This early calotype was taken from Linlithgow’s recently-built railway station and shows a view of the town to the north-west. Clearly visible is Linlithgow Palace, a ruin since a fire destroyed the building in 1746. Built around 1425 by James I of Scotland and his successors, it was the birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots. During the fifteenth century, work was started on the reconstruction of St Michael’s Church which had also been devastated by a fire. The church took 115 years to rebuild. Numerous changes have since been made to both the interior and exterior, the most recent of which is the modern metal spire that was erected in 1964.