Confirmed · Forth Valley · Attraction

Blackness Castle

Fort William and Black Jack Randall’s headquarters in Outlander. Ticketed Historic Scotland site; allow 1½–2½ hours.

On screen as: Fort William and Black Jack Randall’s headquarters
Series and episodes: Seasons 1–2 · S1 E6 · S1 E8 · S1 E9
Access: Ticketed Historic Scotland site
Time needed: 1½–2½ hours
Where: Blackness, West Lothian

On screen

How Blackness Castle appears

Blackness Castle stands in for Fort William, the military stronghold associated with Black Jack Randall in the first season. It features in episodes six, eight and nine, while the wider Outlander production has also returned to the castle for prequel filming. Its courtyard and coastal exterior provide the principal screen setting. The fictional Fort William identity should not be read as a geographical clue: this castle is on the Firth of Forth, not in the Highland town. Its dramatic waterfront form allows the production to create a fortress world through selective framing.

The real place

What you can visit

The real castle occupies a coastal position at Blackness and is a ticketed Historic Scotland heritage site. The combination of stone enclosure and open water explains much of its visual power, but it also means the visit is exposed to weather. Historic surfaces and stairs shape the route through the building, and the surrounding village is a working community. The mapped heritage feature identifies the castle itself, not the precise place a camera or actor stood. Leave room to appreciate the coastline as well as comparing the enclosed courtyard with the series.

Compare the approach across the waterfront with the tighter courtyard views; the shift in scale explains how the fortress becomes such a forceful screen setting.

Historic Environment Scotland ↗

Getting there.

Read the operator’s current opening and access information before setting out. Parking is limited, so check the current transport options before choosing your route and allow time for the final approach from the village. Ask Historic Scotland about a suitable route if uneven surfaces or stairs are difficult. Use authorised visitor areas, keep circulation clear and dress for a waterfront visit instead of assuming the shelter of an indoor attraction.

Official visitor information ↗Open in Google Maps ↗Read the visiting guide →

Common questions

Planning a responsible visit

Is this in the town of Fort William?

No. Blackness Castle is on the Firth of Forth and doubles for the series’ Fort William setting. The fictional military address and the real Scottish location are separate, so use Blackness rather than the Highland town for navigation.

Does the prequel use it too?

Yes, the production has returned for Blood of My Blood filming. Enjoy the castle as a location shared across the wider story, while remembering that a production visit does not turn every room on the visitor route into a recognisable prequel scene.

How accessible is the castle?

Expect uneven historic surfaces and stairs, with different levels presenting different challenges. Contact Historic Scotland with your requirements and consult its current access guide. A map pin and an admission ticket cannot establish which levels will suit you.

Plan your visit