Crookston Castle near Paisley

Wee Guides to Scotland
Crookston Castle, near Paisley

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Surrounded by a large ditch - now in the middle of a housing estate - Crookston Castle is an unusual ruined irregularly-shaped 13th-century keep. The keep is strengthened by towers at the corners, only one of which is fairly intact, formerly making it X-plan. The lands passed by marriage in the 13th century to the Stewart Earls of Lennox. During the rebellion of the Earl of Lennox in the 15th century, James IV bombarded the castle with the large cannon, 'Mons Meg' - which is kept at Edinburgh Castle - leading to a quick surrender. Mary, Queen of Scot's husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, owned it; and they may have been betrothed here, rather than at Wemyss Castle, or have stayed here after their marriage. It passed through many families, including the Graham Dukes of Montrose, who in 1757 sold it to the Maxwells of Pollok. The castle became ruinous, but was partly restored in 1847 to commemorate Queen Victoria's first visit to Glasgow. It was gifted to The National Trust for Scotland in 1931, their first property.

Directions:	Off A736, 3 miles E of Paisley.
Ownership:	Pri/LA	0141 332 7133	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NT 089875 65
Open:	Open all year - key available from Castle Cottage at reasonable times. Administered by Historic Scotland.
Key:	P Nearby	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk