ABOUT LINLITHGOW

One of Scotland's Royal and Ancient Burghs, situated on the Union Canal, south of the M9 motorway, some 18 miles (29 km) west of Edinburgh. Linlithgow's palace, church and commercial privileges contributed to its grandeur and important role in Scottish history.

A Roman fort or station was at Linlithgow and there appears to have been a chapel here before the 12th Century. The central redevelopment of the town by the architectural practice Rowand Anderson, Kininmonth & Paul (1967) lies somewhat incongruously with the historic buildings which surround it. However, Linlithgow remains a picturesque town, with enjoyable walks along the canal, through its old streets and around the loch overlooked by the palace.

The National Trust for Scotland has restored houses along the High Street, while the history of the Union Canal is well illustrated at the Canal Museum (1822). Linlithgow Loch is a bird sanctuary with canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. The church of St Michael's is one of Britain's most striking parish churches with its spire of timber and aluminium (erected 1964).

It was rebuilt following the fire of 1424, and during the Reformation in 1559 was 'cleansed' of its statues, though that of St Michael was overlooked. Linlithgow was represented in the Scottish Parliament from 1366 and two years later it joined the Court of the Four Burghs. The original group included Edinburgh, Stirling, Berwick and Roxburgh, yet the last two were then in English hands requiring others to join. The town also had the sole rights to the coastal trade along the south shore of the Forth between the Cramond and the Avon rivers. Linlithgow grew rich principally through customs duties: in 1369 its yields were second only to Edinburgh's.

In the 19th Century, it attempted to reassert these rights by levying duties on goods transported by rail. The resulting litigation went to the House of Lords and bankrupted the town. It instead had to rely on its industries of leather, paper and calico printing. The memorial (1875) to James Stuart, Regent of Scotland and Earl of Moray (1531 - 1570), who was murdered in Linlithgow, which can be found on the High Street, includes a relief bust by Amelia Paton, wife of the noted pioneer of photography David Octavius Hill.