Stairlifts Livingston – West Lothian Stairlifts

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Livingston, West Lothian


Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Livingston, West Lothian. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0131 242 0046  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Livingston – Stairlifts West Lothian

Livingston in West Lothian is less than 17 miles west of Edinburgh and just over 33 east of Glasgow.  It’s no accident that Livingston – a new town – is at such close proximity to these two big cities.  It was originally built as an overspill town for Glasgow’s ever increasing population in the early 1960’s.  Prior to that all that was here was a collection of villages.

Livingston Village was at the centre but the new conurbation also included Bellsquarry and Livingston Station.  The development of the new town has brought several ‘districts’ including Craigshill, the first region of the new building, Howden, Ladywell, Deans etc.  Livingston was the fourth of five new towns to be built.  The others are East Kilbride, Glenrothes, Cumbernauld and Irvine.

Access all floors
The retired population of Livingston is just over 10,000 and a small percentage of this group – about 275 – own stairlifts.  As suppliers of stairlifts for about 15 years, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts know that there is nothing worse than losing your mobility and of course, your independence.  A stairlift means that you can retain it and make your journeys up and down the stairs at home not only easier but also safer.

We can advise on the best stairlift for you – straight, curved or platform – from all UK manufacturers and offer them at fair and unbiased prices.  If you would like more information, why not called our local office on

0131 242 0046 .

Shale Oil
Livingston Village is now close to the heart of the new town of Livingston.  Originally the village was at the centre of the shale oil industry in the area.  It was the first oil boom in the world in the 1840’s!  The oil was extracted from the shale, a mixture of mud and clay minerals including quartz and calzite.  The oil was produced by converting the shale by several processes to form a synthetic oil; its main uses were as a fuel and as lamp oil.

Whilst the production of this oil thrived during the 19th century, as liquid oil reserves were discovered around the world, its production was reduced.

All that remains of the original village are a few houses, two churches, a school and the bings – hills of the spoils of the shale mining.

Industry in Livingston now is mainly from technology including BSkyB, Motorola, NEC and pharmaceutical companies moving there.

Livingston FC
One thing Livingston can boast is a professional football team.  Livingston FC affectionately known as ‘Livi’, ‘the Black and Ambers’ and ‘The Lions’ were formed as late as 1995.  Currently there are three ‘local’ lads playing in their first team – Darren Jamieson, Callum Fordyce and Marc McNulty.  Another five are almost local, coming from Edinburgh – Andrew McNeil, Craig, Barr, Paul Watson, Jack Beaumont and Liam Fox.  They play at Almondvale Stadium.

Linlithgow Palace
Less than 10 miles north of Livingston is Linlithgow Palace, the royal Palace of the Stewarts.  Today it is in ruins but its original elegance was a stopping off point between Edinburgh and Stirling Castles for travelling royalty.

Source:Wikipedia Stefan2901

Today visitors can still see some of its original beauty in its carvings on the tiered ‘wedding cake’ fountain at the centre of the courtyard.  Also the carved angel musicians in the chapel and the Oriels or windows that project from what was once the royal bedchambers.  The Great Hall and its large fireplace are still mostly intact too.

Annet House, Linlithgow
Annet House houses a museum which has lots of information about Linlithgow’s connections with Scottish Royalty and the town’s history.  In the garden there is a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots who was born in Linlithgow Palace.

The museum tells of the many trades found in the town in the past, linen, leather-working, shoemaking and distilling.

Source:Tom Sargent-Geograph.org.uk

A strange exhibit is the life story of Canadian actor James Doohan.  He played Scotty in the Startrek adventures; his character will be born in the town in 2222!

House of Binns
Nearby you’ll find the House of Binns, the family home of one of the oldest Scottish families, the Dalyells.  They have lived here for almost 400 years.  The house itself has many treasures amongst its furniture and decoration.  If your take a woodland walk in the grounds, you come to an amazing panoramic view of the Firth of Forth.

Source:Flickr.com

Bathgate
The town of Bathgate just 7 or so miles north west of Livingston is home to the Bennie Museum.  The museum tells the story of the town right back to the 12th century including the Stewart Dynasty, the first man knighted for services to medicine, Sir James Young Simpson and James Young who found Shale oil in the mid 19th century.  He became known as James ‘Paraffin’ Young.

Source:BennieMuseum

Did you know?
Robert Taylor working for Livingston Development Council claimed to have seen a UFO in a forest clearing.  He became unconscious as two small ‘spheres’ tried to lift and move him.  When he woke up he couldn’t speak and the UFO was gone.  The incident was reported to the police but the nature of the ‘attack’ was never solved.

Famous people from the area
Livingston must have the right air to breed footballers.  As well as those mentioned above, it is the birthplace of Paul Dickov, player manager at Oldham Athletic and Gary Wales (Raith Rovers).  Also Scot Arfield (Huddersfield Town), Danny Wilson (Liverpool), retired player and manager Jimmy Scoular.  Tommy Walker who was the most successful hearts Manager and David Robertson (St Johnstone).  Also Mark Burchill who grew up in Livingston.

