Category:West Lothian
Gateway to a Royal Burgh: a new way to experience a historic Scottish town.
From Kingsfield Leisure Golf Driving Range, Monty or Tiger could probably hit a drive all the way to Linlithgow Palace. A golf ball bouncing through the walled garden may be a new experience for Mary, Queen of Scots – and custodians Historic Scotland – but that would be the only real change since the tragic monarch’s day. Even the virgin queen would recognise modern-day Linlithgow as the royal burgh of her birth.
Royal entourages of course are not the only Linlithgow procession these days. Fairs, bands marches and even a proposed farmers market can make visiting the High Street’s myriad specialist shops even more enticing – but you may well have to take advantage of the town's generous off street parking to best enjoy them. Better then to make a regal promenade on foot. It’s the best way to enjoy the town, and that's where Kingsfield comes into its own.
More than just a great golf driving range, the four-star visitor experience at Kingsfield Leisure, on the eastern approach to Linlithgow, is set up to be the gateway to the beautiful historic royal burgh.
General Manager Robert Arkley invites one and all to at Kingsfield. For five generations his family have farmed here, now he's harvesting a crop of leisure activities to compliment the acres still under plough. "We can welcome anyone from a solo visitor to a coach tour, and take them right to the heart of Linlithgow, without their vehicle even leaving our car park. That way, the town doesn’t get congested, and you don’t have to worry about finding a parking space. It's a great way to really get in touch with Linlithgow, and a great way to spend the day."
Nevertheless, if your interests are the same as European Tour golfers like Stephen Gallagher, and you’d rather get in touch with perfecting your golf swing, or even improving your aim on the laser clay shooting range, you need not even leave Kingsfield. Swing, shoot and play away, while the rest of your party indulge in a bespoke version of the Linlithgow experience.
For the rest us, it's a short transfer from Kingsfield to the nearby Park Bistro, right on the tranquil union Canal. Cruise from the landing jetty right into the old town basin, story tellers and players regaling visitors all the way. With a qualified and knowledgeable Blue-Badge guide waiting to lead your party from the canal vessels to the medieval vennels of old Linlithgow. There's every opportunity to get the most from the sights of the town - the famous palace, the picturesque loch and the multitude of people and places that make Linlithgow unique. There's even time for an ample sample of the High Street's traditional mix of quality independent traders - a real slice of Linlithgow life.
As your transfer coach delivers you the mile from the Town Cross to Kingsfield, there's time for a hearty refreshment in the Tea Caddy lounge. "We might even let you try out the putting green", says Kingsfield's Robert Arkley, "If you've any energy left after your relaxing day out in Linlithgow."
Next year, the Anniversary Course, a par-three 9-hole golfing test, will open to mark Kingsfield's twelfth year. The town sports new retail, eating and swanky apartments. There are butchers, bakers, even candle stick makers, all adding to the mix. These days even Mary would find something new in a visit to Linlithgow.
Prepared by Simon Walton for Linlithgow Tours ( www.linlithgowtours.net)
Pages in category "West Lothian"
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