
What is recorded here
Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress built by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s, shaped like a ship jutting into the Firth of Forth. It became crown property in 1453 and served as a state prison, holding Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus. Strengthened with advanced artillery defences, it fell to Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650, then remained a prison and garrison before becoming an ammunition depot until 1912.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Blackness Castle as Figurine (period Unassigned). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 1km. The record does not by itself mean that the public may enter the place.
Blackness Castle, located in East Lothian, Scotland, was built by the Douglas family in the early 15th century, with significant expansion by the Stewart kings, particularly James I. It is important as a key stronghold on the Firth of Forth and is often referred to as "the ship that never sailed" due to its ship-like appearance.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
CarridenBarbed and Tanged Arrowhead (period Unassigned) · 1 yd
Blackness HouseCountry House (period Unassigned) · 91 yd
BlacknessEnclosure (period Unassigned) · 118 yd
Blackness War MemorialMemorial · 213 yd
Blackness, Blackness Mission ChurchChurch (20th Century) · 216 yd
Blackness BayBay · 341 yd
MannerstonTower House (medieval) · 1277 yd
Shore WoodWood · 1.4 mi
Midhope CastleTower House (medieval) · 1.6 mi
North Philpstoun BingMountain / peak · 2.0 mi
Foxhound: Charlestown Harbour, Upper Firth of ForthCraft (19th Century) · 2.3 mi
Charlestown LimekilnsVisitor information · 2.4 miOther information
Photo: Steve Kent · CC BY-SA 2.0