Guidebook for West Lothian
Food Scene
I Love Thistles. Particularly their breakfast, soups and haggis & chocolate panini!! Dieters beware their cheese cakes are to die for. Friendly local staff, spotlessly clean, WiFi available, what more could you want in a cafe?
Thistles Coffee Shop & Catering
11 Main StI Love Thistles. Particularly their breakfast, soups and haggis & chocolate panini!! Dieters beware their cheese cakes are to die for. Friendly local staff, spotlessly clean, WiFi available, what more could you want in a cafe?
It’s my favorite restaurant, fantastic food, friendly Italian and Polish staff in walking distance of the cottage. Try the veal in cream sauce and the desert wines, you won’t be disappointed. La Salute was described as a “hidden gem” in a recent national poll of best restaurants.
La Salute Ristorante Italiano
83 Main StIt’s my favorite restaurant, fantastic food, friendly Italian and Polish staff in walking distance of the cottage. Try the veal in cream sauce and the desert wines, you won’t be disappointed. La Salute was described as a “hidden gem” in a recent national poll of best restaurants.
Good food at a reasonable price. Followed up by a cocktail across the road in the Fork & Field
Khushis Restaurant
15 Bank StGood food at a reasonable price. Followed up by a cocktail across the road in the Fork & Field
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent example of a traditional Scottish pub with original horse shaped bar and optics. Live music at the weekends and folk club during the week.
The Railway Inn
43 Main StExcellent example of a traditional Scottish pub with original horse shaped bar and optics. Live music at the weekends and folk club during the week.
If you want to hear genuine Scottish folk music this is the pub to hear it in
43 locals recommend
Captains Bar
4 S College StIf you want to hear genuine Scottish folk music this is the pub to hear it in
Sightseeing
Great day out, visit Linlithgow palace birth place of Mary Queen of Scots, feed the swans on the loch, take a ride in a canal boat, rake around the boutique shops and relax in one of the many pubs and cafes and restaurants, I particularly like the Black Bitch.
85 locals recommend
Linlithgow Palace
KirkgateGreat day out, visit Linlithgow palace birth place of Mary Queen of Scots, feed the swans on the loch, take a ride in a canal boat, rake around the boutique shops and relax in one of the many pubs and cafes and restaurants, I particularly like the Black Bitch.
Great day out, see the magnificent, gigantic sea horses close up, Marvel at the engineering feat of the Falkirk Wheel and take a stroll round the park. There is a gift shop and cafe on site.
158 locals recommend
The Kelpies
The HelixGreat day out, see the magnificent, gigantic sea horses close up, Marvel at the engineering feat of the Falkirk Wheel and take a stroll round the park. There is a gift shop and cafe on site.
Palace of Holyrood
CanongateWhere the royal family stays when in Edinburgh.
See the 3 wonders of engineering; the Forth Railwaybridge, The Forth Road Bridge & the new Queensferry Crossing. You can walk across the road bridge then enjoy a browse round the shops in Queensferry and finish up having a bite of lunch
Forth Road Bridge
Forth Road BridgeSee the 3 wonders of engineering; the Forth Railwaybridge, The Forth Road Bridge & the new Queensferry Crossing. You can walk across the road bridge then enjoy a browse round the shops in Queensferry and finish up having a bite of lunch
Parks & Nature
Magnificent views across the capital, from the top of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Craig’s. Feed the swans at St Mary’s Loch and stroll through the park
1859 locals recommend
Arthur's Seat
Magnificent views across the capital, from the top of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Craig’s. Feed the swans at St Mary’s Loch and stroll through the park
Great way to spend a free afternoon in the summer surrounded by national collection of a diverse range of plants. The kids will love the gigantic lily pads in the green houses
1227 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceGreat way to spend a free afternoon in the summer surrounded by national collection of a diverse range of plants. The kids will love the gigantic lily pads in the green houses
Beecraigs Country Park
Great for long dog walks and tiring out the kids
Great for long dog walks in beautiful countryside along the banks of the Almond river, keep an eye out for kingfishers
10 locals recommend
Almondell & Calderwood Country Park
Great for long dog walks in beautiful countryside along the banks of the Almond river, keep an eye out for kingfishers
Arts & Culture
Explore a unique outside modern art gallery, can be enjoyed as much by the kids as the art fans
107 locals recommend
Jupiter Artland
Explore a unique outside modern art gallery, can be enjoyed as much by the kids as the art fans
I can spend as long looking at the outside of the building as the portraits inside. I love the gothic archeticture
523 locals recommend
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen StI can spend as long looking at the outside of the building as the portraits inside. I love the gothic archeticture
has been recently renovated and it’s fascinating, plenty for the kids to see and interact with. For the adults the new Scottish section is highly informative and the building itself impressive.
1378 locals recommend
National Museum of Scotland
has been recently renovated and it’s fascinating, plenty for the kids to see and interact with. For the adults the new Scottish section is highly informative and the building itself impressive.
Discover the real history of Edinburgh that of its people, fascinating displays in an accessible manner
35 locals recommend
People's Story
163 CanongateDiscover the real history of Edinburgh that of its people, fascinating displays in an accessible manner
It’s hard to define Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum perhaps, either ways the kids will love it. Located in Hollywood Park a visit can easily be combined with a walk up Arthur’s Seat.
303 locals recommend
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood RoadIt’s hard to define Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum perhaps, either ways the kids will love it. Located in Hollywood Park a visit can easily be combined with a walk up Arthur’s Seat.
Shopping
My fav shop in the village, this quirky antique emporium is based in the front room of a couples Victorian house!
Pixie Curios
9 Main StMy fav shop in the village, this quirky antique emporium is based in the front room of a couples Victorian house!
Armstrongs Vintage
81-83 GrassmarketFor all your vintage clothes you can’t beat Armstrongs
The Elements
You can shop to you drop all under cover, ten mins by car from the cottage
Essentials
Scotmid Co-operative
22 Main StConvienantly placed five mins from cottage for all your essentials