18 Newsletter eighteen - Wallace`s Arthouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

WALLACE’S ARTHOUSE SCOTLAND
NEWSLETTER EIGHTEEN 24th JULY 2011
VISIT TO LINLITHGOW
I had not been to Linlithgow for many many years and suddenly took a notion to go and
investigate what is it all about. It was once an extremely important centre for the
Scottish Royal Family. It only takes about half an hour by train from Edinburgh and is
great for small shops and kids will find plenty to enjoy in many places around the burgh.
Origins
Linlithgow's origins are lost in the mists of time. It is likely that the town grew up around
the royal residence. By the beginning of the 12th Century King David 1st's Charter
reveals it already well established as a burgh with a mansion and a church, given by
King David to the newly founded Augustinian Priory of St Andrews. Malcolm IV and
William the Lion are known to have lived in Linlithgow occasionally and there was a
school in William's reign.
There are many early spellings and name is said to mean "loch in a damp hollow" from
llyn (loch), laith (damp) and cau (a hollow)
The Royal Charter
In 1349 the Black Death (the plague) reached Scotland and killed a third of the
population of Edinburgh. The King, parliament and court took refuge in Linlithgow and
gallows were installed at all the burgh ports, as part of the drastic measures to prevent
plague carriers from entering the town.
Linlithgow was a busy place, outstripping Stirling. In 1368 it was made one of the Court
of Four Burghs and was given custody of the standard grain measures the boll, firlot
and peck.
In 1389 the Burgh obtained its Royal Charter from Robert II
I was lucky to stroll into the recently refurbished
Burgh Halls. They have a warm cafe and delightfully
laid out gardens with a statue which they call “The
Green Man”
l liked the detailing on this statue of John Hope,
Governor General of Australia and first Marquis of
Linlithgow The north west corner of The Cross is
occupied by Cross House, built in 1700 and now used
for church and community meetings. Between Cross
House and the Burgh Halls the Kirkgate leads up to
Linlithgow Palace and St Michael's Church.
In the gallery part of the Halls was a small exhibition of
the paintings of Alan Davie - what a great colourist he
is. The more I see the better I like him.
A short walk up the side of the Burgh Halls brings you to the Saint Michael’s Church and Linlithgow
Palace. The church is a medieval delight but has been over zealously decorated - I say defaced - with
tacky papers for the various church organisations. There should be a law against such eagernesses
from the church organisers. I have seen such desecration before at the newly renovated St George’s
Church in Glasgow.. Anyway, at some point there have been good aesthetic influences on the place.
The church was dedicated in 1242. Much of what can be seen today dates from the 15th century. The
current nave was completed in the first half of the century and the chancel in the second half.
There are some marvellous
broken bits around the
Palace of Linlithgow. Here
in Scotland we might call
them “boogly bits”
- all
scary and adventurous as a
kid’s book should be if it is
describing a historical
place.with heroics and
gruesome killings All good
for the imagination
LINLITHGOW PALACE was a royal palace from about 1301 but the present palace
was started about 1424 and its construction continued over two centuries. King James
V was born here as was his daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. King Charles I
was the last monarch to live here and the Scottish parliament sat for several sessions in
Linlithgow. Bonnie Prince Charlie was entertained here but after the soldiers of the
Duke of Cumberland were billeted in the palace there was a huge fire and the building
has remained a gutted ruin ever since.
On the adjoining loch - scottish for lake - I could see it was possible to hire a rowing
boat. Certainly it is a very scenic place for a romantic walk !!
Apart from the Palace and the Church there is plenty to see and do in Linlithgow. There
are the Forth and Clyde / Union canals which joined Edinburgh and Glasgow as a
means of watery transportation. It was created in 1840 and is 35 miles long. Today it
has been well developed as a tourist site with the Falkirk Wheel and several other
facilities such as boat cruises, a museum and a coffee shop..
There is a Folk Festival in September which runs for 4/5 days.
This has now been running for 11 years. They run workshops
while the event is in progress - whistles, singing and instrumental.
ANNET HOUSE is a charming museum with a remarkably sweet terraced garden where one
can learn about plants past and present. The museum has info about the Stewart Kings and
about the industries in the royal burgh They are having an exhibition about Mary, Queen of
Scots and have had one about Linen and Lace
WALLACE’S ARTHOUSE SCOTLAND 41/4 Constitution Street, Edinburgh, EH6 7BG, Scotland, UK. Tel +44 0131 538 3320 cel +44 07941 343 714
email cawallaceshaw@mac.com