Linlithgow Civic Trust has recently published a book that reveals, for the first time, the amount of ancient building work that survives unseen behind present-day frontages along Linlithgow High Street. The work of Linlithgow-bred architect Laurie Alexander who sadly died in 2023, the book is a historical and architectural detective story showing how, over time, nearly all the High Street’s buildings were extended forward, narrowing the highway and concealing earlier structures, some dating back to the 16th century or before.
Perhaps the most striking features of the book are Laurie’s drawings of former or hidden frontages of buildings, superimposed on more modern photographs.
“In my opinion, Laurie Alexander’s work is the best body of original research that I encountered in all my years of working in West Lothian local history”.
Sybil Cavanagh – West Lothian Council’s local history librarian from 1990 until 2016
