Bo'Ness Speed Hill Climb

Kenny Baird

I remember reporting on Bo’ness with my boss, Mr Wesley Tee. He owned Motor Sport and I was his editor. I was alarmed at how dangerously close to the course he stood, but it produced wonderful photographs.

The Bo’ness story is now told by Kenny Baird in a fine little paperback costing £8.99 (Bookmark Publishing, ISBN 978 1 870519 73 1). The quality of some of the pictures is poor, but for me they are adequate as supporting a useful history of this important venue.

It was built in the Kenneil estate, which belonged to the local County Council! The hopes for a race circuit never materialised, but the hillclimb course made up for that with exciting corners and a downhill section.

Record tables from 1934 to 1964 are included, with a list of the lady competitors and short biographies of notable drivers. There are also instructions on how to walk the original course.