Source:Steindy

·         David Tennant who played the 10th Dr Who was born in nearby Bathgate



·         Actor, author, stuntman, journalist Ian Colquhoun was born in Livingston.  He lost both legs in an arson attack in Ireland in 2002.  He wears prosthetic legs and often lectures to physiotherapy students about his condition in a voluntary capacity

·         Robin Cook was MP for Livingston until his death in 2005

·         Robert II of Scotland was the first King in the Stewart line whose home was in Linlithgow Palace; he was the son of Walter Stewart and Mary Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce

·         Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow; Mary’s son James VI also became James I of England


You might not be famous but we’re sure you’d like to be assured of your safety when climbing the stairs.  We can assess you and your staircase for the most suitable kind of stairlift.  We even offer reconditioned ones.  Once the most suitable lift is identified, we can have it installed in your home in less than half a day.  We also offer 24/7 after sales care too so that you are never left stranded!

If we can be of more help, please give us a call on 0131 242 0046 .

Stairlifts Edinburgh – Stairlifts Lothian, Scotland

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Edinburgh, Scotland. 



Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Edinburgh, Scotland . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0131 242 0046  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Edinburgh

Edinburgh in Lothian is Scotland’s capital and their seat of parliament.  The city’s skyline is dominated by its Castle which sits at one end of The Royal Mile.  At the opposite end is Holyrood Palace, the official seat of the Royal Family in Scotland.  The Queen takes up residence here for one week every year at the beginning of summer to carry out a number of official duties.


Holyrood Palace was founded by the Scottish King David I in the 12th century and it has remained the Royal residence of the monarchy of Scotland since that time.



Castle Comfort Stairlifts
You might not be royalty but you still deserve a carriage.  One to get you up and down those stairs that is.  Castle Comfort Stairlifts know that there are already well over 2,000 Edinburgh citizens who own one of these ‘carriages’ to make stairs safer and easier.

We can advise and supply stairlifts from all UK manufacturers.  It’s all a matter of the one that suits you and your staircase best.  Straight, curved and even platform can make that trip upstairs much easier.

If you’d like to know more about which one is right for you then please give our local office a call on  0131 242 0046 .

Compare prices on our website and consider your options.  We can advise on grants or 0% finance too.

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle sits on top of a volcanic rock and has a long history which dates back to at least the 9th century.  It has been involved in many conflicts over the centuries and still has a military presence.  It is now owned by Historic Scotland and probably best known for hosting Edinburgh’s annual Military Tattoo since 1950.  This colourful event is performed every evening and twice on Saturdays throughout August.

Source:Kim Traynor

Edinburgh Castle is the most visited paid for attraction in Scotland; it had 1.3 million visitors last year.  The oldest surviving building in Edinburgh is St Margaret’s Chapel within the Castle which dates back to the 12th century.  The Castle also houses Scotland’s National War Museum and various regimental museums.

The Royal Mile – a Scottish mile by all accounts – joins these two great historic buildings.  It is actually a series of streets, many of them cobbled, which run through the centre of Edinburgh’s Old Town.  Part way down is Parliament Square which was in front of the old Parliament buildings and law courts and St Giles Cathedral.



Edinburgh has 4,500 listed buildings and 40 conservation areas accounting for 23% of the buildings in the town and the same percentage of the population.  These are the highest ratios for any town in the UK.

New Town
Edinburgh’s New Town was planned and built in the 18th century.  The young architect James Craig won a competition with his plans for the New Town which was needed as the Medieval Edinburgh of Old Town was over crowded.  The new ordered grid system of roads and buildings perfectly fitted the period of Enlightenment.  The main street of New Town was George Street which runs parallel to Princes Street – now the main shopping street in Edinburgh - and Queen Street.  There are two squares which link these streets that still look very grand; the squares are St Andrew and Charlotte.  Famous architect Robert Adam designed Charlotte Square and his design influenced the architecture well into the 19th century.

Both Old and New Town are recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.

Enlightened
In the 18th century Edinburgh became known as the ‘Athens of the North’.  It was right at the heart of The Enlightenment a movement led by the University of Edinburgh and its many well known scholars of the period.

The Edinburgh Festival
Every end of July to the beginning of September Edinburgh hosts the Edinburgh International Festival of which the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is part.

It attracts productions from around the world.  Also other festivals which happen during the same period and make Edinburgh’s streets buzz with visitors, performers and buskers.  In fact a trip down the Royal Mile during this time gives an interesting preview of many of the smaller shows.

It has spawned many other festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which permeates the city with productions by a huge amount of companies and performers in all sorts of venues.  There is also the Edinburgh Comedy Festival and the Book Festival.  Edinburgh also has an Art Festival, a Television Festival, a Music Festival, one focused on Jazz, a Children’s Theatre Festival and one on Science.  There is a Film Festival (now moved to June) too.

Hogmanay
Edinburgh is also known for its famous ‘street party’ on Princes Street and the Royal Mile every Hogmanay when people come from all over the world to ‘see in the New Year’ Scots’ style.  This celebration lasts around 4 days with processions, fireworks and live bands and is a ‘ticket only’ event.

Sporting Edinburgh
Edinburgh is also home to two professional football clubs: Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian.  Locals call the teams Hibs and Hearts.

It is also the home to the Murrayfield Stadium, the home of Scotland’s National Rugby Union team.  The stadium is owned by Scottish Rugby Union.  Edinburgh’s team play at Murrayfield too.  It has the largest capacity of any stadium in Scotland, seating 67,000.

