Bonnytoun Doocot
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Bonnytoun Doocot

4.8
·4 reviews·, United Kingdom

Discover the Bonnytoun Doocot, a medieval toilet at Linlithgow Palace, offering a unique glimpse into castle life and a tranquil garden retreat.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring mornings

Blooms and fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Bonnytoun Doocot

Bonnytoun Doocot

Best Time

Spring mornings

Blooms and fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover the Bonnytoun Doocot, a medieval toilet at Linlithgow Palace, offering a unique glimpse into castle life and a tranquil garden retreat.

4.8
(4 reviews)

"A peaceful haven to enjoy quiet reflection with excellent information boards."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Garden

Enjoy the peaceful garden and read the informative boards about its history and plants.

🏰 Connect to Palace History

Understand the Doocot's role within the larger Linlithgow Palace complex.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bonnytoun Doocot (Medieval Toilet)

Bonnytoun Doocot (Medieval Toilet)

Linlithgow Palace grounds

Step back in time at this unique medieval toilet, a fascinating glimpse into castle life and sanitation.

TikTok
Peaceful Garden

Peaceful Garden

Across from the canal

A serene garden offering quiet reflection and historical insights, beautifully maintained for visitors.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Discover the Doocot's History

Explore the fascinating history of the Bonnytoun Doocot, a medieval 'garderobe' or toilet. Learn about its unique construction and the daily life of those who lived in Linlithgow Palace. TikTok

A Peaceful Retreat

Enjoy the tranquility of this small garden, a perfect spot for quiet reflection. Information boards offer insights into its history and plant life, making it a well-maintained haven. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring mornings
Why
Blooms and fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Quiet reflection time
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

This Medieval toilet can be found at Linlithgow Palace, Scotland. In the medieval period luxury castles were built with indoor toilets known as ‘garderobes’. As with many castles of the era, chutes beneath the garderobes were built so that the waste fell into a pit which could be emptied from outside the building. #medievaltiktok #Scotland #castles
@scotlandhiddenadventures
212.2K likes • 3.1M views

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Garden

Enjoy the peaceful garden and read the informative boards about its history and plants. Reddit

🏰 Connect to Palace History

Understand the Doocot's role within the larger Linlithgow Palace complex. TikTok

Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace 🐴🏰⚔️ No worries if you missed it! The next Spectacular Jousting event will be held at Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries on the 26th and 27th July. #Scotland #jousting #medieval #historicscotland #visitscotland #scotlandtravel
@annasweeworld
97.6K likes • 725.3K views
Linlithgow Palace stands on a low hill above a small inland loch. The name Linlithgow means ‘the loch in the damp hollow’. The Stewart queens especially liked the peace and fresh air, and Linlithgow Palace served as the royal nursery in numerous occasions. Once an impressive royal residence of the Stewarts, Linlithgow Palace is today a roofless romantic ruin. Yet exploring the maze-like interior w...
@scotlandhiddenadventures
72.7K likes • 811.6K views

📸 Capture the Serenity

This tranquil spot offers lovely photo opportunities, especially in soft light. Instagram

Mary Stuart nasceu exatamente aqui, chama Linlithgow Palace, vim de trem e deu uma meia hora de Edimburgo. Queria muito conhecer esse lugar, foi emocionante 🥹 eu tô fazendo um intercâmbio de um mês, mas se quiser meu de viagem rápida pela Escócia, o link tá na bio ✨💕 #Scotland #escocia #marystuart
@euamoaescocia
16.5K likes • 106K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Garden

Enjoy the peaceful garden and read the informative boards about its history and plants. Reddit

🏰 Connect to Palace History

Understand the Doocot's role within the larger Linlithgow Palace complex. TikTok

📸 Capture the Serenity

This tranquil spot offers lovely photo opportunities, especially in soft light. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.8
(4 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors appreciate the Bonnytoun Doocot for its unique historical insight into medieval life and the peaceful, well-maintained garden it resides in. It's seen as a quiet haven offering historical context and a pleasant spot for reflection, though some note its small size.

