West Lothian - 33 Attractions You Must Visit

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About 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.

Types of Attractions in West Lothian

Activities Around

List of Attractions in West Lothian

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace

Iconic Buildings

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.

Livingston Skate Park

Livingston Skate Park

Parks

Man-made Structures- Other

Livingston skatepark is an all concrete park that has existed since the 80s and has recently had a revamp to bring some of the features into the 21st century. It can be found next to the River Almond solely features transitions. It is an example of a free, unsupervised facility which achieved international status. The skatepark was extended during the 1990s with the addition of some smaller bowls. A further extension was added in 2013 adding a fullpipe, pools, square bowl and a new smaller stree

Midhope Castle

Midhope Castle

Iconic Buildings

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.

Military Museum Scotland

Military Museum Scotland is a wee gem in West Lothians Tourism map. A Scottish Tourism Award winning museum. It is a hands on museum where visitors get to handle most of the artefacts. Indoor and outdoor displays. We also have a Cafe and Gift shop. It covers Scottish military history from World War I right up to the present day. 95% of the displays are out and free from glass screens, so most artefacts can be handled.

Nasmyth Bridge

The Nasmyth Bridge crosses the River Almond a half-mile north of East Calder in West Lothian, beyond the Camps Viaduct. It was commissioned by Henry Erskine to provide a southern access to Almondell, his country estate. This romantic bridge was built in sandstone ashlar c.1800 to the designs of Alexander Nasmyth and features two rustic arches of different spans, together with a crenellated parapet and balustrade.

Niddry Castle Golf Club

Niddry Castle Golf Club was located only a few minutes from Edinburgh Airport and within easy reach of Scotland's motorway network. It is an 18-hole, par 70, 5914 yard course. The course is suitable for all levels & ability and benefits from magnificent views towards the Pentland Hills.

Polkemmet Country Park

Polkemmet Country Park

Outdoors- Other

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.

Refuge Stone

Refuge Stone

Outdoors- Other

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.

The Cross Well

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

Torphichen Preceptory Historic Scotland

Torphichen Preceptory Historic Scotland

Man-made Structures- Other

Old Ruins

Torphichen Preceptory is an unusual remnant of a little known corner of Scottish history. It comprises the tower and the two transepts of the church associated with the Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. The Order maintained just two such establishments in Britain, the other being in London.

Union Canal

Union Canal

Man-made Structures- Other

The Union Canal is one of two Lowland canals in Scotland. After four years' construction it opened in 1822 and was known as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal. The name reflected the role of the canal, linking Edinburgh with the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk and so providing a through route between Scotland's two major cities.

West Cairn Hill

West Cairn Hill

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

West Cairn Hill is a summit in the Pentland Hills region or range in Scotland. West Cairn Hill is 562 metres high. All the walking routes up West Cairn Hill on Mud and Routes can be found below. The Cauldstane Slap pass runs at the saddle point between West and East Cairn Hill. The surrounding hills include Colzium Hill and Torweaving Hill in the southwest, East Cairn Hill in the northeast, and Wether Law in the east.

Map of attractions in West Lothian

Comments

For more information about West Lothian, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Lothian