Other Stuff
GOOD THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN LINLITHGOW
LINLITHGOW CANAL CENTRE, MANSE ROAD BASIN
Go on a cruise and allow the scenery to glide slowly past as if it were being hand-cranked by a man. A good opportunity to do nothing but relax. They also have a tearoom (NAE SOUP!), a small museum with some astounding photographs, and a nice smell of wood burning. Opening times are a bit restricted, but even if it's not open you can go and look at the waters of the canal and soak up great views over all Central Scotland.
Go on a cruise and allow the scenery to glide slowly past as if it were being hand-cranked by a man. A good opportunity to do nothing but relax. They also have a tearoom (NAE SOUP!), a small museum with some astounding photographs, and a nice smell of wood burning. Opening times are a bit restricted, but even if it's not open you can go and look at the waters of the canal and soak up great views over all Central Scotland.
HOUSE OF THE BINNS
A little outside of the town, and nothing whatsoever to do with refuse collection...
VISITOR: 'Hi, I've brought some old beans cans for recycling.'
HOUSE OF BINNS ATTENDANT: 'Em...'.
It's about 3 miles to the east of Linlithgow, and if you fancy a walk you could take the Union Canal footpath then turn off just before Philpstoun, but you'd need a map, and you'd need to know how to use it. ('What are all these brown wavy lines, my dear?') It's a National Trust property that was the family home of the Dalyell family from the early seventeenth century, and the very place where General Tam Dalyell formed the regiment of Royal Scots Greys in 1681. You could spend a most pleasurable day out making your way here and frolicking around in their stunning parkland.
A little outside of the town, and nothing whatsoever to do with refuse collection...
VISITOR: 'Hi, I've brought some old beans cans for recycling.'
HOUSE OF BINNS ATTENDANT: 'Em...'.
It's about 3 miles to the east of Linlithgow, and if you fancy a walk you could take the Union Canal footpath then turn off just before Philpstoun, but you'd need a map, and you'd need to know how to use it. ('What are all these brown wavy lines, my dear?') It's a National Trust property that was the family home of the Dalyell family from the early seventeenth century, and the very place where General Tam Dalyell formed the regiment of Royal Scots Greys in 1681. You could spend a most pleasurable day out making your way here and frolicking around in their stunning parkland.
ANNET HOUSE MUSEUM & GARDEN, 143 HIGH STREET
Another town museum that is worth much more than just a token cursory glance. For it is here that you will learn why every other woman in the town is called Mary. I jest. This used to be called The Linlithgow Story, but some changes have taken place, and it is now as fine a museum as you will find anywhere in the country. The museum is housed in one of Linlithgow's charming old buildings. Annet House was built in 1787 for a merchant. There are a number of floors inside accessed via a stairway, and in all the rooms there are seriously fine displays informing you about all sorts of stuff to do with the town.
You can, for example, see material found on the site of the 1526 Battle of Linlithgow Bridge, like a cannonball, halberd blade and dagger hilt.
Or a model of the wonderfully carved Crosswell, as constructed by Robert Gray, a stonemason from Edinburgh. The well is remarkable not just for the intricacy of the carving, but because the stonemason Robert Gray only had one arm!
You can also see two huge flags: the colours of the Scotch Brigade, saved before the brigade was reluctantly renamed The 94th Regiment of Foot and the colours changed in 1803.
Upstairs there are also some magnificent old sections of painted ceiling dating to c1700, as saved from the Golden Cross Tavern in Linlithgow. If only they could talk.
And, of course, outside there is a garden with different levels and stairs, full of smells and herbs and colours and a statue of Mary Queen of Scots, who was born in Linlithgow.
I could go on and on. This is a truly excellent museum, and I recommend it.
[NOTE - Museum only open start April to end October (2011 period), but tours can be arranged at any time of the year. Email them at enquiries@annethousemuseum.org.uk]
Another town museum that is worth much more than just a token cursory glance. For it is here that you will learn why every other woman in the town is called Mary. I jest. This used to be called The Linlithgow Story, but some changes have taken place, and it is now as fine a museum as you will find anywhere in the country. The museum is housed in one of Linlithgow's charming old buildings. Annet House was built in 1787 for a merchant. There are a number of floors inside accessed via a stairway, and in all the rooms there are seriously fine displays informing you about all sorts of stuff to do with the town.
You can, for example, see material found on the site of the 1526 Battle of Linlithgow Bridge, like a cannonball, halberd blade and dagger hilt.
Or a model of the wonderfully carved Crosswell, as constructed by Robert Gray, a stonemason from Edinburgh. The well is remarkable not just for the intricacy of the carving, but because the stonemason Robert Gray only had one arm!
You can also see two huge flags: the colours of the Scotch Brigade, saved before the brigade was reluctantly renamed The 94th Regiment of Foot and the colours changed in 1803.
Upstairs there are also some magnificent old sections of painted ceiling dating to c1700, as saved from the Golden Cross Tavern in Linlithgow. If only they could talk.
And, of course, outside there is a garden with different levels and stairs, full of smells and herbs and colours and a statue of Mary Queen of Scots, who was born in Linlithgow.
I could go on and on. This is a truly excellent museum, and I recommend it.
[NOTE - Museum only open start April to end October (2011 period), but tours can be arranged at any time of the year. Email them at enquiries@annethousemuseum.org.uk]
LINLITHGOW PALACE
A magnificent ruin of a place that was once home to most of the Stewart Kings, although, as I'm sure you understand, not all at the same time. It's walls are in sufficiently sturdy a state to allow you to creep up narrow stairways to the topmost top where narrow exposed walkways allow entry into small lofty rooms with tiny fireplaces. [Check out Historic Scotland's Linlithgow Palace page]
A magnificent ruin of a place that was once home to most of the Stewart Kings, although, as I'm sure you understand, not all at the same time. It's walls are in sufficiently sturdy a state to allow you to creep up narrow stairways to the topmost top where narrow exposed walkways allow entry into small lofty rooms with tiny fireplaces. [Check out Historic Scotland's Linlithgow Palace page]
A LITTLE WALK
Lots of opportunity to walk in the area. The map you should carry is the Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 65, 'Falkirk & Linlithgow', 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile. A pleasant short walk would simply be around Linlithgow Loch. Just go down to the loch and you'll find a path and signs. It's only about 2 miles, and will take you almost an hour.
Alternatively, you can follow the Union Canal footpath. One way will lead towards Falkirk (~8 miles. NOTE - It is essential to carry a torch as there is a long and potentially dangerous tunnel near Falkirk). The other direction will lead to less distinct places like Winchburgh and Broxburn, and in the direction of Edinburgh (far far away).
If you're just looking for a small dander that will create a drouth for ale, then I would recommend the walk around the loch.
Lots of opportunity to walk in the area. The map you should carry is the Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 65, 'Falkirk & Linlithgow', 1:50000 scale or one-and-a-quarter inches to a mile. A pleasant short walk would simply be around Linlithgow Loch. Just go down to the loch and you'll find a path and signs. It's only about 2 miles, and will take you almost an hour.
Alternatively, you can follow the Union Canal footpath. One way will lead towards Falkirk (~8 miles. NOTE - It is essential to carry a torch as there is a long and potentially dangerous tunnel near Falkirk). The other direction will lead to less distinct places like Winchburgh and Broxburn, and in the direction of Edinburgh (far far away).
If you're just looking for a small dander that will create a drouth for ale, then I would recommend the walk around the loch.
RATING
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