SMR 246 / NS 9829 7718
The public house at Linlithgow Bridge catered for travellers on the Great Road from Edinburgh to Stirling. It stands near the west end of the bridge on the corner of the road to Whitecross. This road had been the main route westwards before the construction of the turnpike road in the mid 18th century. The building with its rear yard is shown on Roy’s map of 1755.
The public house is a two-storey building of the usual disposition – central doorway with a window to either side and three windows on the first floor. It has a ridged pantile roof and the walls are whitewashed. An extensive two-storey north range probably held the associated brewery with stables behind. It still possesses a fore-stair and although formerly whitewashed is now plain stone and houses a restaurant.
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A few houses were built nearby on the Stirlingshire side of the bridge, but the main settlement which took the name of “Linlithgow Bridge” lay on the Linlithgow side. It included a licensed grocer and the Caledonian Mercury of 25 August 1735 mentions a
“change-house at the east end of Linlithgow bridge now more frequented than formerly, since the roads were mended by General Wade.”
James Harvie, inn-keeper, Linlithgow Bridge is listed amongst the Jacobite rebels held prisoner at Carlisle in 1746. The use of the term “inn” shows that at this time there was accommodation for travellers there. By 1785 the inn-keeper was John Robert. A toll bar was placed just to the north of the inn around 1813 and a toll house was erected adjacent to it for the keeper.
In 1817 the publican was Edward Hog, and he was followed by William Boyd. The owners, however, were shareholders and in 1832 John Risk’s shares were for sale:
“SUBJECTS AT LINLITHGOW BRIDGE To be sold by public roup, in the Red Lion Inn, Falkirk, upon Thursday the 5th day of April 1832, at 2 afternoon, in virtue of the powers contained in a bond and disposition in security.
Three just and equal Fourth Parts or SHARES, pro indiviso, of those Subjects at Linlithgow Bridge, presently occupied by William Boyd, change-keeper, and others, being a part of the Lands of Almond, in the county of Stirlingshire, sometime possessed by John Risk.
The property is well adapted for an Inn, and the principal part of it has been long used for that purpose…” (Edinburgh Evening Courant 27 February 1832, 1).
| 1745 | John Harvie | |
| 1817 | Edward Hog | |
| 1832 | William Boyd | |
| 1842 | Lockhart | |
| c1852-1862 | Robert Stewart | |
| 1862 | Ann Fisher or Stewart | Widow |
| 1874-1876 | Peter Battison | Tenant of Ann Stewart, died of typhoid? |
| 1877 – | Elizabeth Jarvie or Battison | Widow |
Bibliography
NEWSPAPERS
- Caledonian Mercury, 25 August 1735, 4:
The change-house at the east end of Linlithgow bridge now more frequented than formerly, since the roads were mended by General Wade… - Scots Magazine, 5 September 1746, 38:
Proceedings against the Rebels at Carlisle: James Harvie innkeeper at Linlithgow bridge… - Caledonian Mercury, 6 April 1785, 1:
To the Creditors of John Gib Distiller at Polmont, in Stirlingshire. The Creditors of the said John Gib met at Polmont upon the 2d April, for the purpose of choosing an interim-factor upon his sequestered estate, in terms of an appointment of the Lord Eliock, Ordinary, they made choice of James M’Nure, clerk to Robert Hart merchant in Borrowstounness, to be interim-factor; and appointed the general meeting of the creditors for choosing a trustee or trustees upon the sequestered estate, to be held in the house of John Robert inn-keeper at Linlithgow bridge-end, upon Saturday the 14th day of May next, at twelve o’clock noon. The said James M’Nure, therefore, requires the … - Caledonian Mercury, 20 February 1817, 3:
To be SOLD by public roup, within the house of Edward Hog, at Linlithgow Bridge - Edinburgh Evening Courant, 27 February 1832, 1:
SUBJECTS AT LINLITHGOW BRIDGE To be sold by public roup, in the Red Lion Inn, Falkirk, upon Thursday the 5th day of April 1832, at 2 afternoon, in virtue of the powers contained in a bond and disposition in security.- Three just and equal Fourth Parts or SHARES, pro indiviso, of those Subjects at Linlithgow Bridge, presently occupied by William Boyd, change-keeper, and others, being a part of the Lands of Almond, in the county of Stirlingshire, sometime possessed by John Risk.
- The property is well adapted for an Inn, and the principal part of it has been long used for that purpose…
- The Scotsman, 1 October 1842, 1:
To be sold by public roup within Mr Lockhart’s Public-house, Linlithgow-bridge… - John O’ Groat Journal, 1 August 1845, 4:
the heroes of Waterloo now present, viz.:—David Baird, Linlithgow-bridge, and Thomas Bartram, Bathgate, of the Grenadier Guards, John Muirhead, Bathgate, of the 79th Highlanders, William… - Falkirk Herald, 24 June 1852, 2;
A LADY’S PLAID SHAWL; the Owner may have the same on applying at Stewart’s Inn, Linlithgow Bridge, and paving the expenses incurred. - Stirling Observer, 10 July 1856, 2:
charged with having, on 13th May last, stolen a barrel from the house of publican named Margaret Arthur or Gibb, near Linlithgow Bridge - Falkirk Herald, 12 November 1857, 2:
HIGHLAND QUEY FOUND at Linlithgow on Saturday the 7th Nov. The Owner may have it by applying to Robert Stewart, Innkeeper, Linlithgow Bridge, on paying expenses. - Stirling Observer, 1 May 1862, 1:
Mrs. Ann Fisher or Stewart, Widow of the late Robert Stewart or M’Culloch, Publican, Linlithgow Bridge, Public House, Linlithgow Bridge. List of new licence applications… - Falkirk Herald, 16 January 1866, 2:
The clerk read an information Mr Beatson, supervisor of excise, charging Ann Stewart, Linlithgow Bridge, with having, on the 1st of December last, sold one gill of sherry wine without taking out a licence in that behalf… - Stirling Journal & Advertiser, 9 April 1875, 1:
Peter Battison, publican, Linlithgow bridge – public house licence for premises at Linlithgow Bridge owned by Mrs Ann Stewart. Renewal of transferred certificate. - Alloa Advertiser, 17 July 1875, 3:
At Linlithgow Bridge, the 13th Inst, by the Rev. Keith, James Wylie, Bonnytonride, to Margaret Stewart, youngest daughter the late Robert Stewart. Linlithgow bridge. - Bridge of Allan Reporter, 18 November 1876, 3:
At Linlithgow Bridge, death on 15th inst of Peter Battison. [typhoid?] - Stirling Observer, 19 April 1877, 6:
Transfer of licence to Mrs Battison, Linlithgow Bridge, public house. - Falkirk Herald, 19 April 1877, 2: Granted Elizabeth Jarvie or Battison of Linlithgow Bridge for public-house at Muiravonside.
- Falkirk Herald, 1 April 1882, 2: charged with committing a breach of the peace on Saturday morning, at the public-house occupied by Elizabeth Jarvie, Linlithgow bridge, and with using violent and threatening language towards the inmates of the said house. He pled guilty, remarking by…
- Falkirk Herald, 15 June 1887, 5:
THE HALT LINLITHGOW BRIDGE. At the old bridge came the first call for refreshments. The company dispersed about the vicinage, while the Provost, Councillors, and the ancient Fraternity of Dyers gathered within Mrs Battison’s Inn. There the courteous pledging…- To 16 Nov 1887
Falkirk Local History Society 