Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress, near the village of Blackness, Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth.
It was built, probably on the site of an earlier fort, by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s. At this time, Blackness was the main port serving the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarch. The castle, together with the Crichton lands, passed to James II of Scotland in 1453, and the castle has been crown property ever since. It served as a state prison, holding such prisoners as Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus.
We absolutely loved our visit to Blackness Castle. There is so much to see. You really get to explore the castle and there is plenty of information about what you are looking at with regards to it's historic use. We have two boys (5&7) and they had a ball. Its quite uneven ground for walking on in the courtyard and there are heaps of stairs. But it is so worth a visit. The staff were all wonderful too.
vicky lothianApr 15, 2018
Absolutely lovely little castle. Loved the way the natural rock was part of the flooring in some places. X
Zezoo StewartApr 15, 2018
THis place is incredible. Nothing like it exists in the U.S. Ancient Awesome A must see if you are going to Scotland. The Director, Graeme Sinclair is very knowledgeable, personable and Kevin in the gift shop is too. I got a cool Scotch snifter glass called a "Noser". Tell them Regan and Dana sent you.
dana hallApr 4, 2018
Gorgeous castle on the firth of forth. This was my third castle on my trip and my favourite. The views across the firth over looking the two road bridges and the rail bridge are great. Spent an hour here as closed at 4.30 but could have spent another 45 minutes walking around. Will visit again next time in Scotland
Jolene HartleyNov 17, 2017
Good value for the entrance price. There is more to see than you would imagine from the outside. Interesting place.
Ann AttwoodFeb 22, 2018
An attractive little castle, on the water edge. Has an interesting history giving it some unique features. However is completely empty with only minimal information. Can go up around the walls and the tower, good views on clear days. Make sure you walk back to the village to get view of castle over the water.
Stephen BennettMay 17, 2018
Well maintained and offering lots of rooms to explore. The castle was used as a filming location for Outlander. Great views over the Firth of Forth from the high towers and on the walkway platform. The surrounding area is lovely and good for exploring. Make sure not to miss the ruins up on the hill just outside the castle entrance.
D WilkinsonMay 24, 2018
Brilliant little place, steeped in history. There are knowledgeable staff on site, not that they are needed because Historic Scotland who own the site have information boards up throughout the castle explaining what each area was used for. Worth a visit.
Scotty DMay 21, 2018
One of historic Scotland's hidden gems the best photo opportunities for the forth and the bridges ,oh and of course the outlander tie in too which makes blackness very busy over the weekend ,suggest you visit midweek. Not the best for accessibility very rough ground and lots of stairs in castle but grounds easily accessible from car park.
riggy42May 24, 2018
I give it 5 stars because of its location and state of preservation. It is on a headland sticking out into the Forth, so great view of the Bridges, at low tide it can be viewed from the shore and the rocks, it is next to a large grassy picnic area and small beaches either side, the interesting history is well represented in the features of the castle, there are several buildings to explore along with the castle walls and the dock. So on a hot summer's day, easy to spend more than an hour here.
Joseph KincaidJul 9, 2018
If you enjoy Scottish history well worth a visit. There are information boards all over the grounds and in the rooms. It can take well over an hour to walk round as the vast majority of rooms and battlements etc are open to the public. The cost is reasonable with concession for elderly. I wouldn't recommend it for those with mobility issues as some of the inner grounds are very uneven and the stairs...being very old...are cramped and steep. There are toilet facilities but, apart from snacks and a coffee machine, little else. Strangely though, dogs are permitted if kept on a lead! There are pleasant beach and woodland walks nearby as well as pubs and places to eat.
Paul O'HaraJul 12, 2018
Very nice place & plenty of history. (It's a castle, it should have !) It's got history of been used in many films & TV productions. Staff are pleasant and helpful... I'd have given it 5 stars but it does lack a coffee shop & with the TV & film.. There's plenty of people just come for that!!
