Linlithgow walks: choose a route for your day
Linlithgow Palace · Last updated
Choose the walk that fits your day
Compare 11 waterside, woodland and heritage choices, then save your plan.
Loch circuit
A complete waterside loop
- Distance
- 2.3 miles for the circuit only
- Ground
- Compacted gravel
- Start
- Palace and Peel area
- Before you choose
- Station transfers and palace walking are extra. Gravel and current conditions may affect access; this is not a step-free guarantee.
Route information: Historic Environment Scotland.
Plan the full loch circuitShort Peel visit
A flexible outdoor extra near the palace
- Distance
- Choose your turnaround; no fixed circuit length
- Ground
- Grassed park and available loch-path sections
- Start
- Palace grounds
- Before you choose
- This is an editorial out-and-back option, not a named measured trail. Wet grass and uneven ground can change your choice.
Route information: Historic Environment Scotland.
Check the Peel and park choicesCanal towpath
Canal-side walking instead of a loch loop
- Distance
- Choose your turnaround; no fixed distance here
- Ground
- Shared towpath; check the exact section
- Start
- Canal Centre area
- Before you choose
- A path visit does not include a boat trip. The regular 2026 public-trip season has ended; check current waterway notices and give other users room.
Route information: Scottish Canals and LUCS.
Plan a canal-side visitBeecraigs woodland
A countryside outing focused on woodland
- Distance
- Varies by route; use the council map
- Ground
- Woodland tracks and waymarked routes
- Start
- Beecraigs Country Park; separate arrival from town
- Before you choose
- This is not a town-centre loop. Choose a route from the current council map and check its surface, length and facilities before leaving.
Route information: West Lothian Council.
Plan the country-park visitTown heritage
Buildings and local history without a countryside transfer
- Distance
- Flexible town-centre trail; no fixed distance stated
- Ground
- Town streets and pavements
- Start
- The Cross is the suggested start
- Before you choose
- Indoor stops have separate opening times. A trail leaflet is available from Burgh Halls.
Historic pub trail
Local pub history as part of a town visit
- Distance
- Choose your stops; no fixed distance stated
- Ground
- Town streets between historic pubs
- Start
- Choose a convenient point in town
- Before you choose
- Check opening times and plan a non-driving journey home if drinking. This is not a countryside loop.
Route information: MyLinlithgow heritage trails.
Read the route at MyLinlithgowBattlefield trail
Following the story of the 1526 battle
- Distance
- About 4 km
- Ground
- Relatively flat; some paths can be muddy
- Start
- Linlithgow Bridge battlefield area
- Before you choose
- This is a separate trail, not the loch circuit. Use the route description to locate the historical sites.
March stones
Finding the old burgh boundary markers
- Distance
- 4 miles / 6.5 km
- Ground
- Town and boundary paths; check current conditions
- Start
- Follow the Perambulation of Linlithgow Marches route
- Before you choose
- The walk passes seven of eight march stones. It is not the route or timetable of the annual procession.
Central floral trail
A short circuit around central floral displays
- Distance
- About 2 miles / 3 km
- Ground
- Town walking route
- Start
- Union Canal Basin
- Before you choose
- Flowers vary with season. Follow the numbered central trail rather than the longer outer routes.
Springfield floral trail
A floral circuit away from the historic centre
- Distance
- About 2 miles / 3 km
- Ground
- Outer town route
- Start
- Springfield, east Linlithgow
- Before you choose
- Allow for the journey to the start. It is distinct from the central floral circuit.
Outer floral trail
A longer look at the town’s floral features
- Distance
- Almost 3 miles / 5 km, linear
- Ground
- Outer town route
- Start
- South and west Linlithgow; use the trail directions
- Before you choose
- This is a linear route: plan how to return, rather than assuming the stated distance brings you back to the start.
No journey time, weather forecast or access certification is calculated. Follow current signs and closures. Public boat departures are separate from walking; check the canal centre's season notice.
The short answer
The loch circuit's the clearest source-backed longer town walk, listed at 2.3 miles.
Find the detail you need4
Linlithgow walks range from a loch loop to a short town route. You can also choose the canal towpath or a day in the woods. Each has its own surface and arrival needs. Choose for the distance you want to walk. Keep weather and the return time in mind. Check the current route before setting out.
Four useful walking choices
The loch circuit is useful when a complete waterside loop is the main thing to do. The team lists compacted gravel rather than a paved route. Read the circular walk for the distance and limits for a visit. The listed figure excludes extra walking from the railway station or around the palace.
A short Peel-and-loch visit suits people who want outdoor time close to the palace without choosing a full circuit. Choose an easy point to turn around, keeping the same known route back. Wet grass or an uneven path can still change which section works.
The canal towpath changes the setting from royal parkland to a working waterway. Use the canal-centre guide for the seasonal distinction between a towpath visit and a boat trip. A quiet path is shared space; leave room for others and keep clear of the water’s edge.
Beecraigs woodland routes suit a separate countryside outing. The council gives a park map and waymarked routes. Choose from that current map rather than assuming a fixed loop from a town guide. Read the park choice guide for the arrival and facility questions.
Factors to weigh when choosing a walk
Start with the whole day’s walking. A station transfer, palace stairs and a loch loop add up, even if each part sounds short. Choose the outdoor route after deciding whether building entry is a main part of the plan.
Surface matters more than a broad distance label for many people. Gravel, grass, a shared towpath and woodland routes have different grip and access needs. Check current conditions and exact access details rather than treating “easy” as a universal promise.
Daylight and weather can favour a shorter route. Don't rely on completing a loop after dark or on an unchecked shortcut. An out-and-back plan lets you shorten the walk without needing to find a new route through unfamiliar ground.
Walking with wildlife in mind
The loch is a protected habitat. Give birds room, keep waste under control and follow current dog and path notices. A walk is a way to enjoy the setting without making wildlife move for a closer view.
Water access is separate from the footpath. This guide doesn't check swimming permission, launch access or water quality. Fishing needs the fishery’s current permit rules. Stay on safe allowed ground and avoid treating a photo as access evidence.
Keep the plan flexible
For Linlithgow walks, choose a route that leaves time and energy for the rest of your day. Use the town guide for indoor or history options, and where to stay if you want to spread the walking over two days.
FAQ
Must I complete the full loch loop?
No. A shorter Peel or waterside visit can suit limited time. Choose the route around daylight, weather and your access needs.
