Alles over Edinburgh
West Lothian
Linlithgow | Blackness | The Binns
Midhope
Linlithgow Scotland
Linlithgow's Town has grown from the Palace and Church with houses built nearby to what it is today.
This area was already a small town circa 1100 Edward I, Edward II, Mary Queen of Scots, Malcolm IV and William the Lion are known to have lived in Linlithgow Palace
LINLITHGOW PALACE
Originally built on the site of a great manor house circa 1145 when David I was in residence. It was King Edward I in 1301 that first built a wooden stronghold around the Manor House and St Michael’s Church.
The stronghold remained in English hands for over 13 years until the English were defeated at Bannockburn by King Robert I in 1314 and he reclaimed the Palace for Scotland. The future saw many English invasion of Scotland the Town and stronghold were burnt to the ground with only
St Michael’s church surviving.
The rebuilding of the stronghold took place over a long period by a succession of Kings starting with James I in 1425 and continued by James III, James IV, James V and James VI.
James IV left Linlithgow Palace he was never to return to Linlithgow Palace as he led the battle at Flodden and was the last monarch to die in battle (1513).
James IV son was born at Linlithgow Palace in April 1512 as was his daughter Mary a few days after James V died in December 1542.
Linlithgow Palace has many residents Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here in 1745. The government troops led by the Duke of Cumberland on leaving in pursuit of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite army set the Palace on fire in February of 1746. This was a common practice by the English as Cromwell’s troops set alight Holyrood Palace when leaving in 1650 on their way to Linlithgow. The palace you see today is much as it was left by Cumberland's troops in 1746.
The remains of Linlithgow Palace that you can see today were there legacy. The completion of Linlithgow Palace took until circa 1620.
LINLITHGOW PALACE FOUNTAIN
The Linlithgow Palace Fountain seen on the square before the entrance to Linlithgow Palace. Was built on instruction by James V in 1537. The fountain seen in the grounds of
Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh is a replica of this fountain.
Linlithgow Palace
Fore Entrance
The Carvings of Coat of Arms above the Fore Entrance to Linlithgow Palace are replicas of the originals.
They were designed to proclaim James V’s importance on the international stage.
The gate was built in 1536 by
James V to give Linlithgow Palace
a more impressive entrance.
The Armorials from left to right
above the gate;
The order of the Garter was bestowed on James V by his uncle,
Henry VIII of England.
The Order of the Thistle was possibly founded by James V.
The Order of the Golden Fleece
was given to the King
by the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V.
The Order of St Michael was presented by Francis I of France.
St Michael's Church Linlithgow
On 22nd May 1242, the Church of
St Michael of Linlithgow was consecrated
by the Bishop of St Andrews
St Michael's church over the centuries has been burnt
damaged used as a store house, stables and barracks.
It has even been used by the University of Edinburgh during the plague.
St. Michael's Church on celebrating its 750th anniversary
reinstalled a new stained glass window
in the St. Katherine's Aisle.
The window is designed around the theme of Pentecost and is a must see.
This is a magnificent Church which has had many of the rulers of Scotland attend.
St Michael’s Church Pulpit
The Gothic timber pulpit is surrounded by 3 carvings of
Queens Elizabeth II, Mary Queen of Scots and St Margaret.
St Michael’s Church Stain Glass Window
St. Michael's Church on celebrating its 750th anniversary reinstalled a new stained glass window in the St. Katherine's Aisle. The window is designed around the theme of Pentecost and is a must see.
Linlithgow Cross Well
The Cross Well or fountain where fresh spring water flowed is where the town Cross stood. The Fountain in the shape of a Crown was erected in 1807. The original Cross Well was built in 1628, which the present one is an exact replica.
Mary Queen of Scots statue
Mary Queen of Scots statue in the grounds of
Linlithgow Palace where she was born.
St Michael's Statue Linlithgow
St. Michael is the patron saint of Linlithgow and also Kyiv in the Ukraine. The statue is a symbol of the
" Triumph of Good over Evil.”
THE INSCRIPTION READS:
St Michael
Assassination of Regent Moray
On January 23, 1570, James Stewart, the 1st Earl of Moray, was assassinated at age 38.
At the time he was the Regent of Scotland, and became the first head of government anywhere to be assassinated
by a gun.
James Stewart, the 1st Earl of Moray was born in 1531, Moray was the illegitimate son of King James V.
