Crookston Castle

Crookston Castle is located in the Pollok district of Glasgow, some 5 miles (8 km) south of the city centre and overlooking the Levern Water, just before its confluence with the White Cart Water. The castle was originally a rectangular structure, later strengthened by the addition of towers at each corner, although only one tower at the northeast corner survives at its former height. The entrance was adjacent and defended by a portcullis and two doors.

The castle was most likely built in the late 14th C. and was long the property of the Stuarts of Darnley, including Henry Stuart (1545-67), who was second husband to Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle had been besieged by King James IV in 1489 and significantly damaged. The ruin passed through various hands, including the Dukes of Montrose, who sold it to the Maxwells of Pollok in 1757. This family partially restored the castle to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria to Glasgow in 1847.

In 1931, Crookston became the first property acquired by the National Trust for Scotland, having been presented by Sir John Stirling Maxwell (1866 - 1956), who was one of the Trust's founder members and first Vice Presidents. Today, its maintenance is the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland.

The poets Robert Burns (1759-96), William Motherwell (1797 - 1835) and Robert Tannahill (1774 - 1810) have all mentioned the castle in their works, while Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) suggested Mary, Queen of Scots, watched the Battle of Langside (1568) from its towers, although the topography makes this impossible.


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