Famous people linked to Edinburgh
As with any capital city the list of famous people connected to Edinburgh is almost endless.  We thought we’d just mention a few.

First of all a couple from fiction:
·         Miss Jean Brodie lived in Morningside and Muriel Spark the author was also born in Edinburgh

·         Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus lives in Marchmont and worked in the Edinburgh district of St Leonards

·         Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie is also from Edinburgh


·         J K Rowling started writing Harry Potter in an Edinburgh coffee shop

Source: Daniel Ogren

Other authors with connections include:
Sit Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Homes), Adam Smith (The Wealth of Nations), Rob Roy (Ivanhoe), Robert Louis Stephenson (Treasure Island), Kenneth Grahame (Wind in the Willows) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting)

Many scientists hail from or have connections with Edinburgh including:
James Clerk Maxwell (electromagnetism), Alexander Graham Bell (engineer and inventor of the telephone), Max Born (physicist and Nobel winner), Charles Darwin (Origin of the Species), David Hume (philosopher), the inventors of Dolly the sheep – Colin Maclaurin and Ian Wilmut

Actors and media personalities:
Sean Connery, Ronnie Corbett, Brian Cox, Kirsty Gallacher, Hannah Gordon, Ian Richardson and Ewen Bremner

Last but not least Greyfriars Bobby; this terrier showed complete devotion, guarding his master’s grave for 14 years in the 19th century.

Stairlifts for everyone
Remember if you are having difficulty with the stairs in your Edinburgh pile, let us help give you back your independence.  Once the stairlift that suits you and your home best is agreed, it can be supplied and fitted in half a day at most.  Then you’ll have the freedom of your home back.

We have a 24/7 after sales service too, so that you can rest assured that we can fix any breakdowns or problems in record time.

If you still have questions or would like to arrange for a stairlift to be fitted, please call our Edinburgh office on 0131 242 0046 .

Stairlifts Peebles – Stairlifts Scottish Borders

   
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Peebles, Scottish Borders



Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Peebles, Scottish Borders . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0131 242 0046  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Peebles – Stairlifts Scottish Borders

The town of Peebles in the Scottish Borders sits by the River Tweed, or more correctly between the River Tweed and Eddlestone Water in the triangle formed where the two rivers meet.  It’s an area of outstanding beauty on a river renowned for its salmon fishing.  In fact a famous motto linked to Peebles is ‘against the stream they multiply’.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Peebles has been a market town since the reign of David I of Scotland in the 12th century.  It played a key part in the Scottish Borders’ woollen industry for many years right up until the 1960’s.  Today just one woollen mill remains.

Although the woollen industry used to employ many of the people of Peebles, today most of them commute to nearby Edinburgh for work.

Tourism
Peebles is also a popular destination for tourists keen to fish the river, see the natural beauty of the area and Peebles’ many historic buildings.  In the 19th century it was tourists of a different kind who frequented Peebles – health tourists who visited for the ‘waters’.  One of the survivors of this period is the Peebles Hydro Hotel.

Historic Peebles
The oldest building in the town is St Andrew’s Church tower also known as Peebles Parish Church.  The church dated 1195 was caught in the destruction of abbeys and priories in Henry VIII’s reformation after his quarrel with the Catholic Church and only the tower survived.

Henry VIII and stairlifts
Of course Henry VIII is claimed by David Starkey to be the inventor of the stairlift.  His servants had to move him in a sort of block and tackle contraption to manoeuvre stairs after he damaged his leg and became obese.

Fortunately stairlifts are more refined these days and you can sit on a chair and be electronically ferried to the top of your stairs and down again in comfort and safety.  Castle Comfort Stair Lifts have been supplying stairlifts in the area for 15 years and can advise you on the best stairlift for you and your staircase.  We supply all the major makes so can truly offer you an unbiased opinion.

Call us for appointment to see how we can help you on  0131 242 0046 .

More about historic Peebles
Neidpath Castle can be found about 1 mile out of Peebles on a bend in the River Tweed.  The current castle was built by the Hay family in the 14th century although ownership passed to the Douglas family, specifically the 1st Duke of Queensbury, in the 17th century.  Later in the 19th century the castle became the family home of the Earl of Wemyss and it is still home to his descendants.



James VI stayed here; it held out against Cromwell for the longest period of any south of the River Forth; William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scott visited the Castle.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

The castle is said to be haunted by the daughter of the William Douglas, Earl of March.  Her name is Jean Douglas who Sir Walter Scott referred to as ‘the Maid of Neidpath’ in a poem.
Mercat Cross - This is the market cross that can be found in Eastgate; symbolically it marks the centre of town.  It was where Royal proclamations were announced and where criminals were punished.  Now a traditional market day is held every Tuesday as well as several annual fairs.


Cross Keys Hotel was built in the 17th century as the town house of Walter Williamson of Cardrona.  Later when it became the Cleikum Inn it was another favourite of Sir Walter Scott.  Two later hotels, the County (18th century) and the Tontine (19th century) have made their marks on Peebles.  The façade of County Hotel hides an older interior with a thick walled barrel-vaulted room or bastel house.  This was originally used as a refuge.

