Getting There
Northbound route only
Leave the M9 at Junction 3 and turn left to follow the A803 signed Linlithgow. Enter Linlithgow and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit signed A803 Falkirk, Stirling and a brown sign to Linlithgow Palace. There is a Tesco on this roundabout if picnic supplies are needed.
In the centre of the town turn right at the brown sign to Linlithgow Palace and continue through a gatehouse to park in the Palace car park.
Return to M9 northbound
Exit Linlithgow Palace and turn right onto the A803. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A803 and continue ahead to return to the M9 northbound.
Linlithgow Palace
Length of walk: 30 minutes or longer
This can be just a short walk around the perimeter and slopes of the palace, and although dogs need to be more controlled here than on most of the Driving with Dogs walks it didn’t seem very likely that anyone would want to drive past one of Scotland’s most famous buildings without taking a look.
Walk down the grassy slopes of the hill from the gatehouse, where there is a criss-crossing of paths leading down to Linlithgow Loch. Turn right at the water and then amble around the base of the palace grounds to return up the slope to the car park from the rear of the palace.
For a longer walk, follow the path down to the loch where there is a signed path leading to a path around the loch. This will please the pooch more than the shorter version, but if you are not visiting the castle then it would be kinder to park in the town rather than in the small-ish palace car park. There seems to be plenty of parking bays in the town.
An alternative walk to Linlithgow is at the Beecraigs Country Park, and the details for this are here.
While you’re there
The prosperous little town of Linlithgow bustles purposefully, with fair trade shops and a wide choice of cafes and restaurants.
There is an entry charge for the palace of £5.20 (adults).
Take a boat ride on the loch – starting from the jetty below the palace.
Facilities
Free car park. Disabled access to palace, and hard surface paths. WCs and many cafes and restaurants in the town. Dog poo bins.
Useful links
Linlithgow Palace
Visit website
The Linlithgow Canal Centre
Visit website