#Abandoned castle ruins in scotland full

You’d think missing the Wars of Independence would have exempted Crookston Castle from the worst of our brutal history but it still endured a couple of major sieges. Set atop a mound in what is now a residential area, the ruins have an allure and mystery that begs for exploration.Īlthough an early 15 th Century castle, there are signs of activity here several hundred years preceding that. Crookston to the south west of the city is closer and around just 15 minutes from the centre by car. I’ve already said that I see Bothwell as “Glasgow’s castle”….that’s maybe a tad unfair. And yet, Dumbarton Castle is arguably one of the most historically significant ruins we’ve got.

#Abandoned castle ruins in scotland full

The umpteen sieges and full exposure to west of Scotland weather add to the mystery. Quite how any sort of man-made structure could have survived over the centuries defies belief. Dumbarton Castle stood very much at the centre of the Kingdom of Strathclyde and guarded over south west Scotland. Our Scandinavian friends in particular held a vested interest over much of our outlying territories, making Dumbarton a place of interest. Very much a military fortification it held strategic importance given its proximity to the Hebridean Isles.

Having seen it all over the centuries, Vikings have laid siege in 871, William Wallace was likely imprisoned here, James IV laid siege in late medieval times, Mary Queen of Scots was a repeat visitor and numerous prisoners from the Jacobite and Napoleonic Wars were held here. Of the castles near Glasgow, it has to be the most dramatically set.

The peaks around Loch Lomond can also be spotted to the north – an advantageous location indeed. The ever-expanding metropolis of Glasgow dominates to the east and the promise of the isles lies to the west. On a sunny day the views from the multiple summits are spectacular. The random mound that is Dumbarton Rock has a beautiful placement aside the point where the River Clyde opens up to join our maze of west coast waters. The setting of Dumbarton Castle is really quite ludicrous. 15 th Century construction under the Douglases saw more peaceful times before it was eventually abandoned by the 18 th Century. Clearly our southern neighbours saw its geographic significance and advantage. In 1336 it once again became an English base before once more being besieged by the Scots and left derelict. Think Game of Thrones and the northern fortress of Winterfell.įollowing the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Bothwell was a temporary sanctuary for the defeated English troops. Occupied by alternating English and Scottish forces it was even the base for Edward’s Warden of Scotland, Aymer de Valence. Scottish historical legends like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce were ultimately to be propelled into immortality but, for Bothwell, it bore the brunt of numerous sieges. The foundations were barely in place when Edward I of England thought it’d be a good idea to invade Scotland and plunge Britain into a conflict that remains rich in infamy and dread. Shortly after Bothwell Castle’s birth, it was plunged inopportunely straight into the Wars of Independence. Rectangular and fitting my particular criteria to be called a ‘proper’ castle, the cylindrical donjon (keep) and mighty placement make it home to many, many stories. A glowing red sandstone ruin, it is in just the right state of repair to inspire historians and photographers alike. It’s a stretch (it’s around 10 miles away in South Lanarkshire) but given that the Clyde runs directly by it, the river keeps the two connected. I always think of Bothwell as Glasgow’s Castle. All are within 30 minutes (ish) driving time of our largest city.

Several don’t even appear in any of the leading guidebooks. Even to seasoned Scotland fans, a look at the castles near Glasgow throws up a surprise or two…. In the first of several Glasgow-centered posts, I stick to a favourite topic in the form of charismatic ruins. It’s where life started for me and I love getting to know more and more about its appeal, old and new. Sure I’ll take it for granted from time to time, but it gives me an enormous sense of comfort to know that I’m where I belong in the world. My home city of Glasgow is my favourite place in the world. While that would throw most instinctive travellers into something of a tantrum, I couldn’t be happier. With the rain lashing off the windows, the heating creeping on and darkness storming in by 4pm, I’m going to spend the next several weeks fairly close to home.