The Tontine Hotel was financed on the ‘tontine principle’; this is an early form of life annuity leaving the last living person of the original subscribers as sole heir.  It is well known for its musician’s gallery around the dining room, a large bow window overlooking the Tweed and an Adams fireplace.

Chambers Institution was built in the 16th century.  Originally as it belonged to the Church it was the Dean’s house but later became the property of the Douglas family.  It became known as the Queensbury Lodging and was the birthplace of the 4th Duke of Queensbury.

After much modernisation Dr William Chambers gave the building to the town although no mention of how he acquired it is documented.  It became the town library – a fitting association with its gifter – until such time as it became the civic centre and town council meeting place.  Now a ‘secret room’ is on show exhibiting a 16 metre long plaster reproduction of the Elgin Marbles and a copy of the Triumph of Alexander by Danish sculptor Bertil Thorvaldsen all donated by William Chambers.

The 19th century Sherriff Court House was originally the Country Rooms for the town’s prison.  The old cells are still part of the house which was built on a steep mound.

The River Tweed is one of Scotland’s major salmon fishing rivers.  A catch of approximately 10,000 fish are line caught on the 90+ miles of the Tweed every year.

Tweed Bridge was originally built in stone in the 14th century although a wooden bridge had stood prior to this.  It was an important road in the 17 – 19 centuries leading to the Highlands in the north and as far south as the Midlands.

The Beltane Festival and Common Riding
This annual fair originally celebrated the return of summer with lighting fires to burn winter bedding and flooring!  Now it has amalgamated with a Common Riding, similar to the one in Hawick.  Town’s folk ride through the town on horseback to commemorate when local men risked their lives to save the town.  The Beltane Queen is also crowned at this festival and The Cornet appointed who will represent the town for a year; the Beltane Festival is held in June every year.

Notable folk from Peebles
Traditionally, a person born in Peebles was called a gutterbluid.
·         1st Baron Tweedsmuir better known as author John Buchan was born in nearby Broughton.  Although Buchan penned more than 100 books, his most famous was The Thirty Nine Steps.  He also served as Governor General of Canada.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         William and Robert Chambers were born in Peebles; they later founded the Chambers publishing firm in Edinburgh still famous for their dictionaries.  The house where they were born can still be seen in Biggiesknowe in the town.
·         Poet and philosopher John Veitch was also born in Peebles.
·         Folk singer and songwriter Eric Bogle was born in Peebles.  He now lives and works mainly in Australia.
·         Record producer Callum James Greens grew up here.

Stairlifts for Peebles
Despite all the ancient monuments and peoples from yesteryear connected with Peebles, Castle Comfort Stairlifts are keen that today’s residents should have any necessary help with mobility.

The choice of stairlift or recommendation may differ to meet your particular needs, budget and of course your staircase.  We can advise and get you quotes to compare so that you make an informed decision.  These prices will vary depending on the type of stairlift chosen i.e. straight, curved or platform or of course reconditioned.

See what some of our customers have said and check out financial help on our blog about grants and 0% finance.

If you’re still undecided you can see what other customers have said and of course call us to talk things through on  0131 242 0046 .

Stairlifts Galashiels – Scottish Borders Stairlifts

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Galashiels, Scottish Borders



Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Galashiels, Scottish Borders. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0131 242 0046  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Galashiels – Stairlifts Scottish Borders

Galashiels sits right in the centre of the Scottish Borders county.  Its name means dwellings next to Gala – Gala Water is a river.  Galashiels’ history dates back to at least the Iron Age as the local hill fort in the area of Torweedlee is testament.  A later Broch at the same site – a sort of hollow dry stone tower – was destroyed by the Romans.  So although the settlement was there from hundreds of years earlier, it was first mentioned by a similar name in the 12th century during the reign of Scotland’s King David I.

Stairlifts
Castle Comfort Stairlifts make no claims to an early existence or being equipped with the craft of dry stone walling, but we do have a great knowledge of stairlifts!  Amongst a retired population of around 500 in Galashiels we know that about 2.6 of them have already regained their independence and get up and down their stairs safely using a stairlift.

If you or someone you care about needs assistance getting up and down the stairs, no matter what their age, we can help.  We supply and install a wide range of stairlifts to accommodate different staircases at very fair and competitive prices.  If you’d like to know more, take a look around our website and blog or just give our local office a call on  0131 242 0046 .

Textiles and tartans
Galashiels has long been the heart of the textile industry, since medieval times in fact.  Whilst the industry started modestly with just three fulling mills, this had increased to 35 by the early 19th century.

Realising that transport costs would always make their textiles more expensive than those produced in Yorkshire for instance, Galashiels concentrated on producing superior quality textiles.  By the end of the 19th century Galashiels had grown in size due to this industry and its population had reached 18,000 – more than it is today!

Source:Wikimedia Commons

By the mid 19th century the railway had arrived which halved the cost of transport to Edinburgh and also brought raw material (wool) from foreign parts too.

Amongst fine cashmeres and great knitwear, the other big production was tartans.  Tartans were initially the symbol of different regions in Scotland and the signature of different weavers.  The first one, the Falkirk Tartan, dates back to the 3rd century.  The Falkirk Tartan was a simple check pattern and is thought to pre-date the Roman occupation of the British Isles.

