Blackness Castle
On the River Forth, near Linlithgow
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All images are © 400photos.uk
On the south bank of the River Forth a few miles upstream from the three bridges over the river
(Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry Crossing) and opposite the Royal Naval Dockyard
at Rosyth. All can be seen in the first photo.
Built in the 15th century for the powerful Crichton family over the years this castle has had various uses including an artillery post and as a rather high-class prison under James V in 1537. The central tower was the prison within the castle walls and was reputed to be hard escape from.
Much of the castle's outer walls were destroyed by artillery fire during a siege under the rule of Oliver Cromwell in 1650.
At the landward side of the castle are the officer's quarters and less attractive are the barracks for the troops defending or guarding the castle.
Restoration work in the early 20th century was not carried out as carefully or as accurately as it would be today and the current profile of the castle is probably not a true representation of the original.
One rather fanciful name for Blackness Castle in its present form is The Ship That Never Sailed due to the odd shape of the castle as it points out into the river. Also, it has to be said, a rather good defensive design.
Now in the hands of Historic Scotland, there's plenty of parking within the castle grounds with a shop and fairly easy disabled access.
Built in the 15th century for the powerful Crichton family over the years this castle has had various uses including an artillery post and as a rather high-class prison under James V in 1537. The central tower was the prison within the castle walls and was reputed to be hard escape from.
Much of the castle's outer walls were destroyed by artillery fire during a siege under the rule of Oliver Cromwell in 1650.
At the landward side of the castle are the officer's quarters and less attractive are the barracks for the troops defending or guarding the castle.
Restoration work in the early 20th century was not carried out as carefully or as accurately as it would be today and the current profile of the castle is probably not a true representation of the original.
One rather fanciful name for Blackness Castle in its present form is The Ship That Never Sailed due to the odd shape of the castle as it points out into the river. Also, it has to be said, a rather good defensive design.
Now in the hands of Historic Scotland, there's plenty of parking within the castle grounds with a shop and fairly easy disabled access.
