July 18, 2024 -- One of our stops on the Outlander tour was Blackness Castle, Fort William in the series. Fort William is where Jamie received his lashes from Captain Randle. It is also where Jamie's father died after seeing his son punished. Jamie rescued Claire from Fort William when she was being held by Jack Randle. During filming, the metal railing was replaced with 18th century wooden railing.
Blackness Castle
It really looks like a ship.
Inside the castle
In reality, Blackness Castle was one of Scotland's most impressive strongholds. It dates to the 15th century and is built on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. The castle is shaped like a ship and is often called "the ship that never sailed." Blackness Castle fell to Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650. Some years after the siege, the castle was repaired and used as as a garrison and prison. Barracks and officers' quarters were added in the 1870's, when the castle was used as an ammunition depot until 1912.
Fort William
The ship that never sailed.
The movies Outlaw King and Mary Queen of Scots were also filmed at Blackness Castle.