Blackness Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic castles. Rising dramatically from the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, it is one of Scotland's most central and accessible Castles. Nicknamed "the ship that never sailed" due to its unique shape and coastal position.
The Castle has a long and fascinating history that stretches back to the 15th century. Its appearances on screen in Outlander gave the Castle international fame, making for a memorable visit.
Blackness Castle was built in the 1440s by Sir George Crichton, Admiral of Scotland, who intended it as a grand residence. However, its strategic location on the Firth of Forth soon made it an important Royal stronghold.
By 1453, the Crown had taken control, and over the centuries, the Castle evolved to meet the changing needs of warfare and Royal authority.
Its thick curtain walls, artillery towers, and strong defensive features turned Blackness into one of the most formidable fortresses in Scotland.
It served as a state prison, military garrison, and even an ammunition depot in the 19th century. The Castle was decommissioned after the First World War and placed in state care as a visitor attraction.
Its long, narrow shape and waterside setting, Blackness Castle earned the nickname "the ship that never sailed." From the sea, it resembles a great stone vessel with:
In 1537, James V began converting Blackness Castle into an artillery fortress and state prison. Driven by rising tensions with Henry VIII's Protestant England, and completed just before the Wars of the Rough Wooing.
Instead of elegant bastions, Blackness presented a brute wall of stone and cannon fire. The 'stern tower' facing inland was reinforced to withstand sieges, and positioned gunholes offered broad defensive coverage.
The Castle held firm during several conflicts until Cromwell's heavy artillery battered it in 1650, forcing the garrison to surrender, leaving visible scars still seen today.
Although initially built as a noble residence, Blackness spent much of its life as a prison for high-status captives. In 1543, Cardinal David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews, was held at Blackness Castle during the conflict between Catholic and Protestant factions.
In the late 1600s, during the 'Killing Time', the Castle held Covenanters. Scottish Presbyterians were persecuted under Charles II and James VII. Later, during the 18th-century wars with France and Spain, prisoners of war were also held within its walls.
Blackness Castle has gained new fame through television and film in recent years. It featured prominently in Outlander, where it stood in for Fort William, the site of Jamie Fraser's brutal flogging.
The Castle also featured in Mary Queen of Scots (2018) and Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet (1990).
Visitors today can explore the well-preserved structure and enjoy sweeping views across the Firth of Forth from the battlements. Highlights include:
Blackness Castle
Blackness
EH49 7NH
1st April to 30th September: Daily, 9.30 am to 5 pm (last entry 4.15 pm)
1st October to 31st March: Daily, 10 am to 4 pm (last entry 3.15 pm)
The foreshore beside the Castle is part of the River Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's an important habitat for overwintering birds and supports rare coastal plants like glasswort, which was once used in traditional glass and soap making.
You must book tickets online in advance. Choose your time slot for visiting, with parking permitted for 75 minutes.
Because of its long, narrow shape and coastal position, it resembles a stone ship stranded at sea, with towers nicknamed the stern, main mast, and prow.
Yes. Blackness Castle held nobles, political prisoners, Covenanters, and even prisoners of war from 18th-century conflicts with France, Spain, and America.
Absolutely. Visitors can explore the towers, prison rooms, and curtain walls while enjoying panoramic views.
