While canvassing for the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 Neil Findlay made a discovery. Visiting the home that used to be his grandparents', he was shown a plywood panel where John 'Jock' Findlay, his grandfather, had written his life's tale. This is Jock's story. Jock grew up and grew old in the West Lothian village of Pumpherston - a village dominated by one industry, shale oil mining. In his own words he describes the good times, and the hard times, of living and working in Pumpherston. This is a story about a Scottish industry, a village and, most of all, a community.

Built on a solid foundation of research and visual inputs, this book traces the history and development of Whitburn, West Lothian back to its mining times and up to today. Local personalities are depicted with depth as well as peculiar events that took place in this small town that has always shown a glaring lack of deference to all forms of authority and definite radical leanings.