Blackness castle stands on the shoreline of the Firth of Forth. It is an imposing building, with the equally impressive view of the Forth road and rail bridges in the background. Until I started looking at the Forth coastline carefully on the map, I had never really heard of the castle, yet it is certainly worth a visit. There are also nice walks along the shore West to Bo’Ness and East towards Hopetoun House.
Blackness Castle was built in the 15th century and has been a fortress or prison ever since then. It was besieged and damaged (like most strongholds) by Cromwell’s army in 1650. After the Restoration it was used to imprison Covenanters. Following the Treaty of Union in 1707, it ceased to be a prison and became a minor garrison. It became a prison once again during the wars with France, but from 1870 to the 1920s it served as an ammunition depot.
Blackness Castle is now looked after by Historic Scotland. It is open every day between April and September but closed on Thursdays and Fridays during the winter. However, it is possible to wander around the outer courtyard of the castle on these days.
Edited to add: courtesy of manylegs, I have found out that Blackness Castle was used for filming internal and external scenes in Franco Zeffirelli's Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson. Apparently, he has signed the visitor book, which you can look at if you ask the man behind the desk. Maybe I should have made the cache part of a series of 'film locations' caches, or a series of 'West Lothian Castles'? :)
Parking can be found by Blackness Boat Club and in the village square at N56 00.238 W003 31.283. You may wish to consult this page!
You may have to think laterally to find the way to the cache. Please do not give too much away in your logs or photos.