Linlithgow was a royal villa. From this period (16th and 17th centuries) many residences remain in the tranquil High Street .
The highlight point is the Linlithgow's palace . At its origins it was a residence that Edward I built around 1302.
At the beginning of the 15th century James I started the enlargement that culminated with James V, who built the Great Hall for his wedding with Margaret Tudor in 1503. James V and his daughter Mary Stuart were born and they lived here. During this époque the palace was splendid and spectacular. The decline began when James VI moved to London.
Crommwell occupied it for a time. Bonnie Prince Charlie made a brief stay when he was escaping from the Duke of Cumberland troop, which set fire to the building. Unfortunately the palace remains like this since then.
Although the palace is almost in ruins, it goes on being formidable due to the dimensions and height.
It is easy to imagine the splendour of the Stuart's court. In addition this Renaissance palace dominates a lake. It keeps a nice courtyard with a beautiful octagonal fountain. Go upstairs to the towers to admire the landscape and the panoramas.
The church of Saint Michael , in a Flemish Gothic style, was the biggest church in Scotland before the Reform. The fortified tower is very peculiar.
It is a pleasure to walk through the big rooms, going up and down across the spiral staircases and passages, looking though the windows towards the elegant interior yard or the exterior lake.
I would estimate a two hours visit. In the afternoon we drove towards Edinburgh.
