Linlithgow Palace.JPG



'''Linlithgow Palace, fifteen miles west of Edinbourgh. A royal manor existed on the site in the 12th Century. This was replaced by a fortification known as 'the Peel', built in the 14th century by English forces under Edward I. The site of the manor made it an ideal military base for securing the supply routes between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.'''

In 1424, the town of Linlithgow was partially destroyed in a great fire. King James I started the rebuilding of the Palace as a grand residence for Scottish royalty, also beginning the rebuilding of the Church of St Michael immediately to the south of the palace: the earlier church had been used as a storeroom during Edward's occupation. Over the following century the palace developed into a formal courtyard structure, with significant additions by James III and James IV. James V, who was born in the palace in April 1512, added the outer gateway and the elaborate courtyard fountain.

Mary Queen of Scots was born at the Palace in December 1542 and occasionally stayed there during her reign. After the Union of the Crowns in 1603 the Royal Court became largely based in England and Linlithgow was used very little. Although King James VI had the North range rebuilt between 1618 and 1622, the only reigning monarch who stayed in Linlithgow after that date was King Charles I who spent one night there in 1633.

Linlithgow Palace is home of the Marquess of Linlithgow and Strafford, Seth Seaborn.



Wentworth Castle near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Summer-Residence of the Marquess of Linlithgow and Strafford.

Stainborough Castle, built on the site of an iron age hill fort and on the highest point of the estate, over 180m/600ft above sea level. On completion, the name of the main house was changed from Stainborough Hall to Wentworth Castle, no doubt to provoke the family at Wentworth Woodhouse. Conceived as an eye catcher, the mock castle formes a dramatic climax to the garden lay out. Although described as a folly, and believed to be the second oldest Gothic garden folly in the country, the castle is used by the 1st Earl and his family as a play area and for picknicking.