Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle Details
Blackness Castle, a C15 tower and courtyard of the Crichtons, later altered by the Crown. In use until 2nd World War.
- Closest To: Bo'Ness, Linlithgow, South Queensferry, Kirkliston, Broxburn
- Access: Chargeable Public Access
- Grid Reference: NT055803
Blackness Castle started out life as a tall tower house built by George Crichton in the 15th century, and surrounded by a courtyard wall and defensive ditch. Built upon a spit of land jutting into the Firth of Forth, it was easily accessible by sea, an appropriate castle for the Admiral of Scotland.
The Crichtons were viewed with suspicion by King James II as part of the power network of the Black Douglases, and by 1454 the king had declared himself the Crichton heir, dispossessing James Crichton. The castle subsequently became an important royal garrison, being strengthened by James Hamilton of Finnart against artillery, and providing it with artillery defences as well. Completed in the 16th century, the defences were unable to defend against the newer guns of Cromwell in 1651, but it was later repaired and kept in use by the military into the 19th century, with a brief re-use during both World Wars. Today it is open to the public under the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Official Historic Scotland page
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