Linlithgow, Royal burgh in West Lothian, Scotland
Linlithgow is a royal burgh in West Lothian, Scotland, stretched along the southern shore of a loch and centered around its palace complex and medieval church. Cobbled streets climb from the market square toward the ruins while the main shopping street runs through the center and residential areas spread up surrounding hills.
The palace rose from 1424 under James I and became a favored royal residence for Scottish monarchs including the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542. The complex burned in 1746 after troops stationed there during the Jacobite rising and was never rebuilt.
The annual Riding of the Marches shows locals in traditional dress riding horses along historic boundary lines through parades that wind across town. This tradition connects the community to its royal charter and ancient burgh rights since the 16th century.
The railway station connects the town to Edinburgh and Glasgow and sits about a 10-minute walk from the palace. Most attractions cluster around the old town near the High Street and can be reached on foot.
St. Michael's Church carries a modern aluminum crown atop its tower added in 1964 that some visitors read as a crown of thorns. This unusual addition replaced the original stone crown that collapsed in the 16th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
