Blackness Castle: Where History Meets the Firth of Forth 

 

Greetings, fellow castle enthusiasts!

Today, let’s set sail (metaphorically, of course) to Blackness Castle—a remarkable fortress perched on the shores of the Firth of Forth. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

 

A Stone Ship Ashore

📍 Location: Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH  Contact: 01506 834 807  Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

 

A Multifaceted Past

Blackness Castle wears its history like armour—layer upon layer of intrigue, resilience, and purpose. Let’s dive in:

 

The Crichtons and Royal Residence (15th Century):

Originally built in the 15th century, Blackness Castle served as a lordly residence for the Crichton family—one of Scotland’s powerful clans.

But wait, there’s more! It also played port duty for the nearby royal burgh of Linlithgow, where Scottish monarchs held court in their splendid palace.

The Ship That Never Sailed:

From the seaward side, Blackness appears like a great stone ship run aground. Its pointed stem juts into the water, while the square stern stands firmly on dry land.

The three towers enhance the illusion: the small ‘stem’ tower at the prow, the tall ‘main mast’ tower, and the solid ‘stern’ tower at the rear. No sails needed—just cannons!

Artillery Fortification (16th Century):

James V, ever wary of Henry VIII’s England, transformed Blackness into an artillery fortress and state prison.

Completed in 1542, it stood ready for the Wars of the Rough Wooing. No subtlety here—just brute masonry and cannons firing through strategically placed gun holes.

State Prison and High-Profile Prisoners:

Blackness wasn’t just a nobleman’s residence; it was a garrison stronghold and a state prison.

Cardinal David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews, languished here in 1543. He was a rival to the Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland during Mary Queen of Scots’ infancy.

Later, during the ‘Killing Time’ of the 1670s and 1680s, Covenanters faced confinement within these walls.

Foreign sailors and soldiers captured during wars with France, Spain, and the fledgling USA also found themselves imprisoned here.

 

Natural Beauty and Wildlife:

The foreshore and mudflats east of the castle are part of the River Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest. Overwintering birds flock here, and rare glasswort plants thrive.

Fun fact: Glasswort’s fleshy leaves were once used for soap and glass-making. Talk about versatile vegetation!

Visit Blackness Castle Today

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of dramatic views, or simply curious about the ship-shaped fortress, Blackness awaits your exploration. Bring your imagination, your camera, and a sense of wonder—it’s a voyage through time you won’t forget!

 

For more of the Castles in Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com/

 

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/blackness-castle-p248561

 

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