Linlithgow Palace

Of all the ruins and castles I have visited, Linlithgow is one of my favourites. Maybe it's because of the spectacular views from the castle. Maybe it's because it is one of the least crowded castles I have visited. There was exactly one other family wandering through the day I went. Or perhaps it has always stuck out in my mind thanks to the friendly retired army officer who manned the front souvenir and ticket room.
It's a short train journey from Edinburgh. Two or three stations, if I remember correctly. So if you're in the area, and castles are your thing, it's definitely worth a visit.

You enter the palace from a side door, however if you make your way around to the main entrance, the first thing you see beyond the massive doors is the courtyard fountain.

It is beautifully intricate. It rather surprised me, finding something so well made up in Scotland. It's then that you remember that the Scottish (before joining with England) relied heavily on French assistance in their wars with the English crown. And despite Scotland being considered 'the wilds', they had some amazing architecture. 

The palace is entirely a ruin, make no mistake. Unlike the other Scottish castles and palaces, there are no restored rooms. No furnished suites. And very little by way of additional learning sources. There is a gallery which holds cases of artefacts. And the rooms that were occupied by Mary of Guise (Mary of Scots mother) and by Queen Mary of Scots herself have tablets and plaques with some information on them. 

You will see boards, like this one in the foreground, detailing the events that happened in some of the rooms. These boards are also around the castle grounds, with information about its history.

In your wanderings, don't forget to look out the windows. The views are spectacular! Catch the light correctly, and you have screensavers for the next year. This is one of my faves views from the castle.

Another thing that you shouldn't miss is the great hall. This would have been the scene for many a banquet in the palace's heyday. Fortunes were made and broken here. Power flowed as did the fine wines. There's a minstrel's gallery you can walk along, as well as the corridors along which food would have been conveyed.

Something else you shouldn't miss is the walk around the lake. It takes about an hour, and you will need wellies. It's quite slushy in some places. However the vistas of the castle from various angles are fantastic. Some of the houses along the lake are gorgeous too, and well worth passing by.

The castle is famous for being the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. It is also rumoured to be haunted by her mother, Mary of Guise.

If you love history, it is something that you most definitely should not miss.

Till next time,

MumbaiGirl.

IG: @maryannecp