Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
West Lothian
To many, West Lothian is a poor relative to the rich, rolling farmland of East and
Midlothian, with a landscape dominated by motorways, industrial estates and giant
hillocks of ochre-coloured mine waste called “bings”. However, in the ruined royal
palace at Linlithgow , the area boasts one of Scotland's more magnificent ruins. Not too
far away, the village of South Queensferry lies under the considerable shadow of the
Forth rail and road bridges, though it's an interesting enough place in its own right,
with a historic high street and the notable stately homes Dalmeny and Hopetoun
nearby. It's also the starting point for boat trips out to Inchcolm Island , home to a
beautifully preserved medieval abbey.
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Linlithgow
Roughly equidistant between Falkirk and the outskirts of Edinburgh, the ancient burgh
of Linlithgow has largely kept its medieval layout. Sadly, development since the 1960s
has stripped it of some fine buildings, in particular close to the Town Hall and Cross
(the former marketplace) on the long High Street - the town does, however, preserve
some notable gems, including its ruined palace and an ancient church.
Linlithgow Palace
Kirkgate • Daily: April-Sept 9.30am-5.30pm; Oct-March 9.30am-4.30pm • £5.50; HS • T 01506 842 896, W historic-scotland.gov.uk
Linlithgow Palace, hidden from the main road, is a splendid fifteenth-century ruin
romantically set on the edge of Linlithgow Loch and associated with some of Scotland's
best-known historical figures, including Mary, Queen of Scots , who was born here on
December 8, 1542 and became queen six days later. A royal manor house is believed to
have existed on this site since the time of David I, though James I began construction
of the present palace, a process that continued through two centuries and the reign of
no fewer than eight monarchs. From the top of the northwest tower, Queen Margaret
looked out in vain for the return of James IV from the field of Flodden in 1513 -
indeed, the views from her bower, six giddy storeys up from the ground, are
exceptional. he ornate octagonal fountain in the inner courtyard, with its wonderfully
intricate figures and medallion heads, flowed with wine for the wedding of James V
and Mary of Guise.
his is a great place to take children: the elegant, bare rooms echo with footsteps and
there's a labyrinthine network of spiral staircases and endless nooks and crannies. he
galleried Great Hall is magnificent, as is the adjoining kitchen, which has a truly
cavernous fireplace.
St Michael's Church
Kirkgate • Mon-Sat: April-Sept 9.30am-5.30pm; Oct-March 9.30am-4.30pm • Free • T 01506 842188, W stmichaelsparish.org.uk
St Michael's Church , adjacent to Linlithgow Palace, is one of Scotland's largest
pre-Reformation churches, consecrated in the thirteenth century. he present building
was completed two hundred years later, with the exception of the hugely incongruous
aluminium spire, tacked on in 1964. Inside, it's a soaring Gothic masterwork with a
layout typical of the time; huge stone arches and pillars combine to divide the outer
aisles from the nave, above which the impressive vaulted ceiling draws the eye forward
to the chancel.
Linlithgow Canal Centre
Manse Rd Basin, 100yd southwest of Linlithgow's train station • Boat trips (from £4) run between 2.30pm and 4pm on weekends Easter-
Sept, daily July & Aug; self-drive boat hire from £60 • T 01506 671215, W lucs.org.uk
he Linlithgow Canal Centre sits on the banks of the tranquil Union Canal , the
31-mile-long waterway that runs from Tolcross, near the heart of Edinburgh,
 
 
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