What is recorded here
Blackness Castle is a 15th-century artillery fortress jutting into the Firth of Forth, shaped like a ship that never sailed. Built by Sir George Crichton in the 1440s and later strengthened for heavy guns, it served as a royal prison and ammunition depot until 1912. Its narrow stone body still points across the water, preserving the tension of a border fortress designed to stop invasion rather than invite arrival.
Scotland's National Record of the Historic Environment records Blackness Castle as Cultivation Remains (period Unassigned), Formal Garden (period Unassigned). The official map says its point is accurate as follows: NGR given to the nearest 100m. 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 15th century and later held by the Crown. It is important as a key example of a "black tower" castle and was used as a royal residence and naval base.
The historic-place record does not grant public access. Check current conditions and ownership before entering land or a building.
Places near here
Blackness Castle BaySite (period Unassigned) · 218 yd
Blackness War MemorialMemorial · 231 yd
Blackness, Blackness Mission ChurchChurch (20th Century) · 239 yd
Blackness, Blackness Boat ClubClubhouse (20th Century) · 241 yd
Blackness CastleCastle (medieval), Prison (15th Century) · 318 yd
Blackness BayBay · 345 yd
BlacknessBattle Site (15th Century) · 435 yd
MannerstonTower House (medieval) · 1483 yd
Shore WoodWood · 1.6 mi
North Philpstoun BingMountain / peak · 2.0 mi
Cairn ClumpWood · 2.7 mi
Linlithgow, Kingscavil CemeteryCemetery (early 21st Century) · 2.8 mi