Blackness Castle is commonly referred to as ‘the ship that never sailed’ due to its aesthetic similarity to a large ship and its proximity to the water. It was originally constructed in the 15th century for the noble Crichton family but came into its own when, in the 16th century, the building itself was massively reinforced in order to transform it into a makeshift artillery fortress.
Since then, the historic Blackness Castle has had many lives – in the past, it’s been a grand royal castle, a state prison, and an armaments depot built for battle. In more recent times, it’s often used as a filming location! Hamlet and the BBC production of Ivanhoe were both filmed here. But perhaps most famously, so was the very successful TV series Outlander, with the castle standing in for Fort William.
Where can I find Blackness Castle?
Make the most of the castle’s unbelievable location on the iconic shore of the Firth of Forth – head all the way to the top for panoramic views of Fife while you drink in all the history of this truly monumental castle.
- Adult Ticket (16-64 years old): £6
- Concession Ticket (65 years old+ and unemployed): £4.80
- Child Ticket (5-15 years old): £3.60
- Family Ticket (1 adult, 2 children): £12
- Family Ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £17
- Family Ticket (2 adults, 3 children): £20.50
- Opening times are subject to change due to poor weather
- Open Monday to Thursday: 10 am-4 pm
