Linlithgow Civic Trust

What we have achieved over the years

Linlithgow Civic Trust was founded in 1971 in response to plans for the M9 motorway.

In April 2017, Linlithgow Burgh Trust was set up as a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) and Linlithgow Civic Trust became a committee of the new organisation, as did Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow, which had formed part of the Linlithgow Civic Trust. The main reasons for this change were to incorporate the organisation and to give it charitable status, making it eligible for more grants and for Gift Aid.

Over the years Linlithgow Civic Trust has been involved in a wide range of projects and has achieved numerous significant results. Here are a few of them:

  • Establishment of Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow: Linlithgow Civic Trust set up Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow to enhance the townscape and it has achieved a great deal, including winning Britain in Bloom 2018 to follow Best Overall and other awards in Beautiful Scotland. Refer to the Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow pages for more details.
  • Publications: The Trust has published a number of books and pamphlets associated with Linlithgow. These include:
    • Linlithgow Old and New – A review of Linlithgow’s built heritage (2002 – now out of print)
    • Street Names of Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge: Derivations and origins of our street names. (Third edition published in 2007)
    • Linlithgow – History and Architecture of a Scottish Royal Burgh – more detailed information about all of the points on the Linlithgow Heritage Trail and beyond. (2010)
    • Walks around Linlithgow: Short walks in the area. (New, revised edition published in 2014)
    • Looking at Linlithgow – How artists over the centuries have been inspired by Linlithgow. (2018)
    • Tracks Around Linlithgow – Linlithgow’s railway history. (2021)
    • Putting Linlithgow on the Map – The history and development of Linlithgow through maps. (2024)
    • Pamphlets:
      • A Short Guide to Shopfront Design & Advertisements
      • Linlithgow Embroideries Project (2024)
      • The Royal Line (2024)
      • Linlithgow Heritage Trail
    • Refer to the Publications page for more details
  • Linlithgow – A Plan for the Future: The Civic Trust contributed to this detailed holistic plan for Linlithgow, recognising the problems that the town currently faces and proposing solutions. The document has been superseded by the Linlithgow Local Place Plan, published in 2023, to which the Trust also contributed.
  • Monitoring Planning Applications: The Trust monitors planning applications for alterations to existing buildings and proposed new buildings in Linlithgow, paying particular attention to listed building consents and properties within the conservation areas, and submits positive comments or considered objections as appropriate. Refer to the Planning pages for more information.
  • Linlithgow Planning Forum: The Trust is supports wide discussion and debate aimed at agreeing and publicising what is felt would be best for Linlithgow’s future development and influencing the West Lothian Local Plan and individual planning decisions. Proposed at the Linlithgow Town Management Group and supported by Linlithgow Civic Trust, Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council, Transition Linlithgow and Linlithgow Against Supermarket Development, the Linlithgow Planning Forum is a platform for the discussion of planning matters.
  • Perambulation of Linlithgow Marches: A walking trail following the 1832 Linlithgow Parliamentary Boundary. As well as providing new March Stones, the project included footpath improvements, an interpretation board, a smartphone ‘app’ and publicity material.  75% of the funding was from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with a substantial contribution from the Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Town Management Group and generous donations from Linlithgow Civic Trust, Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council, Pride & Passion Linlithgow, councillors’ disbursements, Linlithgow Heritage Trust, and the Linlithgow Round Table.  The Linlithgow Ramblers were also involved in the organisation of this walk and organised a longer version, including Blackness, two weeks later. The walk is now anannual event. See the Perambulation page for full details.
  • Doors Open Days West Lothian: For many years, the trust organised this annual event.
  • Linlithgow Heritage Trail: A walking trail developed by the Trust with support from Linlithgow Heritage Trust, Pride & Passion Linlithgow and West Lothian Council. The Linlithgow Heritage Trail is marked by distinctive “Saint Michael” plaques, supported by the Linlithgow Visitor Guide.
  • My Place Awards: The Trust proposed Linlithgow Burgh Halls, Architects: Malcolm Fraser Architrects, for a Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award in 2012. It achieved one of only two “Highly Commended” awards granted.
  • Civic Champion 2011: Trust member Ron Smith was the first to receive the Civic Champion Award from the Scottish Civic Trust. 
  • First Railway Station Photograph in the World: Pioneer photographer David Octavious Hill photographed Linlithgow Station in 1845, widely believed to be the first photograph ever taken of a railway station. The Civic Trust arranged for this historic event to be publicised by a panel installed at the station.
  • Linlithgow Visitor Guide:  The Civic Trust worked with Pride & Passion Linlithgow, Linlithgow Town Centre BID and other local organisations to produce this free guide for visitors to the town.
  • Interpretation Boards: The Trust has organised the design, manufacture and installation of historic information panels at:
    • West Port
    • St Ninian’s Craigmailen Church (Perambulation)
    • The Cross
    • The Low Port
    • Linlithgow Canal Centre
    • Linlithgow Railway Station
  • Themed Evenings: A number of historic dinners were held on themes like: Mary, Queen of Scots, The Roaring 20s, World War II.
  • Work on the Union Canal: Clearance of the canal towpath from Deanburn to the Railway Station in 1972 led to the formation of Linlithgow Union Canal Society.

Scroll to Top