Blackness Castle – Blackness Castle loop from Abercorn

Hiking trails & Routes

Blackness Castle – Blackness Castle loop from Abercorn

Moderate

4.6

(13)

155

hikers

Blackness Castle – Blackness Castle loop from Abercorn

02:54

11.0km

90m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: August 8, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Guest House

Get Directions

1.30 km

Abercorn Church and Graveyard

Highlight • Historical Site

Abercorn Church is situated in a peaceful spot surrounded by trees. While the majority of the church dates from the 17th century, parts are much older, including a now-blocked doorway that dates to the 12th century.

Tip by

1.75 km

Abercorn Beach

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great view of the three bridges and out across the Firth of Forth. A good gravel track runs along the coast from Bo'ness to Queensferry.

Tip by

3.42 km

View of Blackness Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

4.98 km

Blackness Castle

Highlight • Castle

Blackness Castle is perched right on the shore of the Firth of Forth.

Just like many other historical buildings in this part of Scotland, it has featured in the popular TV series Outlander.

Visit the castle to find out more about the history of the powerful Crichton family, this stronghold built for war and kept as a noble residence for the family.

Check out more at historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle

Tip by

5.17 km

Pier at Blackness Castle

Highlight • Bridge

Here the ships landed, suppling goods for the castle. From here you have a stunning view over the Forth and the bridges.

Tip by

5.17 km

Blackness Castle

Highlight • Monument

Blackness Castle is a fortress that was built in the 15th century. Despite initially being a decadent residence for the Crichtons, one of Scotland’s more powerful families, the castle went on to become a royal palace in 1453, a garrison fortress, a state prison, and an ammunition depot in the 19th century. Blackness Castle is often called ‘the ship that never sailed’ as it looks like a grounded stone ship from the seaward side.

Tip by

5.66 km

Stone Statue of a Scottish Man

Highlight • Monument

No, it's not a garden gnome but a Scotsman standing on the wall. Sometimes it's the little things in life 👌🏻!

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.61 km

Abercorn Bay Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Lovely easy riding Sustrans trail through the woods. Higher up there is a another trail that you can use to loop round that pops out by Mid Hope Castle.

Tip by

11.0 km

End point

Guest House

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.56 km

2.06 km

1.32 km

1.12 km

Surfaces

6.69 km

2.69 km

1.20 km

186 m

156 m

137 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (70 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Saturday 17 October

11°C

-2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 8, 2024,Schottland: "Outlander" Route. Midhope Castle - Blackness Castle über Abercorn

We started from the Midhope Castle car park. As Outlander fans, we also paid £7.50 to get to "Lallybroch". By chance, we passed Abercorn Church as we continued on, with a wonderful (if you can call it that) cemetery with ancient graves. Almost a bit mystical. Our route took us along a forest path along the coast to Blackness Castle. …

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