Kinneil - James Watt's workshop

Located west of Bo'ness, Kinneil House is the heart of the Kinneil Estate. This imposing mansion dates back to the 16th century. The house was saved from demolition in 1936 when 16th century wall paintings were discovered.

Towards the end of the 13th century, the future King Robert I granted the lands in what was then West Lothian to Walter fitz Gilbert, the oldest known ancestor of the Hamilton clan. After James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran was appointed regent for the underage Queen Mary Stuart, he had Kinneil House expanded around 1550. In the course of the conflicts following the queen's fall, James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton had the building attacked and large parts of it blown up with gunpowder.

Kinneil House received its current appearance when Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton had extensive renovations and additions made between 1677 and 1688 to create a seat for the House of Hamilton.

In the late 18th century, Dr John Roebuck, founder of the Carron Iron Works lived at Kinneil House, during which time the engineer James Watt worked at perfecting his steam engine, in this cottage adjacent to the house.