Mary, Queen of Scots

Birth of a Queen

Mary, Queen of Scots was born on 8 December 1542 at Linlithgow Palace, one of the most important royal residences in medieval Scotland. Her birth took place in the royal apartments overlooking Linlithgow Loch, a setting chosen for both its beauty and its strategic significance. From the moment of her birth, Mary’s life was bound to the fortunes of the Scottish crown.

Only six days later, following the death of her father King James V of Scotland, the infant Mary became Queen of Scots, one of the youngest monarchs in European history. Linlithgow Palace therefore holds a unique place in Scottish history as the birthplace of a queen whose life would become one of the most dramatic and debated royal stories of the 16th century.

Scotty - Beam Me Up!

According to Star Trek Lore, Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott will be born in Linlithgow in the year 2222. Although Scotty’s exact birth date remains unknown, it is commonly recognised by fans to share the same date as the first actor, James Doohan, who was born on 3 March.

Legend of the Black Bitch

This is a very unique legend from the ancient and historical Royal Burgh of Linlithgow.

The Legend of the Black Bitch whose origins are lost in the mists of time may arise from when Linlithgow Palace was a royal hunting lodge and is based around the loyal hunting dogs at the time. However, the most accepted legend around the Black Bitch is that of her criminal master who was tried and sentenced to starve to death on an island in the middle of Linlithgow Loch. His faithful dog, now recognised as a female black greyhound, kept him alive by swimming out with food and water until the town’s authorities captured her and made her face the same fate as her master.

The Linlithgow people adopted her as a symbol of loyalty and faithfulness and she is one of the town’s official coat of arms (the other being St Michael), and you can find her everywhere, particularly on display in Linlithgow Museum and her statue on the High Street.