#GreatDaysOut in West Lothian

Blackness Castle is located a short distance from the historic town of Linlithgow, right on the border with Falkirk. The home of the powerful Crichton family, these days its best known for its links in Film and TV in Outlander and Mary Queen of Scots. 

A short drive away is Beecraigs Country Park. This 370 hectare park has a wide range of activities for all the family, as well as a Cafe - a perfect place to stop and get a bite to eat after a busy day exploring!

📍  - Just a short drive from Linlithgow, West Lothian

💷 - Free Entry to Beecraigs Country Park, tickets for Blackness Castle  start at £3.60 for children / Adults £6.00.

With one of the largest collections in the world, the Scottish Owl Centre (located within Polkemmet Country Park) is a perfect place to see Owls from all over the world. There's daily, all weather flying displays to see these beautiful birds in flight, as well as fantastic Adventure Playground & Picnic area.

After you've visited, why not have a look round the rest of Polkemmet Country Park? With golf course, driving range, bowling green, woodland & riverside walks, play area, picnic areas & BBQ facility there's so much to see and do. 

📍  -  Located in the West of West Lothian, just a short drive from Whitburn.

💷 - Free Entry to Polkemmet Country Park, tickets for the Scottish Owl Centre start at £6.50 for children (family tickets available).

Visit Scotland's latest 5* attraction, Jupiter Artland is definitely worth a visit this summer. Located just outside of Wilkieston on the border with Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland is an award winning, unique contemporary sculpture park. 

Continue your day with a trip to the nearby Almondell & Calderwood Country Park. Left undeveloped & unspoilt, Calderwood is a natural woodland, located on a plateau bounded by Linhouse & Murieston Waters, home to a wealth of wildlife. 

📍  -  Located towards the East of West Lothian, accessible from the A71. Frequent bus links are available from Edinburgh & Livingston.

💷 - Free Entry to Almondell & Calderwood Country Park, tickets for the Jupiter Artland start at £8.10 for adults (family tickets available from £22.50).

A trip to West Lothian is never complete without seeing the stunning Linlithgow Palace. Inside one of the most spectacular ruins in Scotland you cannot help but walk in the footsteps of royalty. This royal pleasure palace was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and an iconic filming location in hit TV show Outlander. Outlander fans will recognise the Palace gates and corridors as being those used in the scenes when Jamie was imprisoned.

Burgh Halls is located minutes away, featuring a superb art gallery, two stylish, contemporary function rooms and a stunning roof terrace perfect for weddings and other events, as well as an education room, café and much more.

Cross the road and you'll reach the new Linlithgow Museum. The perfect place to explore the vast history of the "Royal Burgh". The museum, opened in 2019, features exhibitions for all the family.

📍  -  All three locations are just off the High Street in Linlithgow, just 15 minutes by regular trains from Edinburgh or by frequent bus links.

💷 - Tickets for Linlithgow Palace are £9.00 Adults / Children £5.40. Burgh Halls and Linlithgow Museum are both free to enter. 
 

Located minutes away from the heart of Livingston, Almond Valley is a wonderful day of adventure and play. Set in a green riverside site extending for almost a mile, Almond Valley offers delights and discoveries for every member of the family. You can even take a ride on the sites very own narrow gauge railway!

If Almond Valley has got you in the mood to see more animals, why not head on down to Five Sisters Zoo? Located a short drive away in Polbeth, West Calder, you can get up close to over 180 different species of animals, birds and reptiles from around the world. With a recently opened Softplay, as well as a Cafe there's plenty to keep all the family occupied.

📍  -  Almond Valley is located in Livingston, with easy connections to the Bus Terminal at The Centre and nearby Livingston North Station. Five Sisters Zoo is in Polbeth, just outside West Calder and a short drive from Almond Valley.

💷 - Tickets for Almond Valley cost £9.50 Adults / Children £7.50. Five Sisters Zoo is £12.95 for adults / Children £10.45. Family tickets are available at both sites.