The Glasgow and the Clyde Valley area is awash with castles and churches. Some of these dating from as far back as the 12th century are nothing more than a cobbled collection of stones; most have disappeared altogether. There remains however a valiant few who stand testament to the region's colourful and parochial past. Some of these are below:
Stanely Castle stands inaccessible in Stanely Reservoir just behind Paisley on the way to Glennifer Braes. The castle (another L-plan tower house) is constructed in local freestone, which shows very little sign of weathering, though plenty sign of moss and grass. For relevant information on this and other castles/keeps check out Gordon Mason's excellent guide The Castles of Glasgow and the Clyde, one of the many terrific books on the city available at Glasgow District Libraries.
The extant ruins of Gilbertfield Castle in Gilbertfield farm in Cambuslang (just roll on in and say hello to the farmer, he won't mind). It lies on the slope of Dechmont Hill, itself a fine observatory of the surrounding land, and best got at through another farm. The castle is an L-plan tower house and was built, according to a heraldic panel above the front door, in 1607. The castle is within the former barony of Drumsagard, which was a possession of the Hamiltons.
Another castle en route to the hills, (there are just too many to document here, they deserve a whole blog unto themselves). Bardowie Castle, now a private home, is on the way to Milngavie, and sits on the edge of Bardowie Loch. The estate was originally owned by the Galbraith chieftain's family in the 13th century, but passed by marriage to the Hamiltons of Cadzow in the 14th century. The castle, rectangular in plan-form, was originally built in 1566, with additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1707, the sister of John Hamilton of Bardowie married Gregor "Black Knee" MacGregor, chieftain of the clan at that time and Rob Roy's nephew.The castle later passed to the Buchanan family and was owned by a Buchanan until the latter part of the 20th century. Modernised in the early 1990s it was sold for around £1 million in 2004. The advertisement described '6 reception rooms, 9 bedrooms, 8 bath/shower rooms, kitchen, library, home cinema, 2 kitchenettes, sauna, gymnasium'.
Neilston Parish Church.
East Mains Castle Keep in East Kilbride.
The magnificent Paisley Abbey.
Mugdock Country Park boasts a few castles of which this one is by far the best preserved.
Baldernock Parish Church was built on the foundations of a previous church in 1795. The earliest decipherable headstone dates back to 1665 though there are others whose faces have been swept clean which date back slightly earlier. Closeby are the rhizomatic ruins of Craigmaddie Castle which are accessible through one of the area's many farmsteads. Indeed, this whole 'parish' is full of quaint little curiosities and is a fine starting point for an interesting afternoon's wander. Just to the north are the Campsie Fells and to the west the Kelvin Valley.
The magnificent rubescent Bothwell Castle donjon.
The 15th century Duntreath Castle Keep in the shadow of the Campsies remains relativey untouched since its inception. It can be reached either from the A809 or from the West Highland Way round the back of Dumgoyach plug.
Crookston Hill near Cardonald and the 14th century castle atop it present us with an ideal opportunity for all round vistas. The terrace at the top is beyond words in its capacity to show Glasgow from another aspect. The castle itself was the one time home of Robert de Croc and is set in its own grounds. Glasgow is a city of castles with some dozen or so in excellent condition in the city itself. On its fringes there are many more, and whether you like castles or not, if you can get up to the top of them, they are outlook towers of the first order.
Neilston Parish Church.
East Mains Castle Keep in East Kilbride.
The magnificent Paisley Abbey.
Mugdock Country Park boasts a few castles of which this one is by far the best preserved.
Cadder Church and Graveyard lies just off the Forth and Clyde Canal about 7km north of Glasgow between Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch. It forms part of the cincture that was the Antonine Wall although nothing remains of the fort that was stationed here. The church itself designed by David Hamilton (1768-1843), one of the contributors to 19th century Glasgow, was built on the grounds of the old church in 1825. If you're feeling particularly morbid there's a memento mori in the graveyard of an open steel coffin. Unfortunately though, for those vampiric enough to try it for size, there doesn't appear to be a lid.
Baldernock Parish Church was built on the foundations of a previous church in 1795. The earliest decipherable headstone dates back to 1665 though there are others whose faces have been swept clean which date back slightly earlier. Closeby are the rhizomatic ruins of Craigmaddie Castle which are accessible through one of the area's many farmsteads. Indeed, this whole 'parish' is full of quaint little curiosities and is a fine starting point for an interesting afternoon's wander. Just to the north are the Campsie Fells and to the west the Kelvin Valley.
The name of Chatelherault is derived from the French town of Chatellerault, the title Duc de Chatellerault being held by the Duke of Hamilton. The country park is centred on the former hunting lodge of the now demolished Hamilton Palace. The lodge was designed by William Adam, and completed in 1734.
There was an original castle on this site near the village of Drymen as the seat of the Buchanans. But in 1682, because of financial difficulties, it was sold to the Graham Marquis (later Dukes) of Montrose. This building was burned down in 1850 and the present building was created, designed by William Burn with gardens modelled by "Capability" Brown.
After the death of the 5th Duke of Montrose, Buchanan Castle was sold in 1925. It was used as a hotel and then a military hospital during the Second World War. Hitler's deputy, Rudolph Hess was treated for injuries there after he crash-landed in Scotland, near Eaglesham, in May 1941. In the 1950s, in order to avoid paying local taxes, the roof was removed and as a result the building deteriorated rapidly. Much of the surrounding land became a golf course and a number of houses have also been built in the grounds.
In 2003, a planning application was turned down to demolish the internal walls of Buchanan Castle and retain only the south and east walls. 39 flats would then have been built in the interior space of the ruin. However, it is likely that the developers will be back with alternative proposals.
After the death of the 5th Duke of Montrose, Buchanan Castle was sold in 1925. It was used as a hotel and then a military hospital during the Second World War. Hitler's deputy, Rudolph Hess was treated for injuries there after he crash-landed in Scotland, near Eaglesham, in May 1941. In the 1950s, in order to avoid paying local taxes, the roof was removed and as a result the building deteriorated rapidly. Much of the surrounding land became a golf course and a number of houses have also been built in the grounds.
In 2003, a planning application was turned down to demolish the internal walls of Buchanan Castle and retain only the south and east walls. 39 flats would then have been built in the interior space of the ruin. However, it is likely that the developers will be back with alternative proposals.
The magnificent rubescent Bothwell Castle donjon.
The 15th century Duntreath Castle Keep in the shadow of the Campsies remains relativey untouched since its inception. It can be reached either from the A809 or from the West Highland Way round the back of Dumgoyach plug.
Crookston Hill near Cardonald and the 14th century castle atop it present us with an ideal opportunity for all round vistas. The terrace at the top is beyond words in its capacity to show Glasgow from another aspect. The castle itself was the one time home of Robert de Croc and is set in its own grounds. Glasgow is a city of castles with some dozen or so in excellent condition in the city itself. On its fringes there are many more, and whether you like castles or not, if you can get up to the top of them, they are outlook towers of the first order.
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