Blackness Castle

06.02.2025

First stop on our Outlander tour! Blackness Castle is a must-visit for history lovers and Outlander fans alike. Known as the “Ship That Never Sailed” due to its distinctive shape, this imposing fortress sits on the shores of the Firth of Forth, offering stunning coastal views and a fascinating past. The castle has served many roles over the centuries, from a royal residence to a prison and military stronghold. Its well-preserved walls, winding staircases, and atmospheric courtyards make it easy to imagine what life was like in medieval Scotland. Fans of Outlander will recognize Blackness Castle as the filming location for Fort William, adding an extra layer of excitement. The site’s dramatic setting and eerie beauty make it perfect for exploring, and the views from the towers are spectacular. With informative displays and helpful staff, a visit to Blackness Castle is both educational and visually stunning. Whether you’re interested in history, film locations, or just a unique Scottish landmark, this castle is well worth a trip.

06.02.2025

TL;DR: Blackness Castle is a must-visit for history and film fans, offering stunning river views, dramatic architecture, and an immersive step back in time. Blackness Castle is an incredible place to explore, packed with history and cinematic significance. Perched on the banks of the River Forth, the views alone are worth the visit, but the real magic is in wandering through its well-preserved rooms and scaling the ramparts. Nicknamed the "Ship That Never Sailed" due to its unique shape, the castle has served as a fortress, a prison, and more recently, a filming location for Outlander and other productions. Walking through its halls truly feels like stepping back in time. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a movie buff, this castle is an unforgettable stop. Highly recommend taking the time to explore!

03.02.2025

Stunning place. The staffs were really friendly and overall it's a beautiful place...

01.02.2025

A really interesting castle with a waterfront view and pier. Small gift shop and cafe on the premises that is a welcome on cold wet days.

01.02.2025

Surprising little gem. Very well kept compared to other castles / ruins. A wee exhibition was a nice bonus. Booking in advance is essential due to limited parking. One star down because one has to leave at closing time, we had only one hour to explore, and we could not stay in the grounds for a picnic and parking in the village was full, even in winter.

29.01.2025

Historically significant, very interesting. More of a prison than a castle. Careful walking around, but there is full access to this fortress.

20.01.2025

Suggestivo

18.01.2025

A beautiful and interesting place

18.01.2025

Way more interesting than I expected

18.01.2025

If you’re an Outlander fan… just go. So cool! If you’re a history buff… just go. Totally worth it! Incredible views. Rich history. We are so glad we stopped by!

17.01.2025

Quiet and peaceful place for a evening walk

16.01.2025

Well worth visiting. Amazing long and varied history. Fascinating and great location with terrific views to the Firth Bridges.

16.01.2025

Pretty castle with great views over Firth of Forth.

14.01.2025

Brilliant been meaning to visit for years and wasn't disappointed.

10.01.2025

Espectacular castillo a las orillas del rio. Zona tranquila y con acceso fácil. Amplia explanada. Zona para abastecimiento de barcos en la WWW I y ha servido para otros menesteres de la Royal Navy. Escenario en ‘The Outlander’.

05.01.2025

Stunning views, worth the visit

05.01.2025

Très beau château avec vu sur la mer ! Un château à l’histoire ancienne qu’il faut aller visiter

30.12.2024

Great wee castle with incredible scenery and interesting history. The staff is lovely. They do lots of historical events too, and they are open all year long!

27.12.2024

Recommend

26.12.2024

Blackness Castle is definitely worth a visit. It offers stunning views of the bay and is rich in history. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and found it to be a great experience.

26.12.2024

Un lugar con encanto

07.12.2024

Luogo posto in riva allestuario. Molto bello

05.12.2024

Unbelievable!

02.12.2024

Amazing and outstanding little Castle on the banks of The Firth of Forth and is one of the most outstanding Castles in this particular area of Scotland. The construction and configuration of the Castle is very similar to that of a ship and as you walk around you can see how it is has been wonderfully built into the rocks and it blends in beautifully with the rocky shores. The Castle is also wonderfully complete and in brilliant immaculate condition and you can wander inside a couple of the towers and see the dark rooms inside which are brilliantly presented and there are informative boards in each of the rooms you go inside telling you about each room and their uses giving you a full idea of what life was like inside. You can wander around the Battlements and enjoy spectacular breathtaking picturesque scenery of the River Forth and the mountains towards Stirling, which are simply amazing and from wandering around the Battlements and looking across the River Forth you can get a clear idea of how commanding and imposing this Castle and how important it was in spotting enemy ships wandering into the area from a distance away. From the Battlements you can also get a clear of the sheer size of the Castle and see the Brilliant towers, which are an awesome sight. The Battlements also have some informative information boards about the Castle's strategic position on the Forth and how it was able to spot any enemy ships from miles away before they could ever cause any issues. A great aspect of this Castle is that you can wander onto an area that used to be the main port of the Castle and you can enjoy further excellent breathtaking panoramic views up and down the River Forth and the surrounding area. There is also another great exhibition on People and the Land of Scotland covering certain aspects of the Culture of Scotland and folklore, which is very enlightening and interesting to read and look at. There is a gift shop selling an excellent range of souvenirs at reasonable prices. Overall this is a thoroughly marvellous and interesting place to visit which makes for a very enjoyable and enlightening day out. Definitely well worth a visit whilst in the West Lothian area of Scotland.