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Heritage

What better way to learn about the West Lothian of present day than by delving into its past?

See history re-enacted or enjoy a variety of events throughout the year at Linlithgow Palace ? birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and the jewel in West Lothian's crown.

Gain a glimpse into how the other half lived with a tour around the area's period houses and buildings: Hopetoun House, the House of the Binns and Dalmeny House to name just a few!

Take a walk up Cairnpapple Hill and explore the remains of a Neolithic temple dating as far back as c2500BC.

Or hold fort at Blackness Castle - the 14th century stronghold that was later to become the film location for Mel Gibson's Hamlet.

If all that leaves you in need of some quiet reflection, a visit to the peaceful surroundings of St Michael's Parish Church, one of Scotland's finest parish churches, or to Torphichen Preceptory - the tower and transepts of a 13th century church built by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem - should do just the trick.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace is in a beautiful setting above a loch in the centre of Linlithgow, the historic county town of West Lothian. A royal house has existing here since at least the 12th Century though the present building dates from between the 14th and 17th Centuries. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots as well as many other Scottish Monarchs, it was burned by the Hanoverian troops of the Duke of Cumberland in 1746.

It is open throughout the year and maintained by Historic Scotland.
(t) 01506 842 896.

Link to Linlithgow Palace website

Located just 3m from Linlithgow, the House of the Binns is the historic home of the Dalyells. Parts of the present house date from 1612-30. It is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

The House is open between 2 and 5pm, 1 Jun to 30 Sep, daily except Friday. The Parkland is open all year round.
(t) 01506 834 255.

Located north of Linlithgow on the shore of the Forth. The castle is first mentioned in 1449, and was built to guard the port at Blackness serving the royal burgh of Linlithgow. It was used for both internal and external scenes set in Elsinore Castle in the Franco Zeffirelli version of Hamlet.

It is open daily April - September and open Saturday to Wednesday October - March.
(t) 01506 834 807.

St. Michael's Parish Church, with its distinctive tower, dominates the town of Linlithgow. Lying on a promontory between the town and the loch, next to the palace, it is almost of cathedral proportions and considered one of the finest mediaeval churches in Scotland.

It is still the parish church of Linlithgow and is open daily.
(t) 01506 842 188.

Located to the west of South Queensferry, Hopetoun House is one of the most splendid examples of Georgian architecture in Britain being the work of Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam. It is owned and managed by an independent, charitable trust created in 1974 by the current Marquess of Linlithgow.

The House and Grounds are open to the public daily from Easter to the end of September. It can also be used as a location for weddings, corporate events and conferences.
(t) 0131 331 2451.

Cairnpapple Hill is one of the most important prehistoric sites on mainland Scotland and at 300m in height offers one of the best viewpoints in central Scotland, extending from Arran in the west to Bass Rock in the east. It was a ceremonial site and burial place between 3000 and 1400 BC.

It is open daily between April and September.
(t) 01506 634 622.

Torphichen Preceptory is the tower and the two transepts of a church associated with the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Much of the building dates from the 13th Century.

It is maintained by Historic Scotland and is open on weekends between April and October.
(t) 01506 653 733.