The shoreline near Blackness Castle is the perfect place to track down some of Scotland's most fascinating wildlife.

Join Historic Scotland's Ranger Service and become a Nature Detective for the morning on Tuesday 7th and 14th August. Likely finds may include oysters, mussels, crabs and several types of jellyfish.

Ian Lewis, Historic Scotland Countryside Ranger said:
There are all sorts of fascinating creatures along the shoreline near Blackness Castle. This is a great chance to find everything from birds to sea life, and discover which lives where and who hunts what.

The Nature Detective sessions are on Tuesday 7th and 14th August at 10.00am and last around two hours. They are designed for families and are ideal ways to introduce children to Scottish wildlife. It is free to take part, but booking is essential as spaces are limited. Wellies and weatherproof clothes are essential. Call the rangers on 01506 842 065 for further details.

The Historic Scotland Ranger Service would like to remind people that care is essential whenever they are near water. It is also important not to touch creatures such as jellyfish as some species have a poisonous sting.

• Blackness Castle is 4 miles north east of Linlithgow on the Firth of Forth, off the A904. Admission: £4.00 for adults, £3.00 concessions and £2.00 for children. Please note, the Nature Detectives event is free and does not include entry to Blackness Castle.
  
  
• Blackness Castle, which sits beside the Firth of Forth at the seaport which served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times, was built in the 15th century by one of Scotland's most powerful families, the Crichtons.
  
  
• It came into royal hands in 1453, and spent much of the next century serving as a royal prison, housing many of King James II's enemies.
  
  
• Between 1537-1543 the Castle was transformed into one of the strongest artillery fortifications of its age; but after the siege in the 1650's the Castle was badly damaged and was not used in this way again, later becoming a prison once more.
  
  
• In the late 19th Century, Blackness became the army's central ammunition depot in Scotland, until being put into the care of Historic Scotland. The Castle has been restored in this time to capture its medieval background.