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.