Tartan as we know it now, seems to date from 16th century.  It was not until the 19th century that tartans became linked to different ‘clans’ or families.  Initially they were used to recognise friend or enemy in battle.  At the beginning of the 19th century the Highland Society of London called on every clan chief to register their tartan so that they could be authenticated.

There are thought to be between 3,500 – 7,000 different tartans though some of these are tartans allocated to individuals and even countries.  Around 150 new tartans are created every year.

Tartans can be modern, ancient, weathered or muted in colour and it is these different ways of presenting them that makes the numbers so vast.

Soor Plooms
The coat of arms for Galashiels shows two foxes stretching to eat the plums from a tree with the motto Soor Plooms (Scottish pronunciation).  This references an incident when the soldiers of an English raiding party picking wild plums were caught and killed by the Scots.



Not only is this event remembered on Galashiels Coat of Arms, but also commemorated in a local sweet delicacy also called Soor Plooms.  The bright green sweets can be bought in the town.

Braw Lads Gathering
Galashiels was declared a Burgh or town in 1599.  Ever since, the town has celebrated this with an annual Braw Lads Gathering every July when horseback riders ride through the town.  There are many other celebrations including a funfair, music and competitions etc.  The event was immortalised in a poem by Scotland’s own Rabbie Burns.

Old Gala House
This house was built by the Pringle family of fine knitwear fame.  The house has an interesting history all of which can now be discovered by visitors.  At one time it was a school and thought to be the inspiration for the St Trinian books and films.



Notable people
·         Robert the Bruce gave nearby Ettrick Forest to Sir James Douglas in the 14th century.  He later became the Earl of Douglas and himself granted the Pringle family the lairdship of Galashiels.  They went on to build Old Gala House

·         Rabbie Burns wrote two poems about Galashiels – Braw Lads and Sae Fair Her Hair

·         Sir Walter Scott the famous poet made his home at Abbotsford House just across the River Tweed.  Today Abbotsford House remains as a monument to Scott where his library still contains over 9,000 rare volumes.  Visitors can see this collection as well as other rooms in the house.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Football players Danny Galbraith, playing for Hibernian and John Collins, Director of Football at Livingston both come from here

·         Three notable rugby union players also claim Galashiels as home: Gregor Townsend, Bryan Redpath and Craig Chalmers.  Andrew Murdison, a rugby League player of the 1920’s was born nearby at Lowood

·         Judith Miller was born in Galashiels; she is an antiques collector and expert who has regularly appeared on Antiques Roadshow

 Any Galashiels residents who consider themselves antiques need not feel that age or that inability is getting the better of them!  Castle Comfort Stairlifts can help with straight, curved and even reconditioned stairlifts to make all floors of your home accessible.

We can assess which chairlift is right for you, supply from a range manufactured in the UK; we can also fit them in less than half a day.  Our 24/7 after sales service will ensure you stay mobile too.  We can also advise on grants and point you in the direction of 0% finance so that you don’t have to delay your purchase.

Of course if you still have questions or just want to get on with it, please give our local office a call on  0131 242 0046 .

Stairlifts Hawick – Stairlifts Scottish Borders

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Hawick, Scottish Borders


Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Hawick, Scottish Borders . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0131 242 0046  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Hawick

Source:Wikipedia

Best known for its rugby team and the production of fine knitwear, there has been a place called Hawick in the Scottish Borders since the year 600.  Its name is thought to be derived from the Anglo Saxon meaning a Hawthorn hedge around a settlement.  By 1100 a Norman family called Lovel started to build a motte and bailey castle starting with the motte to which they later added the bailey.

Reaching the top of your castle
You don’t need to be living in a motte and bailey for Castle Comfort Stairlifts to help you get to the top!  We can help you navigate the stairs in more modest abodes.  We’ve been working in the area for nearly 15 years and already estimate that around 75 people have been helped by installing a stairlift in their own ‘castle’.  Take a look at our site to see our scrolling counter which records every time a stairlift is installed.



If you think this would help you, take a look around our site at the stairlifts we can supply and install.  We have a range from all UK manufacturers which include straight, curved and platform stairlifts.  We even supply bariatric stairlifts which will take weights of up to 31 stone.  Please call our local office for more information on  0131 242 0046 .

More about Hawick’s history
Following the Lovel’s Castle build, nearby St Mary’s Church was dedicated in the 13th century.  The tiny village didn’t really begin to grow until after a neighbouring dignitary who was influential in the area issued a charter declaring that Hawick could hold markets.


Prior to the 18th century the village had 4 gates or ports by which to enter which are still marked by plaques and show how small the village was.  From the 18th century Hawick began to grow with the introduction of the hosiery and knitwear trade.  The now internationally famous Pringles was founded at the beginning of the 19th century and with the arrival of the railway Hawick really began to expand.  In fact by the end of the 19th century Hawick had a larger population than it has now!

Hawick Cashmere
Hawick is still known for its knitwear production being famous for some of the finest cashmere there is.  Pringles of Scotland still manufactures from Hawick.  Its luxury knitwear is worn by many of the rich and famous like Madonna, David Beckham, Nicole Kidman and Claudia Schiffer.  Pringles have outlets in London, New York, Milan, Taiwan and Japan.

