PrimeCarers
Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow

Companionship careWest Lothian

Days out in West Lothian for an older parent

Eight places in West Lothian that make a good day out for an older parent, from Linlithgow Palace to Bennie Museum. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Linlithgow Palace. Photo: AlistairMcMillan, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight days out across five towns

The best places to take an older parent in West Lothian

Five of them are free to visit or to walk around. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow

Photo: AlistairMcMillan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Linlithgow

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace is the roofless ruin of a royal palace built by the Stewart kings over two centuries, and the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. It stands on a green mound called the Peel, beside Linlithgow Loch, with the queen's bedchamber window and Queen Margaret's Bower among its highlights.

The Peel parkland around the palace and the loch shore make a gentle walk even for someone who does not go inside, and the town centre with its cafés is right next to it.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Linlithgow

St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow

Photo: AlistairMcMillan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Linlithgow

St Michael's Parish Church

St Michael's is a large medieval parish church next to Linlithgow Palace, one of the finest in Scotland, crowned with a modern aluminium spire. Inside are fine stained glass and stonework from the church's long royal connections.

It is open daily from spring to autumn and in the mornings in winter, and sits next to the palace so both can be seen in one short visit.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Linlithgow

Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow

Photo: Greg Fitchett, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Linlithgow

Beecraigs Country Park

Beecraigs Country Park covers 370 hectares high in the Bathgate Hills above Linlithgow, with woodland walks, a loch, fields of sheep and cattle, and a visitor centre. The Hideaway Café and a play area are near the visitor centre.

Admission is free all year, and the visitor centre, café and toilets make a good base for a short waymarked woodland walk.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free admission

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Linlithgow

House of the Binns, Linlithgow

Photo: Elisa.rolle, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Linlithgow

House of the Binns

The House of the Binns is a 17th-century house near Linlithgow, home of the Dalyell family for 400 years and now cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, with fine plaster ceilings. Its landscaped parkland has waymarked trails, sheep and a colony of peafowl.

Two disabled parking spaces are at the main door and there is wheelchair access to the ground floor, with a video of the upper floor for those who stay downstairs; house visits are by pre-booked tour.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Linlithgow

Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston

Photo: Rubiseany, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Livingston

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Almond Valley in Livingston is a farm and heritage centre with friendly farm animals, a historic watermill, a narrow-gauge railway and displays on the local shale oil industry. There is a family café and picnic areas.

There is level access into reception, the other buildings are on one level, disabled parking bays are right in front of the entrance, and one carer goes free.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, one carer free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Livingston

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, East Calder

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · East Calder

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park

Almondell and Calderwood Country Park lies in the valley of the River Almond between Broxburn and East Calder, with riverside walks, old bridges and a visitor centre. Calderwood is left as natural woodland, home to roe deer, herons and woodpeckers.

Admission is free all year, and the visitor centre and garden toilets give a base for a short riverside walk, though the valley paths include some slopes.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free admission

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near East Calder

Polkemmet Country Park

Park · Whitburn

Polkemmet Country Park

Polkemmet Country Park near Whitburn is 168 acres of woodland and riverside walks on the former estate of the Baillie family, with picnic areas and a golf course. The visitor centre in the old stables serves snacks and is the entrance to the Scottish Owl Centre.

The park is free all year, there are picnic areas with seating, and the visitor centre offers refreshments and toilets, so a short woodland walk is easy to plan.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free admission

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Whitburn

Bennie Museum

Museum · Bathgate

Bennie Museum

The Bennie Museum is a volunteer-run museum of Bathgate's history and everyday life, opened in 1989. Its collections cover local people, trades and events over the centuries.

Admission is free and it is open almost every day, and a small museum like this makes a short, unhurried visit in the town.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free admission

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Bathgate

Regular groups and events in West Lothian

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in West Lothian.

  • Gardening · LinlithgowBurgh Beautiful volunteer gardening in LinlithgowA volunteer group of more than 100 people who plant and maintain beds, baskets and green spaces around the town. A carer can go along with someone for a short session, taking a folding seat and choosing light jobs such as deadheading or potting up rather than digging.Details
  • Music · LinlithgowMonthly afternoon folk session in LinlithgowThe Linlithgow Folk Festival Association runs music sessions on the third Sunday of the month from 2pm, as well as an evening session earlier in the month. The daytime timing suits someone who does not like late nights, and a carer can arrange a lift, find a seat away from the speakers and stay for the first hour or two.Details
  • Music · LinlithgowLinlithgow Arts Guild concert seasonA volunteer run guild promoting professional classical concerts in the town, generally from October to April, in venues including St Michael's Parish Church and Linlithgow Academy. A carer can book seats near the door, arrange transport for winter evenings and help with the interval queue.Details
  • Dancing · UphallScottish country dance class in UphallThe RSCDS West Lothian Branch runs an adult class on Wednesday afternoons for people learning or brushing up their technique, plus branch dances through the year. An afternoon start makes transport easier, and a carer can stay for the tea break and help with sets when numbers are uneven.Details
  • Dancing · LivingstonAgeing Well dance sessions for the over 50sWest Lothian Council and Xcite run the Ageing Well Changing Lifestyles project for adults over 50, which includes a weekly dance class alongside other activity sessions. A carer can go along the first few times, handle the booking and make sure there is a chair to rest in between dances.Details
  • Photography · LivingstonLivingston Camera ClubA community camera club open to anyone from beginners to experienced photographers, with meetings, competitions and exhibitions. A carer can sit in on the first evening, help load pictures for a competition and suggest nearby spots for practice between meetings.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in West Lothian

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Linlithgow PalaceLinlithgowan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
St Michael's Parish ChurchLinlithgowan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Beecraigs Country ParkLinlithgowhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
House of the BinnsLinlithgowan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
Almond Valley Heritage CentreLivingstonhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyAskYes
Almondell and Calderwood Country ParkEast Calderan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Polkemmet Country ParkWhitburnan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Bennie MuseumBathgatean hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in West Lothian

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

ArmadaleBroxburnStoneyburnLivingstonBlackridgeEast Calder12345678
  1. 1Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow
  2. 2St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow
  3. 3Beecraigs Country Park, Linlithgow
  4. 4House of the Binns, Linlithgow
  5. 5Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Livingston
  6. 6Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, East Calder
  7. 7Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn
  8. 8Bennie Museum, Bathgate

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in West Lothian

Carers in West Lothian charge £19 to £20 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £19, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £76 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in West Lothian has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in West Lothian

Linlithgow Palace in Linlithgow, St Michael's Parish Church in Linlithgow, Beecraigs Country Park in Linlithgow, House of the Binns in Linlithgow, Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park in East Calder, Polkemmet Country Park in Whitburn and Bennie Museum in Bathgate. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

St Michael's Parish Church, Beecraigs Country Park, Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, Polkemmet Country Park and Bennie Museum. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 21 of the carers with a rate near West Lothian drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £19 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in West Lothian shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of West Lothian

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around West Lothian

Days out in the areas around West Lothian

Companionship care by town in West Lothian

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in West Lothian

See carers near West Lothian who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

Search carers in West LothianCall 0203 369 3624
Free to searchNo obligationVetted & insuredYou choose the carer