Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire
| Alexandria | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Am Magh Leamhna | |
| Scots: The Vale | |
 Smollett Fountain, Alexandria |
|
  Alexandria |
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| Population | 13,444 (2001 UK Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | NS3980 |
| Council area | West Dunbartonshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ALEXANDRIA |
| Postcode district | G83 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | West Dunbartonshire |
| Scottish Parliament | Dumbarton |
Coordinates: 55°59′N 4°35′W / 55.98°N 04.58°W
Alexandria (Scots: The Vale,[1] Scottish Gaelic: Am Magh Leamhna[1]) is a town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. The town is situated on the River Leven, four miles (6 km) north-west of Dumbarton.
Demographics
In 2001, the population of the town was 13,444. It is the largest town in the Vale of Leven, the others being Balloch, Bonhill, Jamestown and Renton; their combined population is over 20,000.
Economy
The town's traditional industries, most importantly cotton manufacturing, bleaching and printing, have been phased out. The town was redeveloped in the 1970s with a new town centre layout and traffic system. Local landmarks include Christie Park, and the Fountain in the town centre. Lomond Galleries on North Main Street is a former car factory with an impressive dome and an even more impressive marble entrance hall and staircase. It was originally built in 1906 as the Argyll Motor Works, for Argyll Motors Ltd. A carving above the entrance shows one of the company's cars. After the car production ceased in 1914 it was used by the Admiralty for the manufacture of torpedoes, which were test-fired in Loch Long, and in the early 1970s was the scene of the Plessey sit-in.[2]
Transport
Alexandria sits on the former A82 main road between Glasgow and Loch Lomond. There are regular bus services on the route and the town has a railway station on the rail line between Balloch and Glasgow Queen Street.
The town is reputed to be the only UK town with a railway station and a pub in the middle of a roundabout. A. J. Cronin's uncle owned a pub in Bridge Street. Alexandria Library is located on Gilmour Street.[3]
Sport
The town is home to Vale of Leven football club, who play at Millburn Park. The club were a dominant force in early Scottish football history, winning the Scottish Cup in 1877, 1878 and 1879, and were founder members of the Scottish Football League.
References
- 1 2 List of railway station names in English, Scots and Gaelic
- ↑ "Argyll Works". West Dunbartonshire Council. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ↑ "Alexandria Library". West Dunbartonshire Council. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
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