Lyle and Scott also originate from Hawick; the brand is now famous for its golfing sweaters which have been worn by some top golfing names as well as other celebrities.

Historic buildings
Not much remains of the old castle but St Mary’s Church is still standing and Hawick boasts an amazing Scottish Baronial style town hall.  Here the street is now so narrow you can almost reach from one side to the other and touch both North and South Port plaques.  Tower Mill is now the home of tourist Information but the mill water wheel is still preserved and can be seen turning through a glass floor inside the tower.

A little outside the town at Wilton Park Lodge you’ll find Hawick Museum which shows off Hawick’s history.  Being the home town of several motor cycle racers, it also houses the ‘Hizzy display’ in memory of Steve Hislop who was born in the town.  Hislop was the Isle of Man TT champion eleven times.  He died prematurely at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash.

Common Riding
Every June several hundred ‘riders’ on horseback gather and ride through and around the boundaries of the town.  This is to commemorate fighting off English troops who came to raid the town in 1514 when all of the men of the village had been killed off in the previous year’s Battle of Flodden.  The young boys of the village fought the invading troops off even taking their flag.

Hawick Rugby FC
Hawick Rugby FC is semi-professional and plays in the Borders League.  They are famous the world-over and are proud to have produced 58 players who have also played for Scotland.  The club has also won the Scottish Championship 12 times.

Famous players include retired Jim Fenwick & Colin Deans who both earned 52 Scotland caps during their careers, Cameron Murray and up and coming Stuart Hogg.

Other famous people from Hawick
·         Yachtsman Sir Chay Blyth who comes from Hawick was the first person to sail westwards around the world


·         Home too of Stuart Easton, motor cycle racer
·         Another local motor cycle champion was Jimmie Guthrie; Guthrie won 6 Isle of Man TT Championships.  He died aged 40 whilst competing in the German Grand Prix in 1937
·         It was Bill McClaren, Rugby Union commentator’s home town too; he was known as the ‘Voice of Rugby’

·         Artist Anne Redpath, daughter of a tweed designer, grew up in Hawick

·         Three composer came from Hawick: Francis George Scott, Brian Bonsor and Sir John Blackwood McEwen

If you call Hawick home too and are looking to regain your independence, look no further.  Castle Comfort Stairlifts will be happy to help.

We can assess which stairlift would be best for you and supply and install it for you.  Our after sales service is second to none and we are contactable 24/7.  If the cost of a stairlift concerns you, we can offer reconditioned ones or point you in the direction of grants or 0% finance deals.  There’s also our £50 voucher – see top of page – which as a true Scot you’ll be relieved to know can be used towards the cost of a stairlift.

If you are still unsure or have any questions please give our local office a call on  0131 242 0046 .

Stairlifts Stranraer – Stairlifts Dumfries & Galloway

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Stranrear



Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Stranrear - Dumfries and Galloway. And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0141 278 3929  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Stranraer

Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway is the county’s second largest town and sits on the shores of Loch Ryan on a narrow strip of land which joins the Rhins of Galloway – a hammer-head shaped peninsula  - to the mainland in the south west of the county and of Scotland.  At the southern most tip of this peninsula is the Mull of Galloway.

People from Stranraer are known as Stranraerarians – a bit of a mouthful!

This small town has a retired population of around 2,000 – 2,500 of whom about 60 own stairlifts.  Here at Castle Comfort Stair Lifts we’ve been supplying this southern tip of Scotland with this helpful mode of indoor transport for almost 15 years.

We have a wide range from all UK manufacturers and something to suit everyone and every type of staircase.  We will happily come to your home and advise you which one is best for you: straight, curved or platform; we even have bariatric lifts which will accommodate weights of up to 31 stone.

If you are thinking about getting a stairlift or think one will greatly help your mobility and independence, keep on reading.  Alternatively please give our local office a call on  0141 278 3929.

Link to Northern Ireland
Stranraer was known as the ferry port from Scotland to Northern Ireland, latterly to Belfast and earlier to Larne.  At the end of last year, Cairnyan on the opposite shore of Loch Ryan, took over this service.

Back in the 16th century, a military road connected Dumfries to Stranraer for easy access to Portpatrick on the straight ‘head’ of the ‘hammer’.  Portpatrick had many passenger ferries to Ireland and during the 18th/19th century acquired the nick name of Ireland’s Gretna Green.  It was popular for Irish couples to catch the daily ferry at Donaghadee over to Portpatrick to be married by a minister in the Church of Scotland!

Stranraer didn’t become a harbour until the 18th century.  It developed port status in the middle of the following century when it became the area’s most important port with the arrival of the railway.  Stranraer was the main ferry port for Ireland for 150 years.

During World War II, Stranraer was the centre for anti U-boat focus and defence.  Flying Boats operated out of the area as a means of defending the North Channel.  This made it safe for Britain’s commercial shipping most of which used the Channel on its way to the Clyde or the Mersey.

It was from Stranraer that Winston Churchill departed for the USA in a flying boat in June 1942.

A medieval tower house known as Stranraer Castle or the Castle of St John can be found in the centre of Stranraer.  It was built in 1500 and has been a home, a court, a prison, a military garrison and is now a museum.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

What is Stranraer known for?
Well it has a semi-professional football club, Stranraer FC which plays in the Scottish Third Division.  And also for a number of football players including Allan Jenkins born in the town and who played for Stranraer FC for part of his career; Keith Knox also born here, played for the local team and now manages them; another home-grown footballer is Kevin Kyle who started his professional career with Sunderland and now plays for Hearts of Midlothian and Scotland.  It was also home of Colin Calderwood professional player and manager.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Stranraer is also known for its strong cheese.  The Caledonian cheese Company is based in the town.

Source:Caledonian Cheese (Billy McCrorie) / CC BY-SA 2.0

Other famous people from Stranraer include:
·         Sir John Ross the 18th century Arctic explorer

·         Landscape gardener John Claudius Loudon

Source:Wikimedia Commons

·         Bridge builder Alexander McGaw probably most famous for building the base for the Statue of Liberty


Nearby landmarks of interest
Stranraer Museum was once the town hall; it was built in the 18th century and today holds exhibits about the polar explorers St John Ross and his nephew James Clark Ross.

Or you could follow the Loch Ryan coastal path which eventually meets up with the Ayrshire Coastal Path.  Loch Ryan’s coastline is particularly interesting as this is a sea loch.

The Mull of Galloway is the southern most tip of Scotland with a lighthouse which also claims that status.  It was built by Glaswegian engineer Robert Stevenson in the 19th century and is now automated.  An outbuilding has been converted into a visitor centre.  The Mull which means a rounded hill is now a nature reserve ensuring that the local flora and fauna are protected.

Nearby you’ll find the Logan Botanic Gardens with plants that would not normally survive outdoors in Scotland flourishing due to the mild climate from the North Atlantic Drift.  The gardens include a woodland garden, a walled garden and a terrace garden.  One of its real attractions is an avenue of Chusan Palms or tree ferns – Dicksonia antarctica.

Source:Wikimedia Commons

Castle Comfort Stair Lifts may not be able to boast any botanical attractions but we can sure make life easier for you.

Take a look at what others have said about our stairlifts or how the different stairlifts compare with one another – and of course what they cost.  Then if you’d like to know more, please get in contact with us.  We can measure up and have a stairlift fitted in your home within half a day.

Don’t be put off if you think you might need some help with finance, there are possibilities for grants or 0% finance as well as our £50 voucher which can go towards payment of your stairlift.  Of course if you need any more information, please contact our local office on  0141 278 3929 .

Stairlifts Gretna, Gretna Green and Lockerbie – Stairlifts Dumfries and Galloway

 
Click here to find new and reconditioned stairlifts in Gretna Green and Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway 


Castle Comfort Stairlifts offers top brand stairlifts, keen prices and fast installs for all those seeking stairlifts in Gretna Green and Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway . And all work comes with our no-quibble guarantees and famous customer service satisfaction.

Give us a call today on 0141 278 3929  If however, you are looking for fascinating facts about the area then feel free to read on.


Stairlifts Gretna, Gretna Green and Lockerbie – Stairlifts Dumfries and Galloway

There are two small towns in Dumfries and Galloway worth mentioning because of course, Castle Comfort Stair Lifts supplies and installs stairlifts all over the county.  In fact if you live in the area and are looking for advice, then we are the people to help.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts is a family business that understands how important mobility and independence are to our older population.  In the areas of Gretna and Lockerbie about 50 retired people already own stairlifts – we know because we keep count on our webpage.  See our scrolling counter at the bottom of our home page.

We supply stairlifts of all kinds to accommodate different staircases and needs.  We have a range of straight, curved and platform stairlifts from all of the UK’s major manufacturers.  We even have reconditioned ones if you’d prefer.  We are happy to come out and assess what you need.  Once you’ve taken the decision we can install within half a day and we provide an on-going 24/7 after sales service.

If you’re interested or would like to know more, please give your local office a call on  0141 278 3929 .

Weddings at Gretna Green
Gretna Green is historically the first village in Scotland across the border from England.  This was certainly true when following the old coaching route which travelled from London to Edinburgh.  Gretna is close by.

Because of laxer marriage laws in Scotland, Gretna Green was the place where many English couples wishing to get married eloped.  Now Gretna Green is as synonymous with weddings as Las Vegas!
The affiliation with runaway marriages began as long ago as 1753 when an Act of Parliament known as Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act was passed in England.  This act stated that both parties wishing to marry must be 21 and have parental consent.  The Act didn’t apply in Scotland where the age that boys and girls could marry was 14 and 12 respectively!  English couples who could not meet the English restraints, fled to Scotland and Gretna Green was the first place they came to across the border.

Source:Niki Odolphie

As Scottish law allowed for what were known as ‘irregular marriages’ when a declaration made in front of two witnesses, anyone had the authority to conduct the ceremony.  Popularly the Gretna Green Blacksmiths were often called on for this role and became known as ‘Anvil Priests’.

Now marrying couples in Scotland must be 16 but still do not need the consent of their parents; in England 16 is also the legal age for marriage but parental consent is needed.  Once couples turn 18 in England they too can marry without consent of their parents.

