Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle history tour
If you’ve ever looked at a castle and thought, “Yep, that looks like a stone ship that could fire cannons at pirates,” you’re not alone. Blackness Castle actually does look like a ship—and people even call it “The Ship That Never Sailed.”
Blackness Castle from the pier
Blackness Castle is situated on the south bank of the Firth of Forth, 13 miles northwest of Edinburgh.
This formidable fortress was built in the 1440s by Admiral George Crichton - a powerful man - he was the Lord High Admiral of Scotland at the time. He built it as a noble residence... but one with serious defences.
After George’s equally powerful cousin William Crichton died, George was left without support and James II ordered him to hand over his assets, including Blackness.
Blackness Castle as seen from the south
A keeper was installed to look after the castle, in this case the sheriff of Linlithgow.
Under the crown, Blackness got a serious upgrade. The defences on this side of the castle were added by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, Master of Works, in the 1530s. They protect the entrance, which he moved here from the other side of the castle.
The pier at Blackness Castle
The upgrades also included thickened walls, gun loops, and artillery. It was now a serious castle.
A Great Hall was added around 1540. This was at the heart of castle life, used for royal banquets when the king visited.
Was it worth it? Well James IV is the only monarch known to have visited Blackness more than once. He heard Mass here in 1491 and in 1506, a banquet took place where four oboe players entertained him.
The 'Mast' Tower at Blackness Castle
Blackness also doubled as a prison. Many of the imprisoned residents of Blackness were important members of society who had fallen out of favour with the king - from political enemies to religious dissenters. They were imprisoned in the relative comfort of the Mast tower.
Blackness kept its military role up into the 1700s, and even saw a bit of action during the Jacobite uprisings.
Eventually, in the late 1800s, it was used as an ammunition store again.
Antique crane at the end of the pier at Blackness Castle
The castle is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
If you’re ever in Scotland, I highly recommend checking it out. You get amazing views, rich history, and a castle that looks like it could transform into a battleship at any moment!