Likened to a ship from its shape and location, Blackness Castle has been a place of defense 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 folks 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 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-story block with a 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, and the great hall has window seats, a minstrel’s gallery, and an adjoining kitchen.
The courtyard wall has a parapet walk that can be airy above the crashing waves of the Firth of Forth.
Blackness Castle Location
Blackness Castle Address: Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH, United Kingdom. Get help with directions using the map provided below: