Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH
Telephone 01506 834807
Website www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM |
Built as an artillery fortress on the Firth of Forth and shaped, deliberately, like a ship run aground - locals call it "the ship that never sailed." Historic Environment Scotland keeps it staffed and largely unfurnished, so what you get is the stonework itself: towers, wall walks, spiral stairs and a Victorian pier jutting out into the water. Outlander fans will recognise the courtyard as Jamie Fraser's flogging scene, and reviewers rate it among the best value entries in the country.
Worth the trip
The 1800s pier extending out into the Forth - an unexpected addition to a medieval fortress, and a good stretch of the legs after the towers.
Before you go
Ground floors are rough underfoot and there are several low doorways and spiral staircases, so wear proper shoes; at around £7.50 online it's also one of the cheaper Historic Scotland tickets.
Reviewers consistently praise Blackness Castle's distinctive, almost ship-shaped design and its dramatic waterside setting, with several noting its fame as an Outlander filming location and enjoying the walk along the wall walks for views over the Forth. It's also called good value and well-staffed. A couple of practical notes recur: there's no on-site café (though the nearby Lobster Pot pub is recommended instead), and parking at the castle itself is limited and time-restricted to those with booked tickets.
Ship-shaped artillery fortress on the Forth; Outlander location
“Great castle to visit then have lunch at the Lobster Pot down the street. The castle has great info boards so you can read the history and walk all round it. Great visit, took us about 45 minutes to meander through.”— julie c, visitor review