Regent Moray, was the half-brother to Mary Queen of Scots, and was partly responsible to Mary’s demise
James Hamilton of Bothwell Haugh held a grudge against Murray who had evicted his family from their homes.
On the day James Hamilton on knowing Moray would be passing through Linlithgow waited in his uncle’s house (The Archbishop John Hamilton) on the main Wynd (Street) of the town, and as Moray passed on horseback, he shot him. Moray had been shot below the navel, and survived, his death came later than night from the gun shot.
The Black Bitch
The black bitch is part of Linlithgow's coat of arms.
The story goes, a local who was chained to a tree on an island in Linlithgow Loch was sentenced to death by starvation.
The man after some time did not look any worse for being isolated on the island and it is said that his black greyhound had been swimming out to the island with food and water every night which his wife had provided.
The authorities were not amused and chained the dog to the tree beside his owner.
Linlithgow Museum (Annet House)
When in Linlithgow after seeing the Palace and St Michaels Church, just close by is the Annet House Museum which has many interesting exhibits which include a scale model of the Linlithgow Cross which stands at the foot of the short road to Linlithgow Palace. Another exhibit is the flags of the Scotch Brigade, one of Scotland's oldest infantry regiments and the exhibit that tells the story of Mary Queen of Scots and Linlithgow Palace. With the History and Heritage of Linlithgow and surrounding area take the trip.
Linlithgow Canal Centre
Ross Do’cot Linlithgow
The Ross Do’cot was built in the 16th century by the Baron Ross of Halkhead, and can be seen
opposite the Linlithgow Canal Centre.
Battle of Linlithgow Bridge 1526
In 1526, Margaret Tudor was Regent of Scotland and she persuaded the Earl of Lennox to raise an army to march on Edinburgh. James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran raised an army of 2500 and took up a position on Pace Hill overlooking Linlithgow and the River Avon. Lennox’s army surrendered after many loses at Pace hill and on the banks on the River Avon. Lennox was also injured but after his surrender was murdered and a cairn stands at the entrance to the Kettilstoun estate in his memorial. There is no trace of the cairn due to development in the area.
BLACKNESS CASTLE
was built in 1445 for the Crichton family one of Scotland's most powerful families. Blackness Castle was taken fro the Crichton's in 1453 by the then king James II.
This was a Castle that only Cromwell over came in 1650 during the rampage Cromwell led through Scotland burning everything he could.
The original entrance to the castle was blocked of circa 1550 and moved to face the sea making it harder to breach.
Blackness Castle was converted into a prison circa 1540
and was used to imprison the enemies of James V and held many famous prisoners of the crown.
Cardinal Beaton being the most famous.
Covenanters and later war prisoners from the wars with France, Spain and America it ceased to be a prison circa 1850
House of Binns West Lothian
The House of Binns ("the house of the hills") on the shores of the Firth of Forth in a landscaped parkland
(200 acres) close to Blackness Castle with views
of the 3 Bridges over the Forth.
The Binns has been home of the Dalyell’s for over 400 years. The present house being purchased in 1612 by Thomas Dalyell, an Edinburgh burgess, with connections to the court of King James VI of Scotland and 1st of England in London.
His son also Thomas (Royalist General Sir Tam Dalyell 1615 -1685) formed the regiment of Royal Scots Greys
The Last Sir Thomas Dalyell of the Binns, 11th Baronet was MP (Tam Dalyell) until his death on 26th January 2017.
On the Highest point of the Binns hill is a
Folly, Tower Standing from 1826.
Midhope in Beginning
Midhope Castle Outlander
Jamie Fraser’s, family home called
Lallybroch, or Broch Tuarach.
Midhope Castle is a 16th-century tower house and walled garden with a 17th-century Do’cot.
Located in Abercorn on the Hopetoun estate.
Near to The Binns and Blackness Castle historic buildings.
Midhope was owned by two sisters who both had separate homes in the late 1470’s after their father died Henry Graham of Mannerstoun without a male heir.
One married Robert Livingstone and the other
John Martyne. Over the next decades there were many names linked to the Midhope lands and property
The Drummonds of Midhope, owned the Midhope in the 16th and 17th centuries, and Alexander Drummond
built the tower in 1582 his initials AD with his wife’s MB (Marjorie Bruce) can be seen above the gateway.