Linlithgow

Friday, midday

Check into the West Port Hotel (double rooms from £45, classicinns. co.uk), a characterful revamped inn on the town’s western fringes.

12:30pm

Source a picnic at Taste on the High Street – they have a great deli selection – and head for the hills.

1pm

Cockleroy is your lunch venue, a lovely mound that offers sweeping views over the Forth Valley and Linlithgow; Bass Rock out east on a good day too. Ailsa Craig allegedly – on a very good day.

2:30pm

Head back into town and amble along the High Street, taking in its sprinkling of independent shops.

5pm

Ease into the evening with a glass of quality (and well-priced) vino at Du Vin Bouchers. Fine vintages are served in this former butchers.

7pm

Retreat to the historic West Port, where the bright, modern bar/ restaurant offers Scottish beef ribeye served with triple cooked chips.

Saturday, 9am

Up early for a historic day in the royal burgh. The hour stroll around the loch offers teasing views of the grand dame of Linlithgow Palace, spikyspired St Michael’s Church and the wee crannogs that dot the loch. Info boards lead the way.

10am

Explore the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born as her dad died. The rugged grandeur doesn’t need fancy furnishings to tell its story. Legend has it that when Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed he had the courtyard fountain spouting wine.

Midday

Enjoy lunch at the brilliantly reborn Burgh Halls. A light café menu awaits amidst the historical drama.

1pm

Check out the garden and the exhibition space at this key cultural hub.

3pm

Fast forward through the centuries at the Linlithgow Canal Centre. Tour the basin, savour a coffee canalside and take a trip on a narrowboat across Scotland’s largest viaduct over the River Avon.

Sunday, 9am

You’ll be fit as a fiddle after this weekend finishing with a ramble around the reservoir in Beecraigs Country Park.

Scotrail (Scotrail.co.uk) service Linlithgow from both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The hotel also has parking.