Gavieside village

Built to serve Gavieside Paraffin Oil Works, construction of which began in 1863, the village was also known as "Fells Rows" after the first proprietors of the West Calder Oil Company. On failure of that company in 1878, the works were put up for sale along with "school house, manager's house and workman's dwellings" (Scotsman 15-05-1878). The site and houses were bought by Young's Paraffin Light & Mineral Oil Company. Reading rooms were opened in 1906 and a new school to the east of the village constructed in 1906.

Conditions were described in evidence presented to the Royal Commission on housing conditions in 1914:

" There are 8 single and 84 double houses, 44 of which are back to back. Many of the houses are below the level of the road, and rents range from 1/- to 2/3 per week. There are no coal cellars, wash-houses or sculleries. A few stand-pipes supply the water. The refuse is removed weekly. Dry privies of a kind exist. These houses are of a very poor type, and ought to be condemned. Houses are scarce."

Maps show blocks of various housing types, set end-to-end alongside the road. Two blocks appear to have external stairs typical of two storey buildings. The village was demolished in the 1940's, however the school continued to be used by primary children until 1948 and as a nursery school until 1961.