The Hippodrome

INTRODUCTION

Situated in the centre of the historic town of Bo’ness, the Hippodrome is Scotland’s earliest surviving purpose-built cinema. Its construction was the result of a collaboration between two local citizens, film-enthusiast Louis Dickson and architect Matthew Steele. The Hippodrome opened in 1912 and remained in use as a cinema until 1975, when it became a bingo hall before being abandoned. From 2006 to 2009, SHBT led a £2.1 million restoration project which returned the building to its original use. The building is currently managed as a cinema by Falkirk Council.