Neil EllertonJun 22, 2018
Absolutely amazingly intact 14th century castle! For such a relatively small land footprint there is so much to explore, rooms galore, nooks and crannies, fireplaces, ramparts etc. Lovely, well kept grounds also. I highly recommend a visit if you are nearby, very easy to get to, though take caution on the B-Road towards the village of Blackness itself if driving. If you like castles, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Andrew MacGregorJun 4, 2018
We absolutely loved our visit to Blackness Castle. There is so much to see. You really get to explore the castle and there is plenty of information about what you are looking at with regards to it's historic use. We have two boys (5&7) and they had a ball. Its quite uneven ground for walking on in the courtyard and there are heaps of stairs. But it is so worth a visit. The staff were all wonderful too.
vicky lothianApr 15, 2018
Absolutely lovely little castle. Loved the way the natural rock was part of the flooring in some places. X
Zezoo StewartApr 15, 2018
THis place is incredible. Nothing like it exists in the U.S. Ancient Awesome A must see if you are going to Scotland. The Director, Graeme Sinclair is very knowledgeable, personable and Kevin in the gift shop is too. I got a cool Scotch snifter glass called a "Noser". Tell them Regan and Dana sent you.
dana hallApr 4, 2018
Gorgeous castle on the firth of forth. This was my third castle on my trip and my favourite. The views across the firth over looking the two road bridges and the rail bridge are great. Spent an hour here as closed at 4.30 but could have spent another 45 minutes walking around. Will visit again next time in Scotland
Jolene HartleyNov 17, 2017
Good value for the entrance price. There is more to see than you would imagine from the outside. Interesting place.
Ann AttwoodFeb 22, 2018
An attractive little castle, on the water edge. Has an interesting history giving it some unique features. However is completely empty with only minimal information. Can go up around the walls and the tower, good views on clear days. Make sure you walk back to the village to get view of castle over the water.
Stephen BennettMay 17, 2018
Well maintained and offering lots of rooms to explore. The castle was used as a filming location for Outlander. Great views over the Firth of Forth from the high towers and on the walkway platform. The surrounding area is lovely and good for exploring. Make sure not to miss the ruins up on the hill just outside the castle entrance.
D WilkinsonMay 24, 2018
Brilliant little place, steeped in history. There are knowledgeable staff on site, not that they are needed because Historic Scotland who own the site have information boards up throughout the castle explaining what each area was used for. Worth a visit.
Scotty DMay 21, 2018
One of historic Scotland's hidden gems the best photo opportunities for the forth and the bridges ,oh and of course the outlander tie in too which makes blackness very busy over the weekend ,suggest you visit midweek. Not the best for accessibility very rough ground and lots of stairs in castle but grounds easily accessible from car park.
riggy42May 24, 2018
I give it 5 stars because of its location and state of preservation. It is on a headland sticking out into the Forth, so great view of the Bridges, at low tide it can be viewed from the shore and the rocks, it is next to a large grassy picnic area and small beaches either side, the interesting history is well represented in the features of the castle, there are several buildings to explore along with the castle walls and the dock. So on a hot summer's day, easy to spend more than an hour here.
Joseph KincaidJul 9, 2018
If you enjoy Scottish history well worth a visit. There are information boards all over the grounds and in the rooms. It can take well over an hour to walk round as the vast majority of rooms and battlements etc are open to the public. The cost is reasonable with concession for elderly. I wouldn't recommend it for those with mobility issues as some of the inner grounds are very uneven and the stairs...being very old...are cramped and steep. There are toilet facilities but, apart from snacks and a coffee machine, little else. Strangely though, dogs are permitted if kept on a lead! There are pleasant beach and woodland walks nearby as well as pubs and places to eat.
Paul O'HaraJul 12, 2018
Very nice place & plenty of history. (It's a castle, it should have !) It's got history of been used in many films & TV productions. Staff are pleasant and helpful... I'd have given it 5 stars but it does lack a coffee shop & with the TV & film.. There's plenty of people just come for that!!
