Linlithgow town map - R P A Smith Street Plans

Find your way around Linlithgow, Birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots

FIRST THINGS FIRST! The best way of finding your way around the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow is to purchase a copy of Ronald P A Smith's coloured Linlithgow Street Plan, available from most local bookshops/newsagents (see also blue panel, below left, giving details of where the full range of R P A Smith Street Plans can be obtained), from Linlithgow Museum at Annet House, from the Visitor Awareness Centre and from the main petrol filling stations in the vicinity. This map was first published in 1991, and is now in its 6th edition. To order by post direct from the publisher, please click the 'Map Ordering' button on the left.

The Linlithgow Street Plan is published at a large scale (1:7500 or 8 inches to 1 mile), allowing much more detail than any other comparable publication. It extends westwards to include Linlithgow Bridge and has an inset showing the village of Torphichen.

ROYAL BURGH OF LINLITHGOW

Linlithgow, the historic county town of West Lothian, is located 18 miles west of Edinburgh, just off the M9 motorway and on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow railway line. Dramatically situated between Linlithgow Loch and the rising ground to the south, the town was made a Royal Burgh by David I in the early 12th century. Its royal palace (see photograph above) ensured prominence for the town in Scottish history, and, by the 15th and 16th centuries, Linlithgow had reached its period of greatest influence, prosperity and architectural achievement. The union of the crowns in 1603, together with the loss of the town's coastal trading monopoly through Blackness, caused a decline to relative obscurity, apart from its traditional role as West Lothian's county town.

The town's original, typically Scottish, linear burgh layout has been largely preserved, partly because of the barriers created by the east-west Union Canal (1818-20) and railway (1838-42) on the steep slopes to the south. Unfortunately, some of the built form was needlessly destroyed and redeveloped in the 'exciting and innovative' architectural fashion of the 1960s, but today's more sensitive planning approach has prevented further damage to the town's very attractive character.

Linlithgow is now a popular dormitory town with electronics as its main industry, and, in 1994, it was named 'Scottish Tourism Town of the Year'. On its western edge is a modern leisure centre. Such is the town's popularity as a place to live, the population has increased from 4,570 in 1951 to 13,370 in 2001.

Antiquities and Places of Interest

Linlithgow Palace - Occupying a prominent position beside Linlithgow Loch, the palace is one of Scotland's best known historic buildings. The first royal residence was established on this site in the 12th century; the present palace was started for King James I in 1425. James V was born here in 1512, and, by the time of the birth of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542, the building had taken its present form. Bonnie Prince Charlie was entertained here in 1745; a year later, after having been occupied by soldiers of the Duke of Cumberland, the palace was gutted by fire and has remained a noble ruin ever since.

The Peel and Linlithgow Loch - The Peel (the royal park around the palace), and the path around Linlithgow Loch make in themselves a popular afternoon out. The two mile walk provides the opportunity to experience the loch's abundant wildlife and gives good views of the juxtaposition between palace and church, as shown in the photograph above.

St Michael's Parish Church (right) - The impressive parish church next to the palace was dedicated in 1242 by the Bishop of St Andrews, although most of the present building dates from a 1424 reconstruction. The interior is well-lit, broad and spacious; it has been described as 'perhaps the finest parish church in Scotland' (RIAS Guide). The south transept (St Katherine's Aisle), where King James IV saw the ghost warning of his impending fate at the Battle of Flodden, has a window with magnificent Gothic tracery and stunning modern stained glass. The controversial modern crown atop the tower dates from 1964. Immediately outside the church is the Palace gateway, dating from around 1535, and adorned with carved panels which represent orders of knighthood associated with King James V.

Linlithgow Cross - The focal point of Linlithgow is the Cross, overlooked by the magnificent Town House, built in 1668-70 to replace the original tolbooth, demolished on the orders of Oliver Cromwell. Altered over the years, it now accommodates the Burgh Halls (including the Council Chamber of the former Linlithgow Town Council) and the local Visitor Awareness Centre. The Cross Well in front, itself a replica of a 1628 original, was created in 1807 by Robert Gray, a one-handed stonemason.

Linlithgow Museum and Heritage Centre (Linlithgow Heritage Trust) - Annet House, an 18th century merchant's residence at 143 High Street, accommodates 'Linlithgow's Story', a series of very interesting exhibits portraying the town's long and varied history, plus a feature on Scottie of Star Trek, a yet-to-be-born native of Linlithgow. Its back garden or 'rig' has been recently restored to reflect its original character and includes a statue of Mary, Queen of Scots..

Union Canal Basin - The Union Canal was opened in 1822, linking Edinburgh to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk. Its length of 31.5 miles was engineered without the need for locks, except at the Falkirk end. The former stables at the Linlithgow Canal Basin are now a Canal Museum and tearoom, operated by the Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS) which runs boat trips on weekend afternoons from Easter to September. A trip to the very impressive Avon Aqueduct makes a particularly memorable afternoon out!

Beecraigs Country Park - A short distance to the south of Linlithgow is Beecraigs Country Park which includes a visitor centre, woodland walks, a touring caravan site, a restaurant and a deer farm. The West Lothian Council has recently constructed a direct footpath link between the Royal Burgh and the country park, affording good views of the town and the surrounding countryside.

Local Customs and Events

Linlithgow has a strong community spirit and civic pride, reflected in the wide support given to the many local organisations and local customs/events, the most significant of which are described below.

Riding of the Marches - Like Lanark and many of the Scottish Border towns, Linlithgow celebrates the Riding of the Marches. 'Marches Day', which occurs on the 'first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June', features processions of floats and bands along the High Street, one of which, illustrated here, brought a well-known London clocktower much closer to its Linlithgow equivalent! On the following Saturday is held the Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Gala Day when the 'Gala Queen' is crowned and the homes of her court are decorated.

The Canal Rally - Another eagerly awaited annual event, but of more recent origin, is the LUCS Canal Rally on a Sunday afternoon in late August, featuring stalls, children's amusements, boat trips, musical entertainment and water based fun. One of the highlights is the cardboard boat race, as shown in the picture.

The Advent Fair - Another annual event, held around the beginning of December, is the Advent Fair, organised by the Community Council and enthusiastically supported by the local churches and other organisations. After dark, an impressive torchlight procession wending its way along the High Street is followed by the switching on of the Christmas illuminations, accompanied by band performances and carol singing. Other major local events include the Linlithgow Folk Festival and the 'Celebrate Linlithgow' Arts Festival.

CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON LINLITHGOW CIVIC TRUST, A LOCAL VOLUNTARY GROUP WHICH AIMS TO ASSIST THE CONSERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE TOWN'S BUILT AND NATURAL HERITAGE.

For a good local range of R P A Smith Street Plan titles, visit the Linlithgow Bookshop in High Street, Linlithgow or the Avon Filling Station at Linlithgow Bridge.

'Walks around Linlithgow' by John Davidson, published by the Linlithgow Civic Trust, but now out of print with a new edition under preparation. The revised booklet will be in colour and will contain newly-researched walking routes around the town. Will be available from local retail outlets along with current Civic Trust publications and superb teatowel.

This web page was last updated, February 2008.