Scotland’s kings and queens used Blackness Castle as a state prison. It was used to house middle and low status prisoners as well as those of higher office. Many of them were held here in the stem tower. This room was relatively well appointed with a fireplace, a window and a latrine giving the prisoner a basic level of comfort. It’s likely that the Border reiver ‘Crukit Dande’ Ormiston was held here in 1561 when he was a ‘guest of Blackness In stark contrast, prisoners of low status were held in the pit prison below. These wretched souls endured horrific conditions. Imagine being stuck in the cold and dark as the pit was ‘slopped out’ twice a day by the high tide. The damp conditions would have made it mouldy, smelly and uncomfortable. Rats would have been frequent visitors. source:Blackness Visitor Information Board #scotland #castle #castlesofscotland #outlander #visitscotland #history #andythehighlander #highlandertours #scottish #castles