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Five Reasons to Visit Linlithgow Palace this summer
This year, there are so many reasons to make West Lothian your destination for a day out. Head to the charming, historic town of Linlithgow, where you will find Linlithgow Palace. This ‘royal pleasure palace’ was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and the magnificent ruins boast an ornate fountain (said to have once flowed with red wine no less!) and views across the peel, loch and to the Forth bridges.
Find out more about the Palace, opening times and admission prices here, and read on for 5 reasons to visit this summer.
See the spectacular jousting!
Hear the thunder of hooves and clashing of lances as Spectacular Jousting returns to Linlithgow Palace on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June 2019. This annual extravaganza is always one of the highlights of the West Lothian events calendar, and is the perfect day out the all the family. Better still, the event is free to attend for Historic Scotland members, so why not sign up to enjoy this among many other benefits. A historic weekend awaits!
Find out more at historicdaysawait.scot/jousting
Get hands on at holiday club
As well as the historic palace itself, Linlithgow Peel and Loch are located here, which make the perfect spot for a picnic and some wildlife exploration. Our rangers run a packed programme of events here to help you get hands on with the outdoors, and during July there are a range of holiday club events taking place. From ‘art attack’ to ‘the big butterfly count’ and even ‘paw prints and poos’ – there are themes that kids will love.
These events are free to attend, but pre-booking is required. Head to historicenvironment.scot/ranger-service for details on booking your place.
Go behind the scenes of Outlaw King
Did you love Outlaw King? Use our online trail to make a plan to visit both the filming locations, and the real sites that tell the stories of Robert the Bruce. Linlithgow Palace stars as Bruce’s castle chapel in Outlaw King, and many scenes were filmed on the Peel. The Palace also features in the real story of Bruce’s life, find out more by downloading the full trail at historicenvironment.scot/bruce
Image credit- Netflix
Get on the trail of Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow Palace, so it is a very significant place in the story of her life. Take a look at our Mary Queen of Scots trail, and make plans to follow in her footsteps this summer. Keen to go behind the scenes of the recent film Mary Queen of Scots? Head to Blackness Castle, also in West Lothian, which was used as filming location.
Download the trail at historicenvironment.scot/mary
Image credit- Universal
Go Bats!
Later this summer, our rangers will be hosting a night time walk around the palace and peel to search for Linlithgow’s nocturnal inhabitants. Come and help track down these elusive creatures, don’t forget your torch!
Sunday 25th August 8pm-10pm
Tickets for this event are £6 for adults, £5 for concessions and £4 for children and are available online here.
Visit West Lothian, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian. EH54 6FF UK Registration No. SC346843
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