West Lothian
Sandwiched between the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, West Lothian is perhaps most often viewed through car or train windows speeding between the two.
Yet anywhere this close to the centres of power through Scottish history would find it hard not to have something to show for itself and the area boasts a range of attractions that make it well worth exploring.
In the ruined royal palace at Linlithgow, the area boasts one of Scotland's more magnificent ruins. There is some interesting industrial heritage, too, including the prettiest stretch of the recently upgraded Union Canal, and the restored railway at Boness, a popular family attraction.
Although strictly no longer part of West Lothian, the village of South Queensferry is only a few miles east of Boness. An interesting enough place in its own right, it lies under the considerable shadow of the Forth rail and road bridges. A mile or two beyond South Queensferry is the impressive stately home Hopetoun House.
If the natural world is more your thing, you'll find over a huge variety of flora and fauna in Almondell & Calderwood, Beecraigs and Polkemmet Country Parks, the vast Central Scotland Forest and the breezy peaks of the Bathgate Hills.
