Linlithgow

Linlithgow is a small town in the Central Belt of Scotland, Scotland

Linlithgow Palace from the public park surrounding it, known as The Peel

Get in

By plane

Linlithgow is only 11 miles (18 km) from Edinburgh Airport (EDI IATA). There are no direct public transport links to Linlithgow from Edinburgh Airport, however a dedicated airport bus service, Airlink Express, service 100, runs from outside the terminal building to Edinburgh city center (Waverley Bridge) and the journey takes an average 25 min, tickets can be purchased from the kiosk at the bus stop. Once in Edinburgh city centre, there are direct bus and train links to Linlithgow.

Although there is no direct bus from the terminal, the number 38 which operates between Edinburgh-Linlithgow-Falkirk-Stirling does stop near the airport. Passengers must walk from the terminal towards the Hilton hotel, then continue on out of the airport complex, past a secure car park service, continue under the motorway bridge and then up some stairs and on to the motorway bus stop. This walk takes about 10-15 min and is not suitable if you have a lot of luggage, are disabled or a large group of people. There is a chance a taxi may run you there in a few minutes. The service is fairly regular (timetable - add/subtract about 5 min to/from ratho station for airport times) and runs from early morning until late at night and fares are very reasonble. Journey time to Linlithgow is about 45 min, although if using the bus to get to the airport allow a lot of time for delays, especially in the mornings and other busy periods. It may be worth getting the service before the one you think will allow you extra time just to be sure!

At night/early morning the service may start or terminate at Linlithgow Cross, but for most of the day it will run through the main street of the town and out towards Falkirk.

By car

Linlithgow is between Junctions 3 and 4 of the M9. Take junction 3 if you are arriving from the south (e.g. from Edinburgh) or junction 4 if you are arriving from the north (e.g. from Stirling).

By train

Linlithgow is on the Central Scotland line, therefore benefits from regular trains to and from Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow and Stirling. Trains to and from 🌍 Linlithgow station are operated by Scotrail. The station has two platforms: Platform 1 for eastbound trains and Platform 2 for westward trains. Trains to and from Edinburgh take approximately 20 min and run every 15 min at peak times. Glasgow and Stirling trains take approximately 30 min and run twice per hour at peak times. Complete station information journey planers can be found on the National Rail Enquiries website or from Scotrail.

By bus

FirstGroup operate a bus route from Stirling to Edinburgh which goes via Linlithgow, service number 38, making it possible to get into Linlithgow from either Stirling or Edinburgh. There is also a late night bus service which operates on Friday and Saturdays, which runs from Edinburgh to Linlithgow, service number 44N. Timetables are available online from the FirstGroup website

Get around

Linlithgow is small enough to walk around. There is a 'Town Service' bus number L1, which loops round the town via the residential areas of Springfield, Braehead, Listloaning and Linlithgow Bridge.

See
  • 🌍 Linlithgow Palace. 25 Mar-30 Sep: daily 9:30AM-5:30PM, 1 Oct-24 Mar: daily 10AM-4PM. The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and former royal palace are now magnificent ruins. Adult £5.50. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 🌍 St Michael's Parish Church (go north up the kirkgate from the cross under the archway, the church is on the left), ☎ +44 1506 842188, e-mail: . One of Scotland's finest mediaeval churches, with a modern twist. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 🌍 Annet House Museum (The Linlithgow Story), 143 High St, EH49 7EJ (200m west of the cross), ☎ +44 1506 670677. 1 Apr – 31 Oct: M-Sa 11AM–5PM; Su 1PM–4PM. The Linlithgow Story tells of the town's connection with the Stewart dynasty and the lives and occupations of its ordinary people, using artefacts supplemented by video and audio presentations. Behind the house, the restored garden provides a peaceful contrast to the busy High Street and from the upper terrace of the garden there are fine views of the Palace, St Michael's Church and Linlithgow Loch. Free. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 🌍 Blackness Castle, Blackness (About 3 miles north east of Linlithgow, on the shore of the Forth). Blackness was the port for the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow in the days when Linlithgow Palace was a royal residence, so it was vital for the port to be properly defended. The castle is spectacularly located on a spit jutting out into the Firth of Forth and offers fine views of the Forth Bridges. Adult £5.50. (updated Feb 2016)

Do
Blackness Castle
  • Take a relaxing walk around Linlithgow Loch for great views of the palace.
  • Walk or cycle along the Union Canal to Edinburgh (about 30 km) or Falkirk (15 km).
  • Take a boat trip. Along the canal to the impressive Avon Aqueduct. (updated May 2016)
  • Beecraigs Country Park. A 370-hectare country park nestled high in the Bathgate hills near Linlithgow offering a wide range of outdoor activities including archery, canoeing/kayaking, climbing, pioneering, orienteering, hillcraft and skiing. Beecraigs also hosts a deer farm, trout fishery, sawmill and campsite within the park. (updated May 2016)
  • West Lothian Highland Games are held in late May in Meadow Park in the nearby village of Bathgate. The next event is Sat 25 May 2019.

