Strathclyde - Castles
Castles to visit in Ayrshire, Arran, Argyll, Bute, and the greater Glasgow region
Bothwell is the largest and finest 13th-century stone castle in Scotland. Much of castle dates from 14th and 15th centuries, but part of the original circular keep survives.
Castle Avenue,
Bothwell,
Uddingston,
Strathclyde,
Scotland, G71 8BL
Heritage Rating: 
?
Heritage Highlight: 13th century donjon tower
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
Cadzow Castle stands above Avon Water, overlooking Chatelherault Country Park, a remnant of a medieval hunting park. The castle dates to the 12th century, though it stands on a site probably used as a hunting lodge by the kings of Strathclyde centuries earlier. Cadzow was an occasional royal residence for kings going as far back as David I (1124 - 1153).
Chatelherault Country Park,
Hamilton,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: 
?
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
Carnasserie Castle is a late 16th-century tower house guarding the northern approach to Kilmartin Glen. A combination fortress and residence, the castle boasts some excellent architectural details.
A816,
Kilmartin,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
Motorists passing along the A828 between Creagan and Ballachulish, on the rocky coast of Argyll, cannot fail to notice the romantic outline of Castle Stalker, situated on a small islet in Loch Laich. The castle dates to the early 14th century and was begun by the MacDougalls, Lords of Lorn.
A828,
Portnacroish,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Photos
of Castle Stalker
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
The ruins of a late 11th or early 12th-century castle built by Suibhne, lord of Argyll, stand on a rocky knoll in southern Knapdale. Castle Sween changed hands multiple times over the medieval period, passing in turn from the MacSweens to the MacDonalds, to the MacNeills, and the MacMillans. The MacDonalds recaptured Sween in 1647 and slighted the castle, making it uninhabitable.
Lochgilphead,
Argyll and Bute,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Possibly the oldest stone castle in Scotland
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
A 12th-century castle mound, or motte, close to the south bank of the River Clyde. The motte is about 75 feet in diameter at the base, rising to just under 11 feet high, with a wide, flat top measuring 45 x 38 feet. The motte was originally surrounded bty a wide ditch, but this has been filled in by farming, and the road which runs close to the south west corner of the site.
Cornhill Road,
Wolfclyde,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: A good example of a small Norman motte
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
An early 16th-century castle associated with the novels of Sir Walter Scott, Craignethan is based around a tower house built by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart (see Cadzow Castle). