Photo of Linlithgow Palace, a ruined palace in West Lothian, central Scotland.

Linlithgow Palace© Philip Halling / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Places to explore in West LothianScotland · Central Scotland

Small and once heavily industrial, West Lothian rises from the Forth shore to the moorland of the Bathgate Hills, its ground still marked by the red shale bings left by the Victorian oil boom, the first industry of its kind in the world. At its heart stands Linlithgow Palace, the lochside birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, now a roofless shell above the water. The Union Canal crosses the county on its way to Edinburgh, carried over the river gorge on the great Avon Aqueduct, and there is walking and water in the country parks at Beecraigs and Almondell.

The best of West Lothianworth the trip

Photo of Linlithgow Palace, a ruined palace in West Lothian, central Scotland.

Linlithgow Palace

Palace near Linlithgow

Ruined royal palace beside its loch.

Photo of Avon Aqueduct, a landmark near Torphichen, West Lothian, central Scotland.

Avon Aqueduct

Landmark near Torphichen

Scotland's longest and tallest aqueduct, carrying the Union Canal high above the River Avon near Linlithgow on twelve arches.

Photo of Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, a country park near Livingston South, West Lothian, central Scotland.

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park

Country park near Livingston South

A wooded river-valley park on the Almond near East Calder with riverside walks and a Victorian visitor centre.

Photo of Beecraigs Country Park, a country park near Linlithgow, West Lothian, central Scotland.

Beecraigs Country Park

Country park near Linlithgow

A hill country park above Linlithgow with a loch, deer farm, trout ponds and forest trails in the Bathgate Hills.

Photo of Hopetoun House, a garden near South Queensferry, West Lothian, central Scotland.

Hopetoun House

Garden near South Queensferry

Grand Adam-designed mansion with sweeping parkland and formal gardens above the Firth of Forth.

Photo along the John Muir Way, a long-distance trail running from Helensburgh to Dunbar, Scotland.

John Muir Way

Scotland's Great Trail

A coast-to-coast across Scotland's waist, from Helensburgh to the conservationist's birthplace at Dunbar.

215 km · spans 9 counties

Photo of Linlithgow, a village in West Lothian, central Scotland.

Linlithgow

A historic royal burgh beside its loch, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and site of the great palace ruin.

West Lothian

Nature reserves in West Lothian 3

Castles & strongholds in West Lothian 5

Trails in West Lothian 3

John Muir Way215 km
Cross Borders Drove Road84 km
Forth & Clyde and Union Canal Towpath106 km

Villages & towns in West Lothian 2

Houses & gardens in West Lothian 1

Hopetoun House

Other sights in West Lothian 1

Avon Aqueduct

Churches in West Lothian 2

Hills & peaks in West Lothian 2

West Cairn Hill562 m
Ballencrieff Hill312 m

Ancient stones in West Lothian 1

Torphichen Preceptoryearthworks

Battlefields in West Lothian 1

Battle of Linlithgow Bridge

Pubs & restaurants in West Lothian 1

The Four Marys

Roman sites in West Lothian 1

Camilty Hill, Roman fortlet, Castle Gregearthworks

Waterways in West Lothian 1

Union Canal