Everyone wanted electricity and in August 1909 the Slamannan Parish Council discussed how it might be provided for the village. Application to the Carron Company for a supply from its colliery at Easter Jaw Colliery was suggested, but this was considered inadvisable, partly due to the uncertainty regarding the colliery’s future. The next suggestion was to approach the Scottish Central Electric Power Company Ltd for a supply from the Bonnybridge Power Station, but the enormous cost of bringing the supply that distance instantly put the suggestion out of consideration. The third suggestion was to erect a water-driven motor at the Rumblie Burn at Balcastle. The initial cost of laying down plant to supply the village with light would not exceed many hundreds of pounds, which in the course of a very few years would repay itself and might attract industry. It was estimated that using electricity rather than gas would half the cost. Failing a Council-led scheme it was considered that a private company could be set up with the villagers taking shares (Falkirk Herald 28 August 1909, 8). Nothing came of these suggestions and before long negotiations were opened with the Scottish Central Electric Company.
In 1914 an electricity supply was obtained from Bonnybridge, though it was 1931 before the gas street lighting was replaced.
Falkirk Local History Society 