Linlithgow's Heritage Buildings

Earlier today I aid a visit to the ancient town of Linlithgow, about twenty miles west of Edinburgh in the east of Scotland. 

Weather was poor but in course of a short 'walkabout' I encountered a couple of ancient buildings as discussed herein.

The building immediately below is known as Hamiltons' Land. It dates from the early 17th century and was restored in 1958.

Technically, the building is a 3-storey, two- bay traditional gable fronted tenement with pend (covered passage) and shop at ground, crowstepped and chimneyed gable.Building material is cream Pardovan sandstone coursed rubble with ashlar dressings to north elevation. The rear elevation features a two storey wing with 16th century bread oven in garden.There are 12-pane sash and case windows. The roof is T-Plan with red pantiles.The pantiles are common in the east of Scotland and may have been manufactured in Holland.

Note small, square panel near chimney at top of the building. This was to allow access by pigeons to a 'loft'.Pigeons were a source of food (meat and eggs) during the early life of the building.

In conjunction with the self standing bread oven this building offers about 500 years of occupation.

 


Here is an interesting autumnal image. The building behind the trees is Linlithgow Palace, one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although maintained after Scotland's monarchs moved to England in 1603 the palace was little used and accidentally burned out in 1746. It is now a visitor attraction and particularly popular with tourists who wish to connect with 'Outlander' sites. Currently, most of the palace is encased in scaffolding.

Mary, Queen of Scots, was born at the palace in 1542.


 

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