Tens of thousands of weddings were undertaken at Gretna’s two blacksmiths’ shops and various other commercial buildings like inns and smallholdings.  Today there are several dedicated venues including former churches and purpose built wedding chapels.  All services are now conducted over an iconic anvil!  About 5,000 marriage ceremonies are conducted here every year and like Vegas couples come from all over the world with guests in tow.

Who’s married at Gretna Green?
One celebrity who has managed to stay in the public eye had her second wedding there –ex Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona and taxi driver Mark Croft.  £101 million lottery winners Dave and Angela Dawes were married in a ceremony at Gretna Green last year.

In literature Wickham attempted to elope to Gretna Green with Elizabeth’s younger sister in Pride and Prejudice; in popular TV series a number of couples including Downton Abbey’s Lady Sybil Crawley and chauffeur Tom Branson who were stopped by Sybil’s sisters; characters in Eastenders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road have also eloped to Gretna Green.

Lockerbie and the tragic bombing
Heading North West out of Gretna Green on the A74 you reach the town of Lockerbie some 16 miles further on.  Lockerbie too has found unsought fame.  This small town is known globally because of the ‘Lockerbie bombing’.

The date 21 December in 1988 was when a Pan Am flight crashed after a bomb exploded on board.  Eleven residents of Lockerbie were killed when the plane came down a further 259 on the plane also died.  They came from 21 different countries.

Source:Eduard Mahmet

The flight was on course from Frankfurt via Heathrow Airport to JFK Airport in New York and onto Detroit.  The plane was a Boeing 747 and the attack was order by Colonel Gaddafi during the Libyan Civil War.  After years of investigation, al-Megrahi, an ex head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines was convicted of murder for the bombing of the Pan-Am flight.  Serving a life sentence he was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 due to terminal prostrate cancer.  He returned to Tripoli and died earlier this month (May 2012), three years after his release.

Something positive
The headquarters for the investigation of the bombing was conducted from Lockerbie’s Academy. Working with Syracuse University in New York who lost 35 students in the bombing, a scholarship has been set up from graduating students from Lockerbie Academy.  Two outstanding students each year spend an academic year at Syracuse University before beginning their university education in the UK.

Historic Lockerbie
Historically Lockerbie was a stopping point on the route from London to Glasgow; in the early 19th century a road was built from Carlisle to Glasgow running through Lockerbie.  This was followed by a railway line some years later improving Lockerbie’s existing sheep trading potential across the border.

A Georgian red-stone house, Lockerbie House is the most important historical building in Lockerbie probably because it owned most of the land and housing in the area.  Built and owned by the Douglas family with the title Marquis of Queensbury.  John Sholto Douglas founded the Amateur Athletics Club in 1866 and a year later the 12 rules of boxing matches were published and have always been known as ‘the Marquis of Queensbury Rules’.  This sizeable house is set in 78 acres of land and has 40 bedrooms.  The house is now owned by an outdoor pursuits company.

Castle Comfort Stairlifts can’t boast a history as long as the Marquis of Queensburys, we’ve been in operation for a mere 15 years in comparison.  But that’s long enough to know what a help a stairlift can be if you are finding your stairs a problem.  A stairlift is a definite aid to safety too.

If you think a stairlift could be the answer to your prayers please take a look at our very fair price structure.  If you need some assistance, there are grants available and of course 0% finance deals where obviously you pay no more than face value, but in instalments.  We also offer you a £50 voucher (see above) which you can use towards your purchase – every little helps eh?

If you are interested or still have questions, don’t hesitate to call us on  0141 278 3929 .

Happy Diamond Jubilee Your Majesty

Click on the red book below to see photo's of the Queen over the years in an interactive photo album.
I know this is from Leicester, but I think every city could collate something like this together to document their visits from the Royal Family. We had Princess Anne and Prince Andrew visiting Newcastle under Lyme a few weeks back to see Newcastle College and the Jubilee 2 Pool.
It just shows how much travelling about the country she and the other members of the Royal Household do.

Olympic Torch Relay in Stoke on Trent



On May 30th the Olympic Torch reached Stoke on Trent and the next morning bright and early Keith Simpson the managing director of Castle Comfort was cheering with the crowds at the sight of the Olympic Torch being paraded through Burslem and down into Middleport.

The last part of the Olympic Torch route around Stoke on Trent was along the A527, which if they had carried on running, instead of diverting to Crewe, would have meant that they would have carried the torch right past the Castle Comfort Centre in Wolstanton.

The Castle Comfort Group have a local association with running around Stoke on Trent, not least with delivering their riser recliner chairs, adjustable beds and stairlifts, but also sponsoring athletes to run in the Potters Arf Marathon.  See this blog where we sponsored Stairlift Stephen to run the route with a stairlift on his back.

The original lighting of the torch is done by lighting it from the suns rays at the Temple of Hera in Olympia in Greece, the historical birthplace of the Games. After a short relay around Greece, each Olympic year the flame then gets handed to a representative of the host country from where it is transferred around the country on a 70 day relay spreading a message of peace, unity and friendship.

The route of the Olympic Torch is designed so that it would pass within an hour of 95% of residents in the UK and you can see on the video below the actual lighting of the Olympic Torch in Stoke from one torch bearer to the next in Middleport.  Let's hope we get some golds in the Olympics!  Let us know in the comments if you saw the torch too.