Linlithgow Palace, Royal palace in Linlithgow, Scotland
Linlithgow Palace is a ruined royal residence in the town of Linlithgow in West Lothian, located roughly midway between Edinburgh and Stirling. Four wings surround a central courtyard that holds a Renaissance fountain dating from the early 16th century.
James I began converting a fortress into a royal residence in 1424 after a fire destroyed earlier buildings. Work continued through several generations until a fire in 1746 left the palace uninhabitable.
The palace served as a favored residence for Stuart monarchs traveling between their northern and southern territories. Its connection to Mary Stuart, born here in 1542, makes it one of Scotland's most significant royal locations.
The site opens throughout the year and most areas can be explored without a guide. A train from Edinburgh Waverley Station brings visitors to Linlithgow in roughly 20 minutes, from where the palace grounds lie within walking distance.
The courtyard fountain flowed with wine in September 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie stopped here during the Jacobite rising. This moment marked one of the final high points in the palace's story before it soon lost its importance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
