Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times. Though built in the 15th century as a lordly residence for the Crichtons, one of Scotland’s more powerful families, it soon took on other roles.

Blackness is often called ‘the ship that never sailed’. From the seaward side it looks just like a great stone ship run aground. Its pointed stem projects into the water, while the square stern stands beached on dry land.