Schools in West Lothian and Fife

[ByWanderingBluebell]

We’re planning a move to Scotland and need to be commutable distance to Bathgate. We’re visiting next month to view areas as we have a long list of options (Linlithgow, Bo’ness, Queensferry, Dalgety Bay, Burnitsland, Aberdour to start with).

We have 3 kids with my eldest a couple of years away from secondary school so I’m really wanting advice on the secondary schools and any schools or areas to avoid! It would be great to know about schools that don’t just focus on sport (which is a problem where we live now!) , my son is musical and loves art. Thank you for any help!

Look at Dunfermline High School, fantastic school. Burntisland and Aberdour might be a bit out of the way for your commute.

Thank you , we’re going to test the commute when we visit. My husband works nights so wouldn’t be in rush hour, although I do want to be able to get to Edinburgh easily

It's still a fair trek, some twisty roads that aren't great in the winter. Personally I wouldn't go any further east than Dunfermline, but I'm used to a ridiculously short 'commute'. Also if Burntisland, you'd fall into the catchment for Kirkcaldy high schools, which I'd personally avoid (purely my opinion).

Linlithgow Academy is one of the top rated state schools in the county. However property there is at a premium.
Personally I wouldn't want to commute Fife to Bathgate, so I'd be looking at West Lothian.

Thank you so much, super helpful. What about further south like Lanark or Carluke. Seen some nice houses and both seem to have high schools. I also really like the look of Queensferry which has a high school doesn’t it?

South Queensferry does, North Queensferry on the Fife side doesn't