Perhaps uniquely in the English-speaking (as opposed to Scots-speaking) world, I know where Linlithgow is.
Quite a stately town, the Cirencester of the north.
I know it’s got an ancient Palace; we’d dragged the boys round it on the way to see the Falkirk horses (much more exciting).
The most interesting thing about the walk to the Palace ruins is the gallery of Scottish monarchs, including my personal favourite;
Sophia, you’ll remember, survived to 83 drinking a gallon of Punk IPA a day (water wasn’t safe).
More importantly, there’s three Beer Guide entries, of varying vintage,
including a brand new one that irritatingly necessitated a costly trip out from Edinburgh to help complete the Lothians chapter of the GBG. The Linlithgow Tap is beautifully situated next to Dog Well Wynd, which sounds like a lost Suede album.
With 15 minutes between opening and the train trundling back to the home of Deuchars, I paced up and down as 11am approached. Across the road, the Crown and Swan looked like Proper (keg) Pubs. A “Good Keg Pub with Sam Smiths Stickers Guide” would be a winner.
An apologetic and efficient young barman opened up at 11.05, and I denied him the chance to waste time describing his ales enthusiastically by saying “Corncrake” as if it was a codeword.
A rather gorgeous pub in the open plan Lothians style, although a beer that patently wasn’t Jarl. But a place to hide away and read train timetables.
You should never rush a beer, but I wasn’t spending a second hour in town drinking too much coffee and then regretting it on the bumpy inward journey.
I made it back with a minute to spare.
retiredmartin 
Looks like a lovely place. That photo you called “Scottish” shows they’ve taken a lot of care with the decor– a nice blend of the old and new.
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Yes, you get a sense of being in a traditional Scottish pub there.
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‘The Four Marys’ – Sounds like a very early porno magazine?
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I wouldn’t know about that given the sheltered life I’ve led and I immediately thought of the four ‘Maries’ who accompanied Mary Queen of Scots as a child to France in 1548 and remained her closest lifelong friends.
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I immediately thought of the Danny Wilson song.
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I’m too old to know about a Danny Wilson song but you’ve reminded me of Joan Baez’s ‘Mary Hamilton’ which my wife has often sung at folk clubs.
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Wow -that impresses me.
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“Last night there were four Marys,
Tonight there’ll be but three.
There was Mary Beaton, and Mary Seaton,
And Mary Carmichael and me”
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I’ve just realised that all these Scottish trips have had nothing to do with Mrs. RM – you’ve just been trying to find a decent cricket team to watch….
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One swallow doesn’t make a summer – unless it’s Martin downing that Corncrake to make the train.
Historic and well-deserved win for the Scots but exactly the kick up the arse warm-up we need before facing a proper cricket team this week.
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But how many kicks up the arse do we actually need?
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It’s how we play Mudgie.
Exasperating I know when they’re brilliant one minute then crap the next.
To be fair it was the flattest deck I’ve ever seen and anyone faced with such a huge chase faces the risk of making mistakes and gifting the game.
Chances are the Jocks could be equally as crap in their next match.
Lets see how we get on this week against the Convicts.
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(applause)
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Only thing missing, jam jars so I could tell what kind of beers they are.
Dark Island has East Kent Goldings hops and Maris Otter Malt, one of my favorite combinations.
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I have actually been to Linlithgow, had a pub lunch (although I can’t remember the name of the pub) and been round the Palace.
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The Four Marys looks the most likely pub lunch stop in town, close to a Nicholson feel.
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