Castles · Central Scotland
Bathgate Castle
Bathgate Castle — castle in West Lothian, Scotland, UK.
Richard Webb — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Bathgate · 0.4 km
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Bathgate Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in West Lothian, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.8947°, -3.6315°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Bathgate Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle near Bathgate, West Lothian. It served as the caput (administrative centre) of the barony of Bathgate. Today, only the motte and some earthworks survive, and the site lies within the grounds of a modern golf course.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Bathgate Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle near Bathgate, West Lothian. It served as the caput (administrative centre) of the barony of Bathgate. Today, only the motte and some earthworks survive, and the site lies within the grounds of a modern golf course.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The castle was likely constructed in the 12th century and functioned as a fortified residence for the local barony. In 1314, the castle became part of the dowry of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of King Robert the Bruce, upon her marriage to Walter, High Steward of Scotland. Walter died at the castle in 1327, after which it appears to have been abandoned. Bathgate Castle was strategically located near the main routes connecting Linlithgow and the surrounding West Lothian settlements, allowing the barony to monitor trade and movement in the region. Archaeological surveys indicate that the site may have included timber buildings and a defensive palisade atop the motte.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.8947, -3.6315
- District
- West Lothian
- Postcode
- EH48 1EZ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Bathgate and Linlithgow
- Nearest railway station
- Bathgate — 0.4 km
Sources
- wikidata: Q56661833 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Bathgate Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Loading nearby places…
Nearby
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
In Full Bloom
In Full Bloom — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
The Bathgate Arch
The Bathgate Arch — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Theatres · Central Scotland
Pavilion Cinema
Pavilion Cinema in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic houses · Central Scotland
Old Parish Church, Kirkton
Old Parish Church, Kirkton — a historic house in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Central Scotland
Kirkton,old parish church 400m ESE of Kirkton Mains,Bathgate
Kirkton,old parish church 400m ESE of Kirkton Mains,Bathgate — scheduled monument-listed church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Central Scotland
Sarajia Islamic Center
Sarajia Islamic Center — a church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
More castles in this region
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Abercorn Castle
Abercorn Castle — castle in West Lothian, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Aberdour Castle
Aberdour Castle — castle in Fife, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Airth Castle
Airth Castle — castle in Falkirk, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Ardestie Castle
Ardestie Castle — castle, now demolished, in Angus, Scotland, UK.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Bathgate Castle?
- Bathgate Castle is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH48 1EZ).
- Is Bathgate Castle a listed building?
- Bathgate Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Bathgate Castle charge admission?
- Bathgate Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Bathgate Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Bathgate, about 0.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH48 1EZ.