Explore Blackness Castle: A Historic Day Trip Near Edinburgh

Blackness Castle is only 17 miles west of Edinburgh, Scotland and makes a great day trip, especially combined with a visit to Dunfermline, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce (highly recommended, more information will be forthcoming on Dunfermline in future posts). The 15th century castle has gained fame in recent years as a filming location for the TV show “Outlander”. However, the castle has served as a filming location for movies as well. The castle sits on a prominent point on the Firth of Forth and was a strategic location for protecting the nearby village which was a major port in past centuries. It also served as a prison starting in the 1500’s and as a munitions depot.

The castle is unique for its ship bow-shaped defensive walls facing the Firth of Forth.

A little hard to tell, but the castle walls on the left form a sharp bow-shaped point, very appropriate giving the setting on the water!
Another view of the castle from the “bow”.
Robyn admiring the tower keep “Prison Tower” of Blackness Castle.
An informational sign indicating the use of the central tower (keep) as a prison for many years, especially for “high status” prisoners.
Interior views of Blackness Castle.

These images show the rocky foundation on which Blackness Castle is built. In the image on the left, note the stairway carved out of the rock.

We visited Blackness Castle in early September. We got there as it opened and pretty much had the whole castle to ourselves. Compared with busy Edinburgh, Blackness Castle’s quiet surroundings were a nice change of pace.

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