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If you’ve wondered about Blackness Castle, known to Outlander fans as Fort William, you're in luck! There are many beautiful places on the Jacobite Trail with a rich history, and this one is no different.
Blackness Castle is often referred to as the ship that never sailed. It’s located near the village of Blackness, Scotland.
Blackness Castle is built on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. From the seaward side, the castle’s long narrow shape looks like a ship that has run aground.
The castle's towers add to the ship-like appearance! The north and south towers are even referred to as the stem and stern, and the central tower is known as the main mast.
Blackness Castle is located in South Queensferry, eighteen miles from Edinburgh. The castle is easy to access. With several other Outlander filming locations nearby, it’s well worth the trip!
Which Castle Was Used As Fort William In Outlander?
In the TV show Outlander, Blackness Castle features as Fort William, the garrison fortress under the command of Black Jack Randall.
While the interior scenes of the castle were shot in a Glasgow film studio, there are still several Outlander filming locations that you will recognise from the TV show.
If you’d like to know more about the locations used for filming in Outlander, these Outlander stats might be interesting!
Outlander Filming Locations At Blackness Castle
The Main Courtyard
History of Blackness Castle (Fort William) In Outlander
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The castle's central courtyard, with its imposing high walls, is an unmistakable Outlander filming location.
A distinctive feature of the courtyard is the protruding rocks on which the castle stands.
This is where Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, is flogged at the hands of Black Jack Randall. It is also where Jamie’s father dies from the shock of witnessing the flogging.
The Stairway Where Jamie and Murtagh Capture a Redcoat
In the first season, you’ll remember the scene where Jamie and Murtagh break into Fort William to save Claire. The location is just through the entrance gate and tunnel archway. The staircase to the right is where they capture a redcoat and force him to disclose Claire’s location.
The Door and Fortification Walls Where Claire and Jamie Escape
When Claire and Jamie Fraser escape Black Jack Randall, they run out through a door onto the fortification walls. In the Outlander series, they jump into the sea. However, you’ll recognise this part of the wall on the landward side of the castle.
Blackness Castle appears as The Black Garrison near Inverness in the second season of Outlander. Brianna and Roger explore Fort William in the 1960s. The entry gate to the castle that they walk through is the same in real life!
Can You Go Inside Blackness Castle?
Blackness Castle is protected, so there are strict limitations on how the castle's interior is used. While the Outlander film crew could not use the castle interior as a film set, it is open to visitors.
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You can walk out to the rocky inner courtyard at the entrance complex You can also climb the stairs to Spur's Battery. Here, you can admire the views towards the Barracks or across the Firth of Forth.
Once inside the castle, you can explore almost every inch of it. If you’re interested in Blackness Castle, you might want to have a look at another castle from Outlander.
Blackness Castle Outlander: The History
Blackness Castle is a fifteenth-century fortress initially intended as a nobleman's residence. When King James II annexed the lands surrounding the castle, the castle became a garrison and a state prison on behalf of the reigning sovereign.
At the time the castle was built, Blackness Cove was the port used to serve the needs of the nearby Palace of Linlithgow.
The castle’s unusual shape was dictated by the rocky Firth of Forth south shore on which it was built.
Who Was Blackness Castle Built For?
The original Blackness Castle fort was constructed by Sir George Crichton, Earl of Caithness, Admiral of Scotland and the Sheriff of Linlithgow.
The Crichtons were Scottish nobility, and one of the most powerful Scottish families of the time.
By 1453, King James had persuaded Sir George Crichton to pass his estates to the crown. In May 1454, Sir George’s son was unhappy with the prospect of his father handing his inheritance over to the crown. He imprisoned his father at Blackness Castle.
The King laid siege to Blackness which was ended by negotiation. By the end of 1454, Sir George had died. Blackness became a royal castle and continued to serve as a fortress and state prison.
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James II appointed a royal keeper whose main duty was to care for the inmates, who were primarily offenders from high society. These noble prisoners were kept in relatively spacious rooms in the central tower. They were free to wander outside the castle walls during the day but were locked in their rooms at night.
When Was Blackness Castle Built?
Evidence suggests that Blackness fort was constructed around 1440. The first mention of Blackness Castle dates back to 1449 when Blackness served as the Crichton family residence and prison.
The original building was comprised of a curtain wall, a central tower isolated in the central courtyard, and the north tower. A gate allowed access to the castle in the east wall.
Fortification and Destruction of Castle Blackness
Between 1534 and 1540, the castle was fortified under the direction of Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, an expert in artillery fortification.
Blackness became one of the most advanced artillery fortifications of its time in Scotland.
A caponier was included in the west spur of the south tower. A caponier is a passage in the external wall that allows defenders to fire at enemies who succeed in getting through the outer gate.
The south-facing wall was heightened to include the new south tower, and the curtain walls were thickened to over five metres in places. They were also pierced in several areas to allow artillery fire to the south and east.
Finnart was executed for treason in 1540 when King James became convinced that Hamilton was plotting against him. Work at Blackness continued on the castle until the death of James V in 1542.
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In 1650 the castle’s defences were tested when Blackness was besieged. This occurred when Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland.
Finnart’s defences were not enough to withstand the barrage. The garrison surrendered, and the damaged castle was abandoned.
Later Years
In 1667, the castle was repaired and used as a prison to hold the Covenanters. These were religious individuals who opposed the kings' interference with the church. In 1693, the spur was heightened with a Wall Walk. The north tower was reduced to provide for three gun platforms overlooking the Forth.
The castle was not used as a prison again until 1759 when it was used to hold French prisoners of war.
In 1870, Blackness became the central ammunition depot for Scotland. Much work was carried out, including roofing over the inner courtyards and levelling of the ground to the east.
The depot was briefly occupied in Word War I and then passed to the care of the Office of Works. Blackness Castle was restored between 1926 and 1935. During this time, most of the changes made after 1870 were undone and the medieval-style features were restored.
Today the castle is a historical monument under the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Haunted Castle
Blackness Castle is witness to some of Scotland’s bloodiest history. It’s no surprise that it’s considered one of Scotland's most haunted castles.
According to legend, a phantom night guards the prison tower. It is said that this guard occasionally leaps out at visitors.
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Over the years, various accounts of the knight dressed in full armour in the Central Tower have emerged. Most recently, Outlander visitors have reported paranormal activity. This includes the sound of objects moving about on floors above or below with no logical explanation.
Final Thoughts
Blackness Castle in Scotland is open year-round. However, opening times depend on the season, and the castle may be closed for viewing during bad weather.
If you plan to visit, be sure to check for unexpected closures.
If you are visiting Scotland to explore Outlander filming locations, it may be worth getting an explorer pass for your visit.
If you’re planning an Outlander adventure, it may be worth booking one of the Outlander tours in Scotland. These will include many of the Outlander locations relevant to the Jacobites.
