Although most of its buildings are empty today, the castle is open to the public as a historic monument. An exhibition provides insight into the history of the castle, including information about the powerful Crichton family, for whom it was built. Visitors can also climb the towers or the curtain wall of the castle for sweeping views over the Firth of Forth—the best views are from the central tower.
The castle has featured in the “Outlander” television series and is a stop on many Outlander themed tours—taking a guided tour of Outlander sites lets you see more in less time that is possible by public transport, and you’ll also get behind-the-scenes insights into filming. Blackness Castle also appeared in the 2018 movies “Mary Queen of Scots” and “Outlaw King”.
*Blackness Castle is a must-visit for anyone interested in Scottish history, and Outlander fans. *Occasionally the castle has to close due to bad weather—check in advance if the weather is poor. *Uneven ground and cobbles make getting around difficult for visitors using wheelchairs.
Blackness Castle is a 50-minute drive northwest of Edinburgh and 15 minutes north of Linlithgow. If using public transit, take the Glasgow-bound train from Edinburgh to Linlithgow, then the number 45 bus to The Square in Bo’ness, followed by the F49 bus to the castle—the total journey takes one hour and 25 minutes.
From April through September, the castle is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m). From October through March, it opens every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry 3.30 p.m.)
Visiting Blackness Castle puts you within easy reach of the ancient town of Linlithgow, 15 minutes away. It is worth making the time to explore the town’s attractions, including Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, which is attractively positioned on the edge of Linlithgow Loch.
