Likened to a ship from its shape and location,
Blackness Castle has been a place of defence from when it was built in the
1440s until after World War I.
Blackness Castle History
Originally built by the Crichtons, it was gifted to the Crown in 1453 and
used as a State Prison until 1707; as a Garrison until 1870 and then as an ammunition depot
until 1912, when it was placed into care.
The Blackness Castle strengthened in the
16th century as an artillery fortress and was besieged by Cromwell in 1650.
One of the many folk imprisoned here, the list includes Cardinal
Beaton, Lord Ochiltree, John Welsh and Adam Blackadder, who complained that the dungeon was
‘full of paddocks (frogs) and toads’.
The outer courtyard at Blackness contains a barracks
and officers’ quarters. The castle proper has a Stern, or south Tower, Central Tower and North
Tower that contains a prison and pit.
The Central Tower is a four-storey block with turnpike at the corner,
the lowest floor having a great boss of rock in it. Extensive views are obtained from the
parapet.
The South Tower has many vaulted rooms and replica windows, the great
hall having window seats, minstrel’s gallery and adjoining kitchen.
The courtyard wall has a parapet walk which can be airy above the
crashing waves of the Firth of Forth.
Blackness Castle Map&Location
Blackness Castle Address: Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH, United Kingdom.
Get help with directions using the map provided bellow:
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