M8 at J4A
Not signposted in advance.
EH47 0TB
map and directions
Single site located at a junction.
The new Heartlands development allowed for a roadside facility to be provided next to the M8. It's not an official service area, even though it offers more than the M8's official service area does.
Facilities
Catering: KFC Drive Thru, McDonald's Drive Thru, Starbucks Drive Thru Outdoor Space: Children's Play Area (at McDonald's); no grass space; public footpath connection Charging Points: EV Point 150kW CCS Forecourt: Shell, ASDA Express, Greggs, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go, Free Cash Machine
Parking Prices
Parking and use of the entire site is limited to 90 minutes maximum stay, with 7 short-stay HGV parking bays provided at the forecourt.
These restrictions are strictly enforced by VARS on the forecourt and in the shared KFC and Starbucks car park, whilst UK Parking Control enforce the McDonald's car park.
No long-term or overnight parking is available.
This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.
Contact Details
🏢 Address:
Heartlands Service Station
1 Heartlands Court
Whitburn
Bathgate
West Lothian
EH47 0SF
Trivia and History
Discussions about expanding Whitburn around the M8 where first held at the start of the 2000s. This would take the form of a large business park, housing estate and service area, to be connected to the M8 via a new, privately-funded interchange.
Heartlands Interchange opened in 2013, connected to Whitburn by a link road where the new Balgornie Roundabout would provide access to the future service area on Cowhill Farm. The forecourt, KFC and Starbucks were planned as one development, and opened in September 2021. The McDonald's, being on the other side of the link road, was built separately and opened a few months later on 3 November 2021. Space was left for more developments.
With 7 HGV parking spaces, 12 car parking spaces in the forecourt and 63 car parking spaces in the two restaurants, the service area doesn't qualify as a motorway service area for the M8, nor does it want to be, even if many customers will treat it as one and it offers more branded facilities than the M8's official motorway service area at Heart of Scotland. Instead Heartlands caters for people who were already using the link road, as well as those who already know it's there.
McDonald's intend to add two InstaVolt electric vehicle charging points to their car park. EG Group also installed two EV Point chargers behind the Shell forecourt in early 2023.
The forecourt transferred into the Asda estate in March 2024, relaunching on 26 March with a new Asda Express store.
Alternatives
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| Forthview (A90, 20 miles) Dreghorn (A720, 21 miles) Kinross (M90, 34 miles) Bankhead (A92, 40 miles) | Services on the M8 | Heart of Scotland (Harthill) (2 miles) |