Linlithgow Palace
- Address: Grange Knowe, Linlithgow
- Hours: Open daily. Summer: 9:30am - 5:30pm, Winter: 9:30am - 4:30pm
- Admission: Adults: £5.20, Children: £3.10
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Cultural Experience,
Monument - Historical,
Ruin - Ancient
Linlithgow Palace is the classic romantic ruin, steeped in royal history and set beside a picturesque loch. It was begun in 1424 on the site of another palace that burnt down. Its halcyon period was during the reign of the Stuarts, who used it as a pleasure palace; it was particularly popular amongst the queens. Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I lived there as babies.
The palace is roofless now (it was gutted by a fire in the eighteenth century), but plenty of the old grandeur remains. There's an impressive great hall and a magnificent three-tiered fountain in the courtyard - visit on Sundays in July and August to see it playing. It only flows with water occasionally to preserve the exquisite carvings of mermaids and musicians from erosion.
Latest Reviews
Review by Fizz, Ireland, May 2013
Doing what: Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
Excellent tour, very informative guide, highly recommend it to anybody with spare time in Edinburgh.
Review by Jennifer K, May 2013
Doing what: Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
Beautiful tour - so glad this is the one we chose! The scenery is absolutely beautiful, so even though it's a long day it's well worthwhile. Weather in Scotland can be unpredictable (e.g. sun then hail), so make sure to plan accordingly. Also, since you stop at several gift shops and tourist attractions, you may want to bring an extra bag or enough room to pack away your purchases. The road can be a little windy, so if you're the least bit car sick, it's probably not for you. Our tour bus actually broke down along the way (first time that's happened to us despite a lot of tours), but our AWESOME tour guide, Paul, did everything in his power to make sure that we were taken care of - a wonderful experience despite the hiccup.
Review by Selima R, April 2013
Doing what: Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Edinburgh
Ali was great! Very knowledgeable and a true Eco warrior. The music he played while passing the tree sisters truly heightened the experience of this beautiful part of Scotland.
Practical Info
The fountain isn't the only example of wondrous carvings. There are statues all around the palace, including angel musicians in the chapel. The palace is surrounded by luxuriant parkland. Trains run regularly from Edinburgh to Linlithgow.
