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Linlithgow Palace

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Linlithgow Palace

Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian (EH49 7AL) • Lothian

star4.6(4,200)
Lothian
👑 Birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots ⛲ The Elaborate King's Fountain 🌊 Beautiful Loch-Side Setting 🏰 Massive Imposing Ruins
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scheduleDaily: 09:30 – 17:00 (Summer) / 10:00 – 16:00 (Winter). Last entry is 45 mins before closing.

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OFFICIAL bolt GetYourGuide

Outlander Filming Locations Day Tour (from Edinburgh)

Don't just visit one site! Upgrade to a full-day guided coach tour departing from Edinburgh. Visit Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), and Blackness Castle (Fort William) all in one day.

Standard £62.00
£62.00/ person
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Getting Here

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Location Address

Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian (EH49 7AL)

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Public Bus Services

Local bus lines operate frequent daily services directly to stops adjacent to the attraction entrance.

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Regional Transit Links

Connections
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Edinburgh Waverley

ScotRail

20 min
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Glasgow Queen Street

ScotRail

30 min

About Linlithgow Palace

Set strikingly beside a serene loch, Linlithgow Palace was the grand pleasure palace of the Stuart Kings. Despite being burned down in 1746, the massive, imposing red sandstone ruins remain breathtaking. Visitors can explore the vast Great Hall, marvel at the beautifully ornate King's Fountain (the oldest surviving in Britain), and walk the exact corridors famously used as Wentworth Prison in the hit TV series Outlander.

Quick Facts

  • 👑Birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots
  • ⛲The Elaborate King's Fountain
  • 🌊Beautiful Loch-Side Setting
  • 🏰Massive Imposing Ruins
  • scheduleDaily: 09:30 – 17:00 (Summer) / 10:00 – 16:00 (Winter). Last entry is 45 mins before closing.
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Insider Tips

  • check_circleFind the Outlander Corridors: If you are an Outlander fan, the entrance halls and sweeping stone corridors near the main gate were used to film the harrowing Wentworth Prison scenes.
  • check_circleTake the Train: Do not bother renting a car if you are just visiting from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Linlithgow sits perfectly on the main commuter rail line, and the palace is a 5-minute walk from the station.
  • check_circleDress for the weather: The palace is completely roofless. If it is raining, you will be exposed to the elements even when you are 'inside' the walls.
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What to Expect

1. The Courtyard & King's Fountain

Step into the vast central courtyard to view the intricately carved, three-tiered King's Fountain, which famously ran with wine during the visit of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

2. The Great Hall

Explore the sheer scale of the roofless Great Hall, featuring a magnificent original fireplace where the Scottish royal court once held lavish banquets.

3. Queen Margaret's Bower

Climb the spiral stone staircases to reach the highest surviving point of the palace, offering incredible panoramic views over Linlithgow Loch and the surrounding countryside.

4. Linlithgow Peel (The Loch)

After exploring the ruins, take a leisurely stroll around the perimeter of the adjacent loch (a haven for wildfowl) for the best exterior photo angles of the palace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Outlander filmed at Linlithgow Palace? expand_more

Yes. The dark entrance corridors and staircases of Linlithgow Palace were used as the filming location for Wentworth Prison in Season 1 of Outlander.

Why is Linlithgow Palace a ruin? expand_more

The palace was largely destroyed by a massive fire in January 1746. It is widely believed that the fire was started (either accidentally or deliberately) by the Duke of Cumberland's troops as they marched north in pursuit of the Jacobites.

Is Linlithgow Palace wheelchair accessible? expand_more

Access is very limited. Wheelchair users can access the cobbled central courtyard, but the upper floors, Great Hall, and viewpoints are only accessible via narrow, historic spiral stone staircases.

Explore the Area

Hopetoun House & Estate

Hopetoun House & Estate

Set in a sprawling 6,500-acre estate on the shores of the Firth of Forth, Hopetoun House is a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture. Serving as the magnificent seat of the Marquess of Linlithgow, the house features opulent state apartments, grand staircases, and vast manicured grounds. To modern audiences, it is globally famous as a major filming location for the TV series Outlander, serving as the Duke of Sandringham's home and the Ellesmere estate.

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Set around historic watermills alongside the River Almond, this massive site is the ultimate family day out in West Lothian. It brilliantly combines a hands-on petting farm with massive indoor and outdoor play spaces, making it completely weather-proof. Kids can ride the narrow-gauge railway, bounce on giant jumping pillows, and explore the multi-level soft play, while adults will appreciate the excellent on-site museum detailing Scotland's unique shale oil history.

Five Sisters Zoo

Five Sisters Zoo

Five Sisters Zoo has one of the most heartwarming histories in the UK. Originally a small garden center, it has grown into a massive sanctuary for rescued animals. The zoo famously fundraised to rescue abused ex-circus bears and lions from across Europe, providing them with spectacular, multi-acre woodland enclosures. Alongside the big cats and bears, families can explore walk-through lemur enclosures, see snow leopards, and let the kids loose in the massive indoor soft play area.

Top Rated Hotels Nearby

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Court Residence

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Local Car Rentals

Explore the beauty of Lothian at your own pace. Hire a car from trusted agencies nearby.

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VW Polo or similar (Economy)

Manual • 5 seats • Hertz

£35/day
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Nissan Qashqai or similar (SUV)

Automatic • 5 seats • Enterprise

£68/day
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