Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Two castle built during the same period, but for completely different uses.  Blackness Castle was a military fort on the Forth of Firth, which also served as a prison for "important people".  The warden received extra money for taking good care of them.  When you were an important prisoner, you were allowed to bring your servants, furniture, even family if you were staying a long time.  It later was used to guard the Forth and then as an armory.  It was last used during WWI.  Talk about good value for money spent!

What the Blackness  looked like when new.

Blackness Castle on the edge of the Firth of Forth.

Linlithgow Palace was used by Royalty during the 15th and 16th centuries.  James the VI of Scotland and the I of England lived here until he moved to the court to London.  Mary, Queen of Scots was born here in 1542.  While you can still feel how grand the building originally was, it is largely ruins, with parts closed off due to damage.  If you have a good imagination, the walls are painted in brilliant colors, the ceilings are carved wood, and the outside is rendered in a pale cream color. I like to think of it this way.

Linlithgow Palace

Decoration on the fountain built to celebrate the birth of James V's  son, James VI.

The King's bed chamber.

We climbed the medieval stairs to the highest part of the tower.  The view of the grounds and lake were worth the climb.

The view was worth the pain.