Buy

Linlithgow high street is home to many small traditional independent shops and businesses.

  • There are 2 main supermarkets at either end of the town, Tesco in the Regent Centre and Sainsburys (open M-Sa 8AM-10PM and Su 8AM-8PM) in Linlithgow Bridge.
  • Unusually for a town of Linlithgow's size, there is a small retail park in Linlithgow bridge which contains some large shops such as Homebase, Argos, Au Naturale and Aldi.
  • Opposite the retail park is the towns only petrol filling station, Murco (24 hours, open every day).

Eat
  • Champany Inn, Champany, Linlithgow (a short distance out of town on the road to Blackness). Restaurant: lunch M-F 12:30PM-2PM; dinner M-Sa 7PM-10PM. Chop & Ale House: M-Th noon-2PM and 6:30PM-10PM; F-Su noon-10PM. Michelin starred fine-dining restaurant (booking recommended), and the less formal but still highly-rated Chop & Ale House (no bookings, just turn up). Particularly proud of its beef, oysters also a speciality, direct from the in-house rock pool. 

Drink

Pubs

There are 10 pubs dotted along Linlithgow High Street, most mainly cater for locals and some may seem a little rough around the edges. However it is not uncommon for tourists to visit The Star and Garter or The Four Marys. Most pubs stay open until 11PM to 1AM, depending on the day of the week and how busy they are. Don't miss The four Marys Cask Ale Festival which occurs twice a year on the last weekends in May and October.

  • 🌍 The Star and Garter Hotel (The Star), 1 High Street, EH49 7AB. Restored after being severely damaged by fire in October 2010. The building dates back to 1759, and was converted into a pub in the 1840s. 
  • Platform 3, Station Gate, 1a High Street, EH49 7AB. 
  • 🌍 The Four Marys, 65 - 67 High Street, EH49 7ED. 
  • The Auld Hole in The Wall (The Hole), 108 High Street, EH49 7AQ. 
  • 🌍 The Crown Arms, 179 High Street, EH49 7EN. 
  • Linlithgow Tap (formerly the Footballer and Cricketers Arms), 111 High Street, EH49 7EJ. 
  • 🌍 Lithgae Arms (The Cave), 271 High Street, EH49 7EP. A no-go for tourists and indeed most locals. 
  • The Swan Tavern, 248 High Street, EH49 7ES. 
  • West Port Hotel, 18-20 West Port, EH49 7AZ, ☎ +44 1506 847456. 
  • The Black Bitch Tavern, 14 West Port, EH49 7AZ. 
  • The Bridge Inn and Restaurant (Brig Inn), Linlithgow Bridge, EH49 7PX. 

Clubs

There is only one nightclub in Linlithgow, Code. Most of the locals in search of club life will head out to larger towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Bathgate and Livingston.

  • Code Nightclub, 18–20 Westport, EH49 7AZ (Behind the westport hotel). Sa 10PM-2AM. 

Sleep

Camping
  • Beecraigs Country Park, ☎ +44 1506 844516. Open all year. Campsite which is part of a much larger country park, 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Linlithgow in the Bathgate Hills. Well-equipped campsite with good amenities. The Country Park is a popular destination for a family day out, with a Trout Loch, Deer Park, Adventure Playground and miles of woodland walks. 

Bed and breakfast

Stay safe

Linlithgow is a small town and can be considered very safe, there are no run down no-go areas like in bigger cities.

Common sense should be observed when drinking in pubs, it is advisable not to loiter outside at closing time, especially outside Code as alcohol fueled fighting is not uncommon amongst young men.

Stay healthy

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can be present in Linlithgow Loch, so do not to drink from or swim in the loch.

Go next

Linlithgow is a good base for exploring the Central Belt of Scotland, with excellent transport links to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Stirling.

Routes through Linlithgow

Stirling ← Polmont ←  NW  SE  → Edinburgh


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