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Blackness Castle
The castle is surrounded on three sides by water and has the appearance of a boat. It has been referred to as the ship that never sailed. A ditch was also cut out on the south side to offer further defence on the land. (In 1870 this was filled in when the ground was levelled for ammunition storage.) At this time the walls surrounding the castle (called curtains) were not particularly high, but were topped with a parapet with crenellations (to allow the garrison to fire on approaching enemy and re-load in safety).
From 1453 the castle was used as a Royal residence (by King James II). At the same time further building took place as part of a major strengthening of the castle's defences - the layout of the castle remained the same, but with thickened walls (from 1.5m to 5.5m). The South Tower was added at this time. The principal residence was located here. Further development continued to the 1560s. The original entrance in the East Curtain Wall was blocked off and a new entrance in the Spur (to the left of the South Tower) was built to replace it (originally with a drawbridge to cross the ditch). In 1650 the castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell and left in ruin - the castle had been bombarded from the land and the sea, with most of the damage being done by a battery placed on high ground to the south. It was restored in the late 1660s (during the Napoleonic wars when it was again used as a prison). In 1693 the Spur was heightened to provide a gun battery (the parapet, crenellated parapet and round turret date from this time). The North Tower was reduced in height at this time and converted into a gun battery. The lower two storeys were used as prisons - the upper chamber has a fireplace and a latrine and is well ventilated. There is also a hatch leading to the lower chamber, the pit. After the Act of Union in 1707 the castle was no longer used as a prison, but was occupied by a small garrison (with the Central Tower being used as barracks). It was used during the wars with France (1759-1815) as a transit camp or an overspill prison for Edinburgh Castle.
The castle was handed over to the state in 1912 (although it was briefly used again during World War I). Major restoration work took place between 1926 and 1935 and any buildings inside the castle dating from the 19th century were demolished. The castle is now owned by Historic Scotland. |
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Blackness Castle
was built in the 15th century, by the Chrichton family, on the Firth of Forth near Blackness village, about 4
miles from 
The
Central Tower was built around this time and was used from an early date
as a prison. Notable prisoners were Cardinal Beaton of
St. Andrews in 1543 and Archibald Douglas, sixth Earl of Angus, the
following year. Covenanters were also imprisoned here. Originally the tower was three storeys with an attic over a vaulted
basement. It was heightened and strengthened in 1530 and again in 1667
when the stair tower was built. After 1707 the tower was used as barracks to
complement the accommodation in the South Tower.
The
courtyard originally contained buildings, but these were removed (apart from the
foundations of the guard house) in 1870-74 when the castle was altered for use as an ammunitions depot.
A secondary entrance with drawbridge
was added into the courtyard on the seaward side with a pier for this purpose.
The Officer's Quarters
and Barracks were built around this time.
