Bathgate Castle
Bathgate Castle was a medieval motte-and-bailey fortress that served as the caput of the barony of Bathgate. Likely built in the 12th century and still in use into the early 14th century, it was abandoned after 1327. Today only the motte and surviving earthworks remain within the grounds of a modern golf course.
Its prime
1314
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1314
What Bathgate Castle looked like in its prime.
A turf-covered circular motte rises from a shallow encircling ditch and bank, surmounted by a timber palisade and simple wooden hall and service sheds on its summit; a lower, irregular bailey adjoins the motte, enclosed by earth banks and palisade with compacted earthen tracks between buildings. All structures are timber-framed with thatch or wooden roofs; surrounding landscape is open lowland farmland with a visible track following the route toward Linlithgow.
Its story
The story of Bathgate Castle.
Bathgate Castle was a motte-and-bailey castle near Bathgate in West Lothian, serving as the caput — the administrative centre — of the barony of Bathgate. It was likely constructed in the 12th century as a fortified residence for the local barony, and remained in use into the early 14th century.
The castle was abandoned after 1327. Today only the motte and some earthworks survive, and the site lies within the grounds of a modern golf course.
Step inside
6 places to explore in 1314.
The record describes 6 distinct spots at Bathgate Castle — including 2 interiors: top of the motte within the timber palisade, bailey interior with service buildings. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Create History
Recreate Bathgate Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1314 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
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