Founded in the 12th century and completed in the 13th century, Torphichen Preceptory was the Scottish HQ of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (the Knights Hospitaller). In 1298 Sir William Wallace held his last convention of barons here.

Sanctuary Stones once sat at a mile radius, one is now to be found in the kirkyard and the Gormyre Stone (ENE) and Westfield Stone can still be found in their original locations.

 Torphichen Kirk

Torphichen Kirk was built in 1756 and is still a very active church today. The original bar pews include reserved stalls for the knights from the Preceptory.

St John's Hall on Manse Road 1843 was originally the free kirk built after the Disrutption in 1843 and is now used as the Church Hall.

 Other Torphichen Facts

Henry Bell, the engineer who launched the first commercially successful steamship in Europe was born in Torphichen in 1767.

The octagonal Jubilee Fountain in the village square dates from 1897.

   

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