Just 20 minutes on the train from Edinburgh lies Linlithgow Palace, the birth place of Mary, Queen of Scots.
It’s now a ruined shell, but nevertheless possesses a distinguished, stately air.
When I first stepped into the palace, I entered the courtyard above and at first glance it didn’t look as though there’d be much to see or that it would take long to tour.
But as I began to explore the old palace, it turned out there were countless nooks, crannies, rooms, stairways and passages to discover, and it was something of an unexpected maze.
Going up a narrow flight of stairs not sure where I’d end up, only to find I was in a giant hall or another dark passage with another set of stairs at the end of it, was great fun.
It’s not until I started wandering around that I realised the palace is much bigger than it appears from the outside, it also boasts scenic views over Linlithgow Loch and the surrounding park.
Definitely worth a half-day trip if you’re visiting Edinburgh.
Info
Linlithgow Palace, Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian EH49 7AL
Open 9.30am to 5.30pm (1 April to 30 September), 10am to 4pm (1 October to 31 March)
£5.50 adults, £3.30 children, £4.40 concessions
historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/
Little Old World 