Blackness Castle

It’s a nice place to come and see, but I’d reccomended you add this on to another activity (such as exploring linlithgow palace which is a 20 minute drive away by car) as this is quite a small castle.
Also, wear good shoes– the ground has a lot of rock protruding and you’ll need to watch your step.

Blackness castle is located 4m NE of Linlithgow and a half hour ride from Edinburgh. Its maintained by Historic Scotland. There are toilets and a small shop.
Personally I was not particularly interested visiting this place, as all I knew was that it served as a prison and ammunition storage for a long time. BUT am I glad I visited. This stronghold holds an amazing part of history. Originally built as a residence for Sir George Crichton, Admiral of Scotland, in 1440 it soon became a strongpoint for the army and its troops due to its ideal location on the Firth of Forth. For most of its time it was in royal hands and the walls were thickened and more defence walls build. You are able to walk out onto the Forth on a bridge, which originally served the army ships to deliver ammunitions. I believe the bridge was added in the middle of the 19^th century.
During Mary Queen of Scots reign the castle was remodeled and fortified further. It served as a prison for 250 years and more (mainly for middle and upper class prisoners).Can you imagine?
History aside, I love the fact that there are benches in the castle grounds you can easily use for a picnic or a quick rest after having climbed both towers with at least 300 steps (umpf), lots of space to walk around the castle and near the water, wonderful views over the Firth of Forth (including all the bridges) be it from the top of the towers, the castle grounds, from top of the massively thick defensive walls or the end of the added bridge where I even encountered a very lazy slumbering cat. :-)
I will definitely be back! And I can defo say its worth a detour from the buzzing city life…

A small castle location with a modest grounds to wander and enjoy. The name suits it well as it’s a bit dark and broody-​looking. Not a lot to see, but still a pretty site.

I love this place. Perfect for a picnic or barbeque. Only 12 miles from Edinburgh. My favorite picnic spot. During the spring and summer time I visit this place very often.

One of my favourite castle in West Lothian.
Fantastic view and wonderful historic site.

Very impressive site, well worth a visit

nice and historic!

Very picturesque. Not as expensive as other historic scotland sites but that’s because it’ll take you less than an hour to see everything. on a nice day you could have a picnic here but on a cold day you’ll be in, round and out as quick as you can because it’s freezing. the man in the shop is lovely and very helpful.

Historic scotland so free to them and english heritage
This is a proper defensive castle on the firth forth
The walls of this 15 century castle are really thick as there was fortificaton work done in the 16 century
This was also a prison but stopped when the person fortifing it was done for treason
Olive cromwell took over the castle in the 17^th century
It changed again in the 19^th century when it became a ammunition depot and barrakcs were built
There are two good towers ajoined by a curtiain wall which you can walk along We got a little lost which way we came up the curtain wall and ended up back at the end we started at when we were heading for the other tower
The north tower has a pit prison
The central towers had lots of rooms and held the important prisoners
The national trust have a small shop here and the man running it has loads of information and is really nice
Ask about the shape of the castle — you wont look strange as he was telling us its hard to describe but he will know what you mean
The castle has been used in several films including hamlet
Walk along the pier as there is a nice view out there and if you look back you can see what I mean about the shape of the castle

Great views of the river Forth from the south, with stone beach and sailing boat harbour. Fortified outcrop in North West Lothian. Planned development to take cruises from castle up river.