Neil EllertonJun 22, 2018
Absolutely amazingly intact 14th century castle! For such a relatively small land footprint there is so much to explore, rooms galore, nooks and crannies, fireplaces, ramparts etc. Lovely, well kept grounds also. I highly recommend a visit if you are nearby, very easy to get to, though take caution on the B-Road towards the village of Blackness itself if driving. If you like castles, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Andrew MacGregorJun 4, 2018
We absolutely loved our visit to Blackness Castle. There is so much to see. You really get to explore the castle and there is plenty of information about what you are looking at with regards to it's historic use. We have two boys (5&7) and they had a ball. Its quite uneven ground for walking on in the courtyard and there are heaps of stairs. But it is so worth a visit. The staff were all wonderful too.
vicky lothianApr 15, 2018
Absolutely lovely little castle. Loved the way the natural rock was part of the flooring in some places. X
Zezoo StewartApr 15, 2018
THis place is incredible. Nothing like it exists in the U.S. Ancient Awesome A must see if you are going to Scotland. The Director, Graeme Sinclair is very knowledgeable, personable and Kevin in the gift shop is too. I got a cool Scotch snifter glass called a "Noser". Tell them Regan and Dana sent you.
dana hallApr 4, 2018
Gorgeous castle on the firth of forth. This was my third castle on my trip and my favourite. The views across the firth over looking the two road bridges and the rail bridge are great. Spent an hour here as closed at 4.30 but could have spent another 45 minutes walking around. Will visit again next time in Scotland
Jolene HartleyNov 17, 2017
Good value for the entrance price. There is more to see than you would imagine from the outside. Interesting place.
Ann AttwoodFeb 22, 2018
An attractive little castle, on the water edge. Has an interesting history giving it some unique features. However is completely empty with only minimal information. Can go up around the walls and the tower, good views on clear days. Make sure you walk back to the village to get view of castle over the water.
Stephen BennettMay 17, 2018
Well maintained and offering lots of rooms to explore. The castle was used as a filming location for Outlander. Great views over the Firth of Forth from the high towers and on the walkway platform. The surrounding area is lovely and good for exploring. Make sure not to miss the ruins up on the hill just outside the castle entrance.
D WilkinsonMay 24, 2018
Brilliant little place, steeped in history. There are knowledgeable staff on site, not that they are needed because Historic Scotland who own the site have information boards up throughout the castle explaining what each area was used for. Worth a visit.
Scotty DMay 21, 2018
One of historic Scotland's hidden gems the best photo opportunities for the forth and the bridges ,oh and of course the outlander tie in too which makes blackness very busy over the weekend ,suggest you visit midweek. Not the best for accessibility very rough ground and lots of stairs in castle but grounds easily accessible from car park.
riggy42May 24, 2018
I give it 5 stars because of its location and state of preservation. It is on a headland sticking out into the Forth, so great view of the Bridges, at low tide it can be viewed from the shore and the rocks, it is next to a large grassy picnic area and small beaches either side, the interesting history is well represented in the features of the castle, there are several buildings to explore along with the castle walls and the dock. So on a hot summer's day, easy to spend more than an hour here.
Joseph KincaidJul 9, 2018
If you enjoy Scottish history well worth a visit. There are information boards all over the grounds and in the rooms. It can take well over an hour to walk round as the vast majority of rooms and battlements etc are open to the public. The cost is reasonable with concession for elderly. I wouldn't recommend it for those with mobility issues as some of the inner grounds are very uneven and the stairs...being very old...are cramped and steep. There are toilet facilities but, apart from snacks and a coffee machine, little else. Strangely though, dogs are permitted if kept on a lead! There are pleasant beach and woodland walks nearby as well as pubs and places to eat.
Paul O'HaraJul 12, 2018
Very nice place & plenty of history. (It's a castle, it should have !) It's got history of been used in many films & TV productions. Staff are pleasant and helpful... I'd have given it 5 stars but it does lack a coffee shop & with the TV & film.. There's plenty of people just come for that!!
Neil EllertonJun 22, 2018
Absolutely amazingly intact 14th century castle! For such a relatively small land footprint there is so much to explore, rooms galore, nooks and crannies, fireplaces, ramparts etc. Lovely, well kept grounds also. I highly recommend a visit if you are nearby, very easy to get to, though take caution on the B-Road towards the village of Blackness itself if driving. If you like castles, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Andrew MacGregorJun 4, 2018
Monday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Thursday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Friday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Saturday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
Sunday | 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM |
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