Blackness Castle Walk
This circular walk explores the dramatic Blackness Castle on the Firth of Forth in Linlithgow.
The 15th century castle has a fascinating history with a small exhibition in the former barracks outside. You can also climb the towers for splendid views across the Firth of Forth. There's some nice footpaths to follow around the castle lawns and then onto the beaches of Blackness Bay.
You can reach the castle from the historic town of Bo'ness on the Bo'ness To Blackness Walk. It's about a 4 mile walk along a shared cycling and walking path.
Postcode
EH49 7NH - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsPlease click here for more information
Blackness Castle Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Blackness Castle Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Blackness Castle OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Blackness Castle Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head into Blackness village and you could visit The Lobster Pot. They serve a fine fish and chips and also have a nice garden area to sit out in on warmer days. You can find them on the Square in the village at postcode EH49 7NL for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The area around the castle is a nice place to walk your dog though you are requested to keep them on leads. They are not permitted in roofed areas.
The Lobster Pot mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head south west from the castle and you can enjoy a waterside walk around Linlithgow Loch or pick up the Linlithgow Canal Walk along the Union Canal.
The Blackness to South Queensferry Walk will take you from the village to nearby South Queensferry along a section of the epic John Muir Way footpath. You can also pick up the Cramond to South Queensferry Walk and continue east to Cramond via Drum Sands and the historic Dalmeny House. Just to the south of Cramond you can visit the Cammo Estate. The park includes some splendid trails with lakes and the photogenic Cammo Tower to see.
The site has been used as a filming location in several productions, including Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet (1990), Bob Carruthers's 1996 film The Bruce and the science-fiction film Doomsday (2008). On television, Blackness has featured in the BBC/A&E television mini-series of Ivanhoe (1997), and the Starz series Outlander.
Doune Castle in Stirling was also used as a location in Outlander and is well worth a visit.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Edinburgh Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Blackness Castle. In the late Middle Ages, one of the four most important castles in Scoland, along with Edinburgh, Stirling and Dumbarton.
Chapel ruins. The chapel stood on high ground some 150 metres to the south of the castle. It was thus excellent firm standing for the artillery of Oliver Cromwell who besieged the castle in 1650. The chapel building was left a ruin by their improvements.
Blackness church. Built in the late 1800s the church is linked with Carriden Parish Church 3.5km upriver. It is still open for worship, services being held at 10am on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. The six sided steeple is one of several architectural features.
Blackness bay looking North. Home of the Blackness Yacht Club, the bay provides mooring for numerous yachts. Across the River to the North is the jetty of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Dockyard "Crombie"
Blackness Bay looking West. Taken from the mound to the south of Blackness Castle the view is of vessels from Blackness Yacht Club moored in the bay. On the shore behind is the path to Bo'ness. To the left of centre in the background are the prominent chimney and buildings of Longannet Power Station and in the Far distance Ben Cruachan.
South tower of the Castle. The South tower was the accommodation block for the castle. The castle was open for free on this day in November 2009 as part of the Homecoming Scotland weekend.
Pier. Overlooking the River Forth, the pier was built around 1870, when the castle was used as the army's central ammunition depot for Scotland.
Barracks building.