History of Linlithgow Palace
1543 - 1745

Ongoing repairs to Linlithgow Palace continued from 1543 until the 1560s, after which the palace and surrounding grounds were neglected. In 1571 Captain Andrew Lamby was the keeper of the palace and installed a garrison of 24 soldiers  there with him. Various important prisoners were kept at the palace during this time.

In 1585, by the time King James VI was old enough to assume control of the Government, the years of neglect were beginning to have a serious affect on the palace. Captain Lamby had been replaced as keeper in 1580 and in 1582 a new gardener was appointed. Various reports were made on the state of the palace and how much money would be required to make repairs. It was not until 1618 before the kings officers began to repair the damage to the palace. The north range was rebuilt under the direction of the master mason William Wallace and represents, even in its present ruined state, one of the finest renaissance facades in Scotland. This work was completed by 1624.

In 1603, on the death of Elizabeth I of England, the court of James VI (now James I of England) moved to London. It was intended that the palace (along with Falkland Palace) would provide accommodation for the enlarged court that accompanied the king on his visits to Scotland. However it was not until the reign of his son, Charles I, that a ruling sovereign set foot in the palace.

During the 1745 Jacobite Rising, both Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland stayed in Linlithgow, which resulted in the palace nearly being destroyed.

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