Talk on Hamilton Palace

Hamilton Palace and the Dukes of Hamilton

Hamilton Palace and the Dukes of Hamilton is the subject of the next talk at the West Lothian History and Amenity Society. Hamilton Palace was the stateliest of stately homes – the largest non-royal residence in the UK. Thanks to their immense wealth and power, its owners, the Dukes of Hamilton built up fabulous collections of paintings, sculptures and other works of art . The 12th Duke in the 19th century managed to get rid of his fortune through an obsession with horse-racing – taxation and subsidence did for the house itself and it was demolished in the 1920s.

The Hamiltons owned extensive lands around Bo’ness and Linlithgow, so there are plenty of local connections. The house was demolished in the 1920s, at the time that Bangour Village Memorial Church was being built, and some of the sandstone from the Palace was used at the church.

The talk takes place at Chalmers Hall, Linlithgow Bridge on Wednesday 17 May at 7.30pm. All are welcome, including non-members – a small donation would be appreciated.