Borrowstounness, commonly known as Bo'ness (/boʊˈnɛs/ boh-NESS), is a town and former burgh and seaport on the south bank of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

Until the 20th century, Bo'ness was the site of various industrial activities, including coal mining, saltmaking and pottery production.

With its location beside the Forth, the town and its harbour grew in importance in the Industrial Revolution and later continued to grow into the Victorian era.

Since the late 20th century, deindustrialisation has changed the nature of the town, with the coal mine closing in 1982 and the waterfront area now being primarily used for leisure purposes.

The Antonine Wall was named as an extension to the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2007.

A Roman fort called Veluniate, long since lost to history, once stood on the site now occupied by the grounds of Carriden House.

Plans currently exist for the regeneration of the docks area including reopening the port as a marina though these are on hold indefinitely.

[11] Shipowning and maritime businesses in the town is evidenced by the ownership of Kinneil, a ship owned by the Lovart Company of Bo’ness, that later sank in a collision off Denmark.

[13] A large Customs House for the harbour was completed in 1880 on Union Street and still stands today as private dwellings.

The town was also home to several sizable potteries,[14] one product being the black 'wally dugs'[15] which sat in pairs over many fireplaces.

[16] Kinneil Colliery was a large coal mine on the western edge of the town, that at its peak employed over 1,200 people.

[22] On a high spring tide the ship destined to be broken up would be manoeuvred to the far (north) side of the river and then steamed across with all speed to drive her as far as possible up the beach.

A fo’c’stle crew would lower the ship's anchors as soon as she came to rest to stop her sliding back into the river.

[33] Bo'ness is now primarily a commuter town, with many of its residents travelling to work in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Falkirk.

Present-day attractions in the town include the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, the Birkhill Fireclay Mine and the local motor museum.

Kinneil House, built by the powerful Hamilton family in the 15th century, lies on the western edge of the town.

Bo'ness is also home to the recently refurbished Hippodrome Cinema, which is the oldest picture house in Scotland.

[36][37] The town also has a commemorative clock and lantern, erected in 1985 through donations from the Linlithgow and Bo'ness Rotary Club.

[38] The current Bo'ness library is in a restored early 18th century building (previously the West Pier Tavern) on Scotland Street.

Jim Smellie was 11 times Scottish Cycling Champion, and some of the trophies collected over the years can be viewed at Kinneil House Museum.

Hillclimb events, including the first ever round of the British Hill Climb Championship and several thereafter,[48] were held on a course on the Kinneil estate most years from 1932 until 1966.