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Linlithgow is a Town in central Scotland, 21
miles west of Edinburgh, 33 miles east of Glasgow, with
regular Trains from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Linlithgow is popular for its Palace, Museum, Union Canal
Boat Trips, and Pigeon
Palace next to the Canal.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area Attractions
Camping &
Touring Parks in area
The image top is of the Centre of Linlithgow
with the main building being the Burgh Halls
with the Cross Well in front.
The Burgh Halls were built in 1670 as the
Town Hall. Forces of Oliver Cromwell demolished
the Tolbooth on this site when they took
control of Linlithgow in 1650. The Burgh Halls
were built to replace the Tolbooth. The
Building was restored and altered in 2011 to be
used for Weddings, Events, and has a Cafe.
The original Cross Well was built in the
1500s, with this replaced by a more elaborate
Well in 1628. That Well was damaged by
Cromwell's forces in 1650, then rebuilt as an
exact copy in 1807, claimed to be by a one
armed Stone Mason.
The High Street in Linlithgow is where most
of the Shops and Cafes are located.
Linlithgow
Museum is across the road from the Burgh
Halls. The Museum covers the Town from the time
of Mary Queen of Scots in the 1500s, to
Industry in the area such as Agriculture,
Printing, Munitions, and Electronics.
Linlithgow Palace is up behind the
Burgh Halls. The earliest parts of the Palace
were built in 1424 for King James I. The Palace
was completed in the 1530s, with Mary Queen of
Scots born there in 1542.
This was the largest Palace of the Scottish
Monarchs, the others being at Stirling
Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Falkland, and Holyrood
in Edinburgh. Linlithgow Palace began to fall
into ruin from the 1640s.
St Michael's Parish
Church is next to the Palace, one of the
largest Churches in Scotland. The earliest
parts of this Church were built in 1242 for
King David I. This Church, and many other
buildings in Linlithgow, were damaged by a vast
fire in 1424.
Linlithgow Loch, at the Palace, has a 2 mile
path around, popular for Walking and Jogging.
There are also Boats that can
be hired for Pleasure and Fishing. Most Boats
have Oars, some have Electric Engines.
The Union Canal is
up behind Linlithgow Train
Station. The Canal was completed in 1822,
connecting Falkirk and Edinburgh, passing
through Linlithgow.
The Linlithgow Canal
Centre has a small Museum, Tearoom, and
small Boats for hire. There are also Trips on
Canal Boats certain days.
Across the road from the Canal Centre is the
Pigeon Palace in Learmonth Gardens. This
Dovecote was built in the 1500s for the Barons
Ross of Halkhead. Pigeons or Doves were used
for food in those days.
Linlithgow Golf
Club is on the southwest side of the Town.
The original course was designed in 1913, long
after Mary Queen of Scots died. Mary was
claimed to be a keen golfer.
Linlithgow History
1100s - King David I builds a Royal Manor
where Linlithgow Palace stands today.
1130 - Linlithgow was made a Royal Burgh by
King David I.
1138 - King David I helped fund the building
of the original St Michael's Church.
1301 - King Edward I of England took control
of Linlithgow, building a large Wooden Castle
around the Royal Manor. This was during the
First War of
Scottish Independence, 1296 - 1328, a time
Scotland had no King and England tried to gain
control.
1314 - the Scots defeated the English at the
Battle of Bannockburn, leading to
Robert the Bruce becoming King of Scotland. The
English Castle at Linlithgow was removed at
that time.
1424 - many of the buildings in Linlithgow
were damaged by fire, including the Royal Manor
and St Michael's Church.
1424 - the earliest parts of Linlithgow
Palace were built for King James I.
1500s - the original Cross Well is built in
the Town Centre where Markets were held.
1530s - Linlithgow Palace was completed,
becoming the largest Royal Palace in
Scotland.
1540 - the restoration of St Michael's
Church is completed.
1542 - Mary Queen of Scots was born at
Linlithgow Palace.
1640s - Linlithgow Palace starts to fall
into ruin.
1650 - forces of Oliver Cromwell destroyed
the Tolbooth in the centre of Linlithgow. The
English Civil War had spread into Scotland,
with Cromwell crushing Scots supporting the
Stuart Kings.
1658 - Oliver Cromwell
died, with him being buried in Westminster
Abbey.
1660 - Charles II Stuart was restored as
King. Charles then had Cromwell's body dug up,
beheaded, and hung in chains.
1670 - the Burgh Halls were built in the
Town Centre overlooking the Cross Well, where
the Tolbooth once stood.
1821 - the Stone Crown on top of St
Michael's Church Tower had to be removed, as
the Tower had become unstable.
1822 - the Union Canal was
completed, connecting Falkirk, Linlithgow, and
Edinburgh.
1964 - an Aluminum Crown was erected on top
of St Michael's Church Tower.
1965 - the Union Canal was closed.
2001 - the Union Canal was re-opened for
recreation, with the Linlithgow Canal Centre
providing short Boat Trips along a section of
the Canal at Linlithgow.
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