Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a town and historic royal burgh in West Lothian, Scotland.
It was historically West Lothian's county town, reflected in the county's historical name of Linlithgowshire. An ancient town, it lies in the Central Belt on a historic route between Edinburgh and Falkirk beside Linlithgow Loch. The town is situated approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Edinburgh. In 2022, the population of Linlithgow was 12,517, while the Linlithgow ward had a population of 16,499 in 2019.
Getting to Linlithgow
By plane: Linlithgow is 11 miles west of Edinburgh Airport. There's no direct public transport, so the choice is: Tram or bus to Haymarket Station (see Edinburgh#Get in), then train or Bus 38 to Linlithgow as below; Hike a mile up the airport access road to Glasgow Road, go under the bridge to be on the correct side, look left for the steps up to the 38 bus stop. Or just grab a taxi.
Worth seeing
- 01Linlithgow Palace
A fort stood here in the 14th century but it and much of the town burned down.
- 02Blackness Castle
Blackness EH49 7NH (3 miles northeast of Linlithgow).
- 03House of the Binns
Things to do
Linlithgow Loch is a good stroll for views of the palace. The path around it is mostly firm going but there are sometimes quaggy bits after rainfall. It's a freshwater loch, shallow, and stocked with rainbow trout. A couple of islets were probably crannogs, 5000-year old stilt-dwellings.
- 01Beecraigs Country Park
Daily Apr-Sep 9AM-7PM, Oct 9AM-5PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM.
Where to eat
High St offerings include Nero Pizza, Delhi's Winter, Mason Belles and Cafe Bar 1807. Champany Inn, Linlithgow EH49 7LU (2 miles northeast of town, jcn A904 / A803),. Restaurant Wed-Fri noon-2PM & 4:30-10PM, Sat Sun noon-10PM; Chop & Ale House Mon-Thu noon-2PM & 6:30-10PM, Fri-Sun noon-10PM.
Getting around Linlithgow the local way
- Get inGrangemouth Docks are busy with freight but never had ferries.
From Wikivoyage: Polmont, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.