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Linlithgow

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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.

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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.

2019 - I visited Linlithgow 3 times in the one day to get Photos at different times of the day, driving back and forth between Linlithgow and Culross. Had fish and chips by Linlithgow Loch in the evening while waiting on a little bit of cloud clearing for the final Photos of the day, across the Loch. May explain the different sun angles in some of the Photos.

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