic building on Scotland Street.

Who paid for it? Andrew Carnegie funded the library part, and the town contributed from its Common Good Fund.

How old is it? It opened in September 1904, so it is well over a century old.

Is it protected? Yes. It has been a Category B listed building since 1980, including its boundary walls and gatepiers.

Who was the architect? George Washington Browne.

For visitors interested in Scottish civic architecture or the Carnegie library programme, the building is a clear local example of how a small industrial town marked a new public institution in the early 20th century.