Craigs Lodges

Local Activities

The central location of the park means there is an enormous variety of things to do and places to see within easy reach. This is just a small taste of what’s available.

Canal Pathway

The Canal - which runs directly past the lodge park -provides a lengthy pathway for any walkers or cyclists. Union Canal which joins Edinburgh with Falkirk is approximately 25 miles in length. The route is reasonably smooth and is also completely free of cars. The canal provides a helpful pathway directly to the local supermarket and also to the train station in Linlithgow.

Bike Hire

Linlithgow is an ideal location for the family cyclists. The Linlithgow area offers great opportunities to visit the hidden delights of the Scottish country side, with miles of canal pathways and places to see, cycling enables everyone easy access to the tranquil sorroundings found around Linlithgow.

All ages catered for with childseats available on request and a number of childrens bikes as well as adult bikes all available on-site.

In and Around Linlithgow

Linlithgow is a small picturesque town of around 12,000 inhabitants. Its small size belies its status in Scottish history, as one time capital of Scotland it houses the imposing ruin of Linlithgow Royal Palace, past home of many of Scotland’s Kings and Queens.

The area around Linlithgow is steeped in history with many castles and old country mansion houses. Blackness Castle, Hopetoun House and The House of the Binns are all well worth a visit.

There are ample sports and leisure activities available in the area. Take a pleasant walk in one of the two country parks that lie within two miles of the town. Play a round of golf at either of the two excellent 18 hole golf courses. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon’s fishing at Bowden Springs or Parkley Craigs. These are just a few of the activities you can enjoy.

Canal Centre

Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS) administers the Canal Centre and operates boat trips from Manse Road Basin every weekend from Easter until the first week in October with two boats from 2pm. You can cruise the calm and peaceful canal to the Avon Aqueduct in comfort on board the "St Magdalene" or journey the town stretch on "Victoria", a replica of a Victorian steam packet boat.
During July & August the Centre is open weekdays with town trips only. Charters and private bookings can be arranged at other times. " Leamington" is a self drive boat available for day hire.
The Canal Museum has a sales counter, a short audio-visual presentation, admission is free. LUCS also caters for visitors in the Tea room .

Linlithgow Leisure Centre

Linlithgow Leisure Centre combines the best of swimming pool and sports centre activities for all the family to enjoy.

The complete Leisure Centre experience has swimming in a 20m leisure style pool, kiddies splash pool, sauna and steam cabins on poolside, dance studio for a terrific range of Fitness Classes and Club activities, 4 court badminton and Sports Hall catering for a great choice of sports activities. Purely for the kids there is the original SpaceBugs Soft Play Adventure zone.

Linlithgow Golf Club

Linlithgow Golf Club sits high above the Royal Burgh town of Linlithgow within the farmland and hillside of the surrounding area. The recently refurbished clubhouse creates a warm and friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy our hospitality before venturing to the first tee.

Stock up on essentials at the Pro Shop, where you will find all the top names at very keen prices. Hone your game on our excellent practice facilities, or take lessons from our qualified resident PGA Professional, Steven Rosie.

The course is short enough not to be tiring but tough enough to demand good golf shots, but try not to be distracted by the views of the Ochil Hills, Union Canal and the Forth Valley. On returning to the clubhouse, you can quench your thirst with a drink from our well stocked bar, and you will also find a menu that will fill the gap left by your exertions around the course.

Bowden Springs

One of Central Scotland's most picturesque trout fisheries - just a few miles from the historic borough of Linlithgow. Bowden Springs consists of two separate spring-fed lochs, each with its own individual character. There is also a very well stocked Tackle Shop on site, which is worth a visit even if you don't plan to fish that day.

Bowden Springs is also a Troutmasters water, so your catches here can be entered in the National Troutmasters competition, sponsored by Trout Fisherman magazine.

The fishery is open all year round, from 8:30 a.m. until dusk and closed only for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Falkirk Wheel

The Millennium Link Project restored the Lowland canals city of Glasgow to city of Edinburgh and Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde. Not only are the two canals restored but the link at Falkirk, the Falkirk Wheel, has become one of Scotland’s, if not the UK’s, prime visitor attraction. The original eleven locks could not be reinstated so instead the world’s first rotating boatlift has been built, 115ft high equivalent to eight double decker buses stacked on top of each other.

A Visitor Centre has been created with a shop, café and display area. Boat trips on the Wheel are available. The Wheel was opened by the Queen on 24th May 2002

Linlithgow Story Museum

Don’t miss the opportunity to look round Linlithgow’s own museum, “The Linlithgow Story”. The museum, run by Linlithgow Heritage Trust, is situated in Annet House in the High Street just 250 meters west of the Cross.

The museum tells the story of Linlithgow and its growth during the reigns of the Stewart kings of Scotland . It also tells of trades of the town and something of the life of the people. The story is told using not only traditional museum artifacts but through audio and video presentations.

The museum has an extensive terraced garden which contains displays of herbs, fruit trees and bushes. The garden offers spectacular views across the town to the historic St Michaels Church dedicated in 1242 and to Linlithgow Palace, birthplace, in 1542, of Mary, Queen of Scots

Blackness Castle

Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland's most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence, its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison.

In the 16th century, the castle's defences were strengthened to make it one of the country's most formidable artillery fortifications. Besieged and damaged in 1650 by Cromwell's army, it was used, after its restoration, to imprisson Covenanters.

After the 1707 Treaty of Union, Blackness ceased to be a state prison and became a minor garrison. During the wars with France between 1759 and 1815 it held prisoners of war, then in 1870 was converted to an ammunition depot. Finally in the 1920s, the castle was conserved as an ancient monument.

