20 Attractions to Explore Near Torphichen Preceptory Historic Scotland

Cairnpapple Hill is a hill with a dominating position in central lowland Scotland with views from coast to coast. It was used and re-used as a major ritual site over about 4000 years, and in its day would have been comparable to better known sites like the Standing Stones of Stenness. The summit lies 312 m above sea level, and is about 2 miles north of Bathgate. In the 19th century the site was completely concealed by trees, then in 1947–1948 excavations by Stuart Piggott found a series of ritua

The 12th century ‘refuge stone’ marks the boundary of Torphichen which was held by the Knights of St John Hospitallers of Jerusalem where they established a Preceptory in 1124. It is one of a number of surviving boundary stones around the village. West Lothian Council worked in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland to carry out the £1000 restoration project.

Cockleroi or Cockleroy is a prominent hill in Scotland. It is Linlithgow's local hill. At its summit is a Bronze-Age hill fort known as Wallace's Bed or Wallace's Cradle, which is very similar in structure to another on the nearby Bowden Hill. Also at the summit are an Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar and a geographical indicator.

Muiravonside is Falkirk’s only Country Park, providing 170 acres of stunning woodland and parkland, a mini demonstration farm, a sculpture trail, children’s play area and a café at the Visitor Hub courtyard. The park is free to access all year round and offers spectacular scenery accessible through a network of paths. The site is managed by Falkirk Community Trust.

This is the second largest aqueduct in Britain and the largest in Scotland. It measures 247m long, 25.9m high and 7.2 m wide. All three aqueducts on the canal use the same construction of hollow stone piers and arches spanning 50 ft. The water is channeled over in an iron trough. The canal's engineer Hugh Baird consulted Thomas Telford over this innovative design. There are canal boat trips to the aqueduct from Linlithgow.

Bathgate's well established Bennie Museum is currently running a fascinating 'Museum of Childhood' exhibition, which depicts and shows aspects of life from the perspective of Bathgate's children from years gone by. This includes vintage toys, books and games. It wasopened in 1989 as a museum of Bathgate’s history and life.

A beautiful 370 hectare Country Park located in the Bathgate Hills near historic Linlithgow town. One of three Country Parks in West Lothian, sister Parks are Almondell & Calderwood and Polkemmet Country Parks. It is the largest of West Lothian's 3 Country Parks and offers miles of woodland paths and trails to explore by foot, bike or horse as well as a wide range of leisure and recreational opportunities.

Beecraigs Loch, was built by German Prisoners of War. They were based in a work camp and had been sent from Stobs Camp near Hawick. Clay and stone was used to build the dam wall, this stone was quarried from Riccarton Hill and brought down the slopes to the site using a winch-powered railway. By 1918 the 8 hectare reservoir, holding 82 million gallons of water, began serving as a local water supply and continued to do so for 55 years.

Almond Castle is a ruined L-plan castle dating from the 15th century. It is located 3 miles west of Linlithgow, and north of the Union Canal, in Falkirk, Scotland. It was known as Haining Castle until the 17th century. The structure is unsound and is protected as a scheduled monument. The ruin has a vaulted basement. The hall was on the first floor, while there is a kitchen in the wing. There is a courtyard, with a wall and ditch, enclosing the remains of 16th-century buildings.

A really intresting museum located in the centre of Linlithgow within the Partnership CentreTheir three galleries will help you explore the town’s royal connections, understand its industrial past, and learn what ‘Life by the Loch’ was really like. Exhibitions in our community space will bring you closer to the Linlithgow residents of today.

The present structure was built in 1807 and is an imitation of the previous Cross Well that was built in 1660. The 1660 version in turn replaced an earlier structure which was destroyed by Cromwell's army. I believe, but unfortunately have been unable to confirm, that one of those earlier Cross Wells was removed to the courtyard of Linlithgow Palace. Carvings from this 17th C. well-head, which were rediscovered in a store-room in 1997, are on display in the Linlithgow Story Museum in Annet House

The ruins of Linlithgow Palace are situated in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles (24 km) west of Edinburgh. The palace was one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs left for England in 1603, the palace was little used, and was burned out in 1746. It is now a visitor attraction in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Linlithgow Loch is a shallow freshwater lake in West Lothian, Scotland. It has a mean depth of 2.3m and a maximum depth of 9.2m (SNH 2008). It was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1984 because it is the only lowland mesotrophic loch in West Lothian. Its botanical and ornithological interests also contributed to its SSSI status. In 2008, the status of Linlithgow Loch was revised from mesotrophic to eutrophic and the ornithological interests were removed as a characteristic att

Dechmont Law is a hill in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. It lies around 700 yards southwest of the village of Dechmont, which provides its name. It is known locally as "Decky Hill" or as "Dechmont Hill". "Deer Hill" is another peak of the same hill, to the northeast of the main peak. It is the highest hill in the Livingston area, and Arthur's Seat and the Pentland Hills can be seen from here, as well as a view down the Almond valley.

Eliburn is an area, primarily residential, in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland. Eliburn is borderd by Deans to the north, Ladywell to the west and Livingston Village to the south. It has play areas for ages 3-18 years, car park, picnic area, woodland walks around the reservoir, 3 football pitches, a kick pitch, pavilion and a path network that joins up with Livingston’s extensive foot/cycle path network

Deer Park is a leading Scottish country club, from their championship golf course to the serene and tranquil leisure facilities, a wide range of experiences are on offer here. It was also an attractive wedding venue too. In summary, Deer Park comprises an 18 hole championship golf course, a fantastic restaurant, Tenpin Bowling, relaxing spa and excellent gym facilities.

An impressive historic country house with some of the best examples of Rennaisance Art, open on selected days and surrounded by parkland and woodland which includes remains of a Roman Fortlet and the Antonine Wall. Kinneil Museum displays '2000 Years of History' from Roman times to the present day. The museum is 'We're Good to Go' certified.

The fields, woods and green spaces of the Almond Valley site extend either side of the river Almond for nearly a mile. At its heart lies the historic buildings of Livingston Mill and the associated Mill Farm. This is home to many friendly farm animals who are always keen to introduce themselves to visitors. Elsewhere on site, there are all manner of unique and imaginative play spaces set among the fields and gardens.

A beautiful 68 hectare visitor attraction near Whitburn with woodland walks, play area, picnic & BBQ facilities, Visitor Centre, golf course, driving range, bowling green and home also to the Scottish Owl Centre. It is adjacent to the M8 motorway, 2 kilometres east of the "Heart of Scotland" services at Harthill. It was developed on the estate of Polkemmet House, a country house which was demolished in the 1960s.