Linlithgow’s Haunted Royal Heritage: A Paranormal Guide from Court Residence

Introduction

Court Residence occupies the former Linlithgow Sheriff Court, a Category B listed building constructed in 1863 with a cell block added in 1875. The building witnessed over 150 years of criminal trials before its conversion to an aparthotel in the 2010s. A plaque on the exterior marks the site’s darker connection to history - directly opposite stood the window from which James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh fired the shot that killed Regent Moray in 1570, the first assassination of a head of state by firearm in recorded history.

The true paranormal draw lies steps away. Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, dominates the skyline and ranks among Scotland’s most actively haunted locations. The ruins generate consistent reports of a blue-robed female apparition, unexplained perfume scents, and disembodied footsteps echoing through roofless chambers.

Nearby Haunted Sites

Linlithgow Palace

Distance: 200 metres from Court Residence

The ruined royal palace stands as the centrepiece of Linlithgow’s paranormal landscape. Mary, Queen of Scots entered the world here on 8 December 1542, and her mother Mary of Guise served as Regent of Scotland from these halls. The palace fell into ruin following fires in the 18th century, most notably the blaze of 1746.

Witnesses describe a dense blue-grey female apparition walking from the main entrance towards St Michael’s Parish Church. The figure wears flowing robes and appears most frequently at dusk. A distinctive perfume smell accompanies some sightings - floral and heavy, inconsistent with the open-air setting. The cellars and walkways facing Linlithgow Loch produce reports of footsteps and murmured voices when no visitors are present.

The identity of the blue lady remains debated. Most accounts attribute the apparition to Mary of Guise. Others identify Margaret Tudor or even Mary, Queen of Scots herself, spotted in prayer within the chapel ruins.

Queen Margaret’s Bower

Distance: 250 metres from Court Residence (within palace grounds)

This small tower at the northwest corner of the palace grounds offers commanding views over the approach road. Margaret Tudor, wife of James IV, watched from this bower for her husband’s return from the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He never came. The Scots suffered catastrophic defeat, and the king died on the battlefield.

A White Lady manifests here, separate from the blue-robed apparition seen elsewhere in the palace complex. She appears as a pale, watchful figure facing the western approach, eternally waiting. The bower’s compact stone interior amplifies sounds - visitors report hearing sighing and the rustle of fabric when alone.

The Assassination Site - High Street

Distance: Directly opposite Court Residence

On 23 January 1570, Regent Moray rode through Linlithgow’s High Street. James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh waited in a house belonging to Archbishop John Hamilton, his arquebus loaded. The shot struck Moray in the abdomen, and he died that night. This marked the first successful assassination of a head of state using a firearm.

The exact building no longer stands, but the location is well-documented and marked. Local folklore connects the violent death to residual supernatural activity on the High Street. Cold spots and a sense of unease feature in accounts from long-term residents.

Paranormal Walking Route

Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Begin at Court Residence on Court Square. Read the assassination plaque and face the High Street, imagining the scene of January 1570.

Walk east along the High Street towards the palace (2 minutes). Enter through the main gatehouse - this threshold generates frequent apparition sightings, particularly the blue-robed lady.

Explore the inner courtyard and chapel ruins (20 minutes). The chapel’s east end is associated with prayer apparitions. Listen for unexplained sounds in the roofless chambers.

Descend to the loch-facing cellars and walkways (10 minutes). Footsteps and voices concentrate in these lower passages.

Climb to Queen Margaret’s Bower on the northwest corner (5 minutes). Remain here at dusk for optimal White Lady conditions. The view mirrors what Margaret Tudor saw as she waited.

Exit through the grounds towards St Michael’s Parish Church (5 minutes). The blue lady’s path reportedly runs from palace to church. The churchyard contains medieval graves and maintains its own atmosphere after dark.

Return to Court Residence via Kirkgate and the High Street (5 minutes).

Visitor Information

Linlithgow Palace operates under Historic Environment Scotland. Check seasonal opening hours before planning evening visits - summer months allow later access. Standard admission applies.

Photography works well in the ruins. Bring a voice recorder for the cellars if you conduct EVP sessions. The loch-side walkways are uneven - wear appropriate footwear.

Ghost tours operate seasonally in Linlithgow, typically from local history groups rather than commercial operators. Check with the Linlithgow Heritage Trust for scheduled events.

The town’s compact layout means all haunted sites fall within a ten-minute walk. Court Residence’s central location eliminates transport concerns.

Historical Context

Linlithgow’s paranormal concentration stems from its 500-year role as a Scottish royal residence. Birth, death, and political violence accumulated within these few acres. Mary of Guise ruled Scotland from this palace while Protestant reformers challenged Catholic authority. Her daughter Mary, Queen of Scots, faced eventual execution. Regent Moray’s assassination added violent death to the already-charged location.

The palace’s roofless state since 1746 creates an unusual environment - neither building nor ruin, but something between. Visitors walk through spaces that once contained royal chambers, now open to Scottish weather. This liminal quality may contribute to the persistence of reported phenomena.

---

Use Court Residence as your base for exploring the haunted heritage of Linlithgow and West Lothian.