Where is it?
BLACKNESS Castle is the only ship-shaped fortification in Scotland and seawater and sea shells are to be found within its walls. It lies off the B903, four miles north-east of royal Linlithgow which it once served as a port.
What is it?
A fifteenth-century stronghold, once one of the most important fortresses in Scotland, and which under the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England of 1707 was one of four castles which were to be left fortified. Its huge walls were strengthened to withstand artillery and it housed plenty of guns, both cannon and hand-held.
Where should I start?
Blackness was originally built to be served from the sea. Take time to walk around the outside walls. Great views across the Firth of Forth to the bridges and to the Fife coast. Plenty of sea birds. In the nineteenth century the castle became an ammunition depot and stayed that way into modern times. Historic Scotland now look after it and have development plans for it.
Where should I go?
Take time inside because there is a maze of rooms and steps and doorways and spectacular battlement walking. Care needed with children. Walk to the end of the castle pier: some recent pleasure craft have landed visitors there and this pattern may develop. One hopes so because that would be living history.
What can I learn?
A lot about castles and guns. The gunholes punched through some of the walls were carried out in the time of Mary Queen of Scots and the whole place is a chapter by chapter memorial of changing times. Castles should look like castles and Blackness is certainly one.
What's fun?
The views from the battlements. Hang on to your hats on some days.
Admission:
Adults #1.50, reduced #1, children 75p. Open, summer, Mon-Sat 9.30am to 6.30pm, Sunday: 2-6.30pm. Winter, October 1 to March 30, Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun: 2pm-4.30pm. Closed: Thursday pm, all day Friday.
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