Blackness is a small village and harbour at Blackness Bay, an inlet of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It lies 3.4 mi (5.5 km) east-southeast of Bo'ness, 5.0 mi (8.0 km) west-northwest of South Queensferry and 3.8 mi (6.1 km) north-east of Linlithgow, within the council area of Falkirk. It was formerly part of the historic county of West Lothian.
Blackness
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![]() A view of houses in the village of Blackness | |
![]() ![]() Blackness Location within the Falkirk council area | |
Population | 135 [1] (2001 census) |
OS grid reference | NT051800 |
• Edinburgh | 13.4 mi (21.6 km) SE |
• London | 341 mi (549 km) SSE |
Civil parish |
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Council area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | LINLITHGOW |
Postcode district | EH49 |
Dialling code | 01506 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament |
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Scottish Parliament |
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Website | falkirk.gov.uk |
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At the 2001 Census Blackness was reported as having a population of around 135 residents.[1]
The village originally served as a port for nearby Linlithgow, which was a principal residence of the Scottish monarchs from as early as the 12th century. James IV gave the village to one of his household servants, John Kirkwood, Master of the Larder, in January 1502.[2]
As a port, Blackness was later superseded by Bo'ness, and fell into decline from the 17th century. Blackness Yacht Club currently use the village as a base for its sailing activities.
The small village is dominated by Blackness Castle, situated on a promontory overlooking the bay. The castle was both a residence and a prison before passing to Crown ownership in 1453. The castle is currently under the care of Historic Scotland and has been used as a setting for several films including Hamlet,[3] and the BBC production of Ivanhoe.[4] In addition to the castle and the boat club, the village contains a small variety shop and a pub restaurant. The old smithy has long since shut its doors, as has the dairy which once operated from the village.
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