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28 August 2024

Hundreds of years of history to descend on Blackness Castle for Siege on the Forth

Annual event to welcome visitors for a weekend of living history, musketry performances and science shows

An aeriel view of Siege on the Forth with Blackness Castle in the background

The popular ‘Siege on the Forth’ event will be returning to Blackness Castle on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September. The iconic historical site, also known as the ‘ship that never sailed’, will host a weekend of activities for visitors to enjoy.

There will be living history performers from across the ages, including Medieval and Napoleonic encampments, plus exhilarating arena shows featuring musketry performances. There will also be the chance for visitors to uncover more about their own family histories, thanks to the World War One encampment where family photographs can be brought in for reenactors to identify early 20th century military regiments.

There will be interactive activities for all ages, such as the ever-popular Kids Army for the little ones and stone masons offering a ‘have a go’ stonemasonry activity. Glasgow Science Centre will also be putting on their Castles Rock show, and the Historic Scotland Rangers will once again be offering bird watching from the battlements.

Gillian Urquhart, Visitor Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“Blackness Castle is one of Scotland's most impressive strongholds, with spectacular views across to the Fife coast and Forth bridges. The site has served as an artillery fortress, royal castle, prison and armaments depot, and more recently as a backdrop for the TV series Outlander.

Our Siege on the Forth event gives visitors the chance to delve deeper into the history of this iconic site and we look forward to welcoming everyone across the weekend to discover more about the rich history of ship that never sailed!

'Siege on the Forth’ will take place at Blackness Castle from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

Tickets for the event can be bought in advance online. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 

  • We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
  • Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.

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For further information, please contact:

Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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