Blackness Castle, by Bo'ness

This coastal route to formidable Blackness Castle offers impressive views across the Forth; the return is made the same way. Note: As a coastal walk some sections of this route have suffered from erosion and may be tricky to negotiate. Use your own judgement to assess the ongoing situation.

Terrain

Aggregate tracks, earth paths and shingle beach. Some steps. One section is currently suffering from erosion but may still be passable with care.

Public Transport

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Start

Industrial estate behind Carriden Parish Church, Bo'ness. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km/5.25 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 19m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NT020812

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 349 - Falkirk
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

A rough road runs east from the corner of Carriden Brae and Bridgeness Road, and there is informal parking by the industrial units. Begin the walk by heading through the metal gate at the end of the track onto a well-made aggregate path that soon offers views over the Forth, with both bridges in view ahead and the coastal towns and villages of Fife just across the water, including the deepwater piers of the former munitions depot at Crombie. Continue along the main path taking advantage of the occasional shoreside viewpoint.

Stage 2

Before long the path swings inland, through a gap in the wall and onto a slightly narrower footpath beneath a wooded embankment, helpfully signposted as 'Path'. Heading east the path makes for hassle-free, pleasant walking, before reaching a fence and a flight of steps down onto a shingle and rock beach. Turn right and follow the shoreline as far as possible before being required to ascend onto a narrow path running along the top of the sea wall; this is the section that is suffering from erosion so care is needed. Follow this path corralled between the field boundary and rough hedgerows above the rocky shoreline, before the views open out over Blackness Bay and Castle on the headland beyond.

Stage 3

The path continues into the village of Blackness itself, formed as a port to serve the royalty in residence at nearby Linlithgow until superseded by Bo'ness in the 17th century. The harbour now houses Blackness Boat Club, and their vessels can be seen on the moorings in the bay.

Stage 4

Follow the road around the bay to reach Blackness Castle, standing impressively on the promontory overlooking the bay. The castle was built in the 1440s by Sir George Crichton to protect the port, and then became crown property in 1453 serving as a state prison before becoming the most formidable artillery fortification in Scotland in the mid 16th century. The castle served as an ammunition depot in the late 1800s before being handed into the care of Historic Scotland after the First World War. Although now open to visitors, the castle has also been used in various films including Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet in 1990, and Doomsday in 2008. After exploring the castle retrace your steps along the coast to Bo'ness, where it is possible to detour around the industrial units via a footpath overlooking the Carriden Boatyard slipway and moorings before returning to the start point.

Route: Phil Turner

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.