Linlithgow Palace

The magnificent ruins of Linlithgow Palace are set in a park beside a loch.

The Palace is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and all of the Stewart kings lived at the Palace. Numerous renovations to the palace’s grand facades and chambers were carried out as each sought to create the ideal modern palace.

The Palace is open all year and the ticket office, shop and courtyard are accessible to visitors with disabilities. More mobile visitors should be able to access the first floor which forms the main part of the property.

Beecraigs Country Park

A one thousand-acre Country Park offering a wide range of recreational opportunities including trout fishing, a trout farm and a working red deer farm. Target and field archery courses, orienteering, pioneering, canoeing, kayaking, hillcraft, skiing, 5 day & weekend special interest courses, rock climbing, BBQ and picnic areas, trim course, woodlands walks, play area and a caravan/camping site, restaurant with function room and a bar. There is a Countryside Ranger Service to assist the public in their enjoyment of the countryside. Activities, guided walks, environmental education, illustrated talks and summer events are on offer from the Ranger Service. The Park Centre offers advice, craft sales, trout and venison sales, booking service for facilities and activities, and refreshments and confectionery.

Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway

The Scottish Railway Preservation Society operates the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, which has been developed since 1979 on a green-field site by the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Several historic buildings have been obtained and re-erected to provide a traditional railway setting. Bo'ness station opened in 1981. The line was extended to Kinneil in 1987 and to Birkhill in 1989. The passenger service now operates to Birkhill, where the fireclay mine is open to the public.

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House is one of the most splendid examples of Georgian architecture in Britain being the work of Scottish architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam.

Situated just outside Edinburgh, the House is set in 150 acres of rolling parkland with extensive woodland walks, breathtaking walks on the River Forth and a deer park. The magnificent interiors boast fine paintings, original furnishings and décor, tapestries and objects d’art with Aubusson tapestries and fabulous chandeliers in the Ballroom. The Stables Tearoom offers wonderful lunches and tempting snacks with champagne afternoon teas a speciality.

Hopetoun has been the home of the Earls of Hopetoun, later created Marquesses of Linlithgow, since it was built in 1699 and part of the House is still lived in today by the present Marquess and his family. The House, however, is owned and managed by an independent, charitable trust created in 1974 by the current Marquess and his father in order to preserve the House with its historic contents and surrounding landscape for the enjoyment and education of the public for all time.

The House and Grounds are open to the public daily from Easter to the end of September but pre-booked group visits can be accommodated throughout the year.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

From its early days, the Edinburgh Tattoo has been an international favourite. Performers from 30 countries have presented here, and around 35 per cent of the 217,000 audience each year are from overseas.

In addition, the Tattoo has been televised in 30 countries. An annual television audience of 100 million watches the coverage worldwide.

The international flavour of the Tattoo has been deliberately developed as a key element in its capacity to entertain a huge, cosmopolitan audience.

House of the Binns

The House of the Binns is the historic home of the Dalyells, among them General Tam Dalyell who raised the Royal Scots Greys here in 1681. Parts of the present house date from the time of General Tam's father (1612 - 30). It reflects the early 17th century transition in Scottish architecture from fortified stronghold to more spacious mansion. Important moulded plaster ceilings in four of the main rooms were added in 1630. The furniture dates mostly from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. There is also an excellent run of family portraits and an interesting collection of china. Woodland walk to panoramic viewpoint over Firth of Forth. Beautiful snowdrops and daffodils in spring.

Forth Bridges

The Forth Bridges Exhibition is open daily and displays a magnificent model of the firth and many artefacts and photographs of the two magnificent bridges which span the estuary a few miles from Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

An impressive model of the firth in the area of the bridges is on display, as is information on the people who were involved in the building of the bridge. Many interesting facts about both bridges are presented.

Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh, known as "The Athens of the North", is renowned for its beauty. The castle dominates the City from high on its rocky perch where it surveys the cobbled streets and winding alleys below that form the City’s heart. The city is also renowned around the world for its Summer arts festival and New Year Hogmanay festival. Whatever time of year you visit you’ll be impressed by Edinburgh’s beauty.

Stirling

The historical town of Stirling is known as "The Gateway to the Highlands". The castle, sitting on cliffs above the town, once guarded the road from the Lowlands to the Highlands of Scotland. Near Stirling stands the Wallace Monument, commemorating Sir William Wallace, one of Scotland’s heroes of past wars with England. Many of his battles were fought in the Stirling area.

To the West and North of Stirling you enter The Trossachs. This is where the Highlands begin and continue in a land of beautiful lochs and mountains to Scotland’s Northwest tip some 200 miles away.

Loch Lomond

An hours drive to the Northwest lies the beauty of Loch Lomond. An ideal place to spend a relaxing summers day sitting on the banks surrounded by splendid scenery, or to go for a walk along the route of the West Highland Way hikers path which runs along the Eastern side of the Loch. Starting just North of Glasgow the route extends all the way to Fort William and covers some one hundred miles through the heart of the Highlands.

Glasgow

Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is well known for its architecture, museums and galleries, and excellent shopping centre.

The City was awarded the status of UK City of Architecture and Design 1999. Its most famous architect is Charles Rennie Mackintosh of whose work there are numerous examples in the City.

Museums and art galleries abound in Glasgow, of which the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art should not be missed.

If you would like to do some shopping before returning home, Glasgow may be the place to go. Now generally recognised as second only to London for retail, the City has an easily accessible and excellent shopping centre.

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