5 Iconic Buildings to Explore in West Lothian

Checkout places to visit in West Lothian

West Lothian

West Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and was one of its historic counties. The county, which was known as Linlithgowshire,was bounded geographically by the Avon to the west and the Almond to the east. The modern council area occupies a larger area than the historic county.

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Iconic Buildings to Explore in West Lothian

Cairns Castle, Scotland

Cairns Castle is though to have been built around 1440, and comprises of a rectangular main tower attached to which was a smaller square wing. The castle stands on a raised mound jutting out into the Harperrig Reservoir where it is fed by the Water of Leith. It has been a Scheduled Monument since 30 November 1981. It was a category B listed building until it was de-listed in 2015.

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House is Scotland's finest stately home and is a place of outstanding natural beauty and has been home to the Hope family since 1699. During the summer months, parts of the castle and gardens are open to visitors. Classical musical recitals are occasionally put on at Hopetoun House. Chilean pianist Alfredo Perl once performed recitals of Chopin at the house. The site can also be let for weddings, conferences, and filming.

House Of The Binns

The House of the Binns, or simply the Binns, is a historic house in West Lothian, Scotland, the seat of the Dalyell family. It dates from the early 17th century, and was the home of Tam Dalyell until his death in January 2017.Since 1944, this grand home has been in the care of the National Trust for Scotland on the proviso that ‘the history, legend and memory of the family’ are preserved and that subsequent generations retain the right to live there.

Linlithgow Palace

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.

Midhope Castle

Midhope Castle is a 16th-century tower house of five storeys and a garret, to which has been added a later and lower wing. Two-storey bartizans crown three of the corners, although their conical roofs have gone, a caphouse for the stair crowning the fourth. The roof is steeply pitched. The tower forms one side of a courtyard, and there is a fine walled garden and a 17th-century lectern doocot.

Map of Iconic Buildings to explore in West Lothian