Despite being Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow does not have a major royal residence or home like the capital’s Holyrood Palace or Edinburgh Castle. However, the greater Glasgow area and the adjoining Clyde Valley have enjoyed magnificent castles since the early 13th century.
Bothwell Castle, south west of Glasgow
Bothwell Castle is the finest 13th-century medieval Scottish castle of all and is still said to be one of the largest in the country, despite being classified as a ruin. It was the Murray clan who decided to build Bothwell to protect a vital crossing of the River Clyde. Thanks to its central location, the castle has seen a lot of action and sustained heavy war damage since the 15th century. Although rebuilt by the Black Douglasses, it was abandoned at the end of the 17th century. However, the keep, the prison tower, the chapel and the great hall survive in reasonable condition.
Crawford Castle, Crawford
Crawford Castle (originally named Lindsay Tower after the family who built it in the late 12th century) is a ruin on the north bank of the River Clyde. It is a castle that has seen colorful changes of ownership over the years: the Earl of Crawford, the Earl of Angus, the Duke of Hamilton, and later Sir George Colebrooke in the 18th century. As the sandy end of a magnificent structure, the castle’s last use before being abandoned was as a country house.
Douglas Castle, nr Douglas
The 17th century 9m corner tower is all that remains of the Clan Douglas stronghold. From the end of the 13th century, several castles were built and subsequently destroyed. A mansion was built in the 18th century but was demolished again in 1938. Of ancient and modern historical interest, in the early 14th century the Douglas family were great friends of Robert the Bruce, while in more modern times it was the seat of the descendant Alec Douglas Home, former British Prime Minister. It also served as the inspirational castle for Sir Walter Scott’s novel Castle Dangerous.
Newark Castle, Glasgow Harbor
The well-preserved Newark Castle was built in 1478 overlooking the Firth of the River Clyde. It has a rather unusual location in the center of what is now a shipyard. From about 1694 until it passed into the state, it had a succession of owners, the most significant being the creation of a rather elegant Renaissance mansion in 1597 by Sir Patrick Maxwell (a descendant of the original owner), who was a very close and influential friend. of King James VI of Scotland. The shoreline aspect of the castle remains quite an imposing sight to this day.
Strahaven Castle, Strahaven
Originally believed to have been built in 1350, the first Lord Avondale, Sir Andrew Stewart, rebuilt Strathaven Castle in 1458. Suffering an unusually early demise, it was abandoned and fell into a sad state of disrepair in 1716 after Anne, the 3rd Duchess of Hamilton passed away. outside. Then, in 1736, one of the towers was struck by lightning, and to add further misery to this once-beautiful castle, the roof was blown off in a severe storm in 1737. As a result, the local began quarrying stone from the castle. to use in your own construction ‘projects’. Of note is the myriad of secret passageways connecting the castle to the city, and rumor has it that one of the Lord’s wives was buried alive to die in one of the walls.
Glasgow, with its excellent architecture, was deservedly awarded the UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999. It was designated “Second City of the Empire” during the 19th century, and is certainly the perfect center from which to explore the magnificent castles of the area. .