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  3. Biodiversity and Geodiversity
  4. Local Geodiversity Sites in West Lothian
  5. 5. Five Sisters Shale Bings

5. Five Sisters Shale Bings near West Calder

These oil-shale bings, nicknamed the "Five Sisters", are hard to miss when using the Queensferry Crossing. Shale Bings are unique to West Lothian and now form distinctive and well known landmarks.

5 Five Sisters Shale Bings near West Calder

The characteristic of Five Sisters red colour is produced by the weathering of the initially blue-grey burnt oil-shale. This waste is non-toxic, alkaline and freely draining; in addition the particles are more cohesive than in coal waste. Variations in the chemical composition of the different bings produce a wide range of habitats and new niches for plants and animals. The "Five Sisters" are such a significant part of the industrial heritage of West Lothian that they are now protected as a Scheduled Monument. Nearby site Skolie Burn by Addiewell (25).