What's it all about?

Linlithgow's annual civic festival is centred around the Riding of the Marches, which takes place every year on the first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June.

The Round Table produce an excellent Civic Festival Programme which is distributed widely throughout the town for £2.50, and the information reproduced here is taken from this guide.  Please refer to the Programme for more details.

There are also websites dedicated to the Marches and the Children's Gala Day.

Linlithgow Civic Festival Programme 2008

Marquee

The Marquee will be erected in the grounds of Linlithgow Rugby Club at Mains Park and will be used for many of the Civic Festival events.

More details of these events can be found in the Round Table Programme, available from

Fri 6 June:
Eve of Marches Dinner Dance in the Marquee 7:30 for 8pm till 1:00am (by Invitation Only contact Liz Park Tel: 01506 847598)
Sat 7 June:
Primary Schools Football Festival   - From 9am at Linlithgow Sports Centre.
St Michael's Day Centre/LYPP Fête  - Marquee. Contact: Tom Conn 01506 845920
Deacons Procession - Departing from the West Port at 6:30pm.  Deacons appointed by local organisations and works, accompanied by bands and supporters, parade from the West Port to the Cross. The Provost of the Deacon’s Court offers toasts from the Loving Cup.
Rugby Club 'Oldies' Disco with 'Smoking Jakes' - Marquee 8pm till late Contact: Craig Young 07890 124217
Mon 9 June:
Duck Race - Lochmill Burn, Millburn Lane (off St Ninians Road) 7pm Contact: Ian Gibson 01506 845468
Mon 9 & Tues 10 June:
Dyers/Deacons Court Beer Featival - Marquee times tba.  Contacts: Bobbie Bennie or Norman Cummings.
Tues 10 June:
Ladies Fashion Show - Linlithgow Academy 7:30pm Contact: Sandra Lindsay 01506 844152.  Tickets from Norman Cummings Textiles and Stewart Electricals.
Wed 11 June:
Fiddlers Rally - Marquee 7:30pm Contact Derek Henderson 01506 844787
Fri 13 June:
Crying the Marches - 1pm at the Low Port.  The Town Crier, Halberdiers, Flautists and Drummer parade form the Low Port to West Port calling “Burgesses, Craftsmen and Inhabitants” to the Marches
Provost's Dinner - 7pm - 12am Marquee.  Tickets £30 from Deacons Court Members or Neil Millar 01506 843879
Sat 14 June:
Summer Fun Day - 1:30 - 4 pm at Linlithgow Rugby Club.  Contact Colin Bell on 01506 671270 if you would like a stall  Click for Poster
Deacons Procession - departing from the West Port at 6:30pm.  Deacons appointed by local organisations and works, accompanied by bands and supporters, parade from the West Port to the Cross. The Provost of the Deacon’s Court offers toasts from the Loving Cup.
Tom Jones Tribute Act and Dj Eric Donaldson plus lots more - 8pm till 1am - WSA supporting the marquee
Tickets £10 from 01506 844 844, 4 Marys, Norman Cumming Textiles, or the Gazette office  <More>
Sun 15 June:
Folk Session - Marches Music, Songs & Poems -  2pm at Black Bitch Tavern.    Linlithgow Folk Festival Association's monthly session, open to all who want to attend or join in.
Songs of Praise - Linlithgow Churches 8-9pm Marquee Contact Rev Dr S Gillon on 01506 842195.
Mon 16 June:
Gala Day Childrens' Disco - Marquee 7-9pm Contact: Evelyn Kidd 01506 845216
Tues 17 June:
Linlithgow Marches 5am-6pm - The big event in Linlithgow's year.  See more details here or visit the official Linlithgow Marches Website for more information
Wed 18 June:
Scotch Hop - Scottish Dancing for All - Linlithgow Palace Courtyard at 7:30pm Tickets at the door. Contact: John Carswell on 01506 845698 or see the Scotch Hop Website.
Springfield Karate Club Marquee Contact Fred Johnston
Thu 19 June:
Grapevine Twinning & West Lothian Schools Music - Marquee Contact: Alistair Old on 01506 845663
Fri 20 June:
Young Writer - Marquee Contact: Irene Brough on 01506 776327 (By Invitation Only)
Sat 21 June:
Children's Gala Day - 12 noon.  Procession sets off from Linlithgow Bridge and makes its way along the High Street to the Peel.  Visit the Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Gala Day website or contact Evelyn Kidd on 01506 845216 for more information
Ceilidh & Disco featuring Last Tram Tae Auchenshuggle - 8pm till 1am Marquee.  LGB Karate & Linlithgow Academy Fencing Club.  Tickets £10 from the Four Marys or Norman Cummings Textiles.  Contact Janine on 01506 845810.