Activity |
Although the date of Linlithgow's creation as a Royal Burgh cannot be definitely established, it probably had that status from perhaps as early as the reign of King David I (1124-1153). The earliest surviving charter which indicates that it was undoubtedly a royal burgh is as late as 1388 (sometimes wrongly given as 1389), when King Robert II (1371-1390) granted it feu-ferme status. From then onwards the castle and town were frequently visited by Scottish monarchs, and major works were carried out at what became Linlithgow Palace in the reign of King James I (1406-1437). Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1567) was born in the palace. James Stewart, Earl of Moray, Regent of Scotland, was assassinated in Linlithgow in 1570. As a royal burgh Linlithgow enjoyed significant trading privileges which assisted with its early prominence, but the erection of Queensferry as a royal burgh in 1636 and of Bo'ness as a burgh of regaility in 1668 encroached on those privileges.
A town council, comprising a provost, three bailies, a dean of guild, a treasurer and nine councillors, was first elected in 1832. Linlithgow became a Police Burgh in 1866 under the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act 1862 (25 & 26 Vict., c.101). The police commissioners were also the town council. Linlithgow was also a parliamentary burgh and the county town of Linlithgowshire or West Lothian. As the county town, Linlithgow hosted a fair amount of general public business, including the sheriff court. There was a considerable linen manufacture in the 18th century, and in the later 19th century tanning, currying and shoe-making were major industries. Paper-making and distilling were also prominent then. Shale mining and refining for oil was carried on for some time locally. Linlithgow had a population of 4155 in 1891 and 5684 in 1971.
Linlithgow had small burgh status from 1930 to 1975 (Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929 (19 & 20 Geo. V, c.25)). Linlithgow Town Council was abolished in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65). Its powers were assumed by Lothian Regional Council and West Lothian District Council. These in turn were replaced by West Lothian Council in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39). |