Blackness Castle Scotland photo, Scottish history, Date, Linlithgow fort property location, Firth of Forth West Lothian info

Blackness Castle West Lothian

Scottish Fortified Building near Linlithgow, West Lothian, central Scotland, UK – 15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth.

post updated 16 December 2023

Please check with the castle owners for details such as access & charge

Address: Blackness Castle, Blackness, Linlithgow, EH49 7NH

Location: on the Forth, 4m north-east of Linlithgow, West Lothian.

It is sited at the end of the B903, A904 north after leaving M9 @ Junction 3.

15th-century fortress photo © Adrian Welch

Blackness Castle West Lothian Fortified Building

Blackness Castle – Description

Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress, near the village of Blackness, Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth.

The original part of the castle dates from the 1440s. Between 1537 and 1553, with the worsening of relationships between Scotland and England, this structure was turned into one of the most formidable castles in Scotland.

In 1870 the castle building was redeveloped as a central ammunition depot with a pier out into the Forth to land ammunition from ships. After the First World War the military left Blackness castle and it became the Office of Works for renovation.

It was built, probably on the site of an earlier fort, by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s. At this time, Blackness was the main port serving the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarch.

The castle, together with the Crichton lands, passed to James II of Scotland in 1453, and the castle has been crown property ever since. It served as a state prison, holding such prisoners as Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus.

Blackness Castle Opening Times

correct at time of writing – please check with property owner/operator:

1st Apr to 30th Sep:

Mon – Sun 9.30am to last entry 6pm (closes at 6.30pm)

1st Oct to 31st Mar:

Mon – Wed & Sat 9.30am to last entry 4pm (closes 4.30pm)
Thu 9.30am to 12.30pm
Fri closed
Sun 2pm to last entry 4pm (closes 4.30pm)

Contact Blackness Castle: +44 (0)1506 834807