Almond Valley – Shale Oil Museum 2024

The main museum tells the story of Scotland's shale oil industry, and how it shaped the life of West Lothian for almost a century. Discover fossils of strange creatures that lived when oil shale was formed, or venture down a mine tunnel to see how shale was mined. You'll find big machines, delicate models, exquisite oil lamps, and a huge variety of other objects that illustrate how shale oil was made, and used. Elsewhere there are relics of other local heavy industries and displays that explore many other aspects of local life. The narrow gauge railway, its carriages converted from old wagons, is hauled by an old diesel locomotive that spent its working life in an explosives factory. The classic Leyland tractor & trailer ride takes you on a trip around the outlying fields and allows you to sit back and enjoy.