"Beautiful and peaceful little garden across the road from the canal. Excellent information boards explaining a bit about the history of the garden, the plant life ...etc. Very well maintained"

Brian Henderson

"A peaceful haven to enjoy quiet reflection."

Simon Hawkes

"Small garden area with a lot of History"

Eamonn Matson

What People Like

Fascinating historical insight
Peaceful garden setting
Informative boards

What People Dislike

Small size

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Bonnytoun Doocot is located near Linlithgow Palace. You can reach Linlithgow Palace by train from Edinburgh in about 30 minutes. TikTok The doocot and its garden are situated across from the canal, making it easily accessible on foot once you are in the area.

Parking is available at Linlithgow Palace. From there, it's a short walk to the doocot and the adjacent garden. Check local signage for the most up-to-date parking information.

While not always a formal part of guided tours, the doocot and its garden are within the vicinity of Linlithgow Palace and can be explored independently. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Entry to the garden and viewing the exterior of the Bonnytoun Doocot is generally free. However, access to Linlithgow Palace itself may require an admission fee. TikTok

The garden is typically open during daylight hours, aligning with the general accessibility of the Linlithgow Palace grounds. It's best to check with Historic Environment Scotland for specific timings.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The Bonnytoun Doocot is a fascinating medieval structure that served as a 'garderobe,' essentially a toilet within Linlithgow Palace. It offers a unique insight into historical sanitation. TikTok

You can explore the small, well-maintained garden surrounding the doocot, read the informative boards detailing its history and the local flora, and imagine life in medieval times. Reddit

Yes, children might find the concept of a medieval toilet intriguing. The garden provides a safe space for them to explore and learn about history in a hands-on way.

Restroom facilities are available at the nearby Linlithgow Palace visitor center. It's advisable to use these facilities before exploring the doocot area.

📸 📸 Photography

The garden itself offers charming angles, especially with the doocot as a focal point. The canal nearby also provides scenic backdrops. Instagram

Yes, personal photography is generally allowed in the garden and around the exterior of the doocot. Be mindful of other visitors enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Bonnytoun Doocot can be a surprisingly engaging stop for families. The concept of a medieval toilet is often a point of fascination for children, making history feel more tangible and fun. TikTok The adjacent garden provides a safe and pleasant area for kids to explore, and the informative boards can spark their curiosity about the past. It's a great opportunity to discuss historical living conditions in a relatable way.

🚶‍♀️ Solo Travelers & History Buffs

For solo travelers and history enthusiasts, the Bonnytoun Doocot offers a unique and intimate historical experience. It’s a chance to delve into the less glamorous, yet crucial, aspects of medieval life. The quiet garden is perfect for solitary contemplation and absorbing the historical context without the hustle of larger attractions. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Medieval 'Garderobe' Explained

The Bonnytoun Doocot is a remarkable example of a medieval 'garderobe,' a term often associated with toilets in castles. Unlike modern bathrooms, these were typically chutes built into the castle walls. Waste would fall through these chutes into a pit outside the building, which could then be emptied. TikTok This system, while basic by today's standards, was a significant development in castle sanitation for its time, offering a degree of privacy and hygiene compared to earlier methods.

Visiting the Bonnytoun Doocot provides a tangible connection to the daily lives of people in the medieval period. It’s a stark reminder of how much our living conditions have evolved. The structure itself, though small, is a testament to the ingenuity of medieval architecture. It’s a unique historical artifact that sparks curiosity and conversation about the past. TikTok

A Tranquil Garden Oasis

Beyond its historical significance, the area around the Bonnytoun Doocot has been transformed into a peaceful garden. This space offers a welcome respite, allowing visitors to enjoy a moment of quiet reflection. The garden is thoughtfully maintained, with information boards that enrich the experience by detailing the history of the site and the local plant life. Reddit

This garden serves as a beautiful contrast to the rugged history of the doocot and the grandeur of Linlithgow Palace. It’s a place where you can sit, relax, and absorb the atmosphere. The proximity to the canal adds to the scenic beauty, making it a pleasant spot for a leisurely stroll or a quiet moment of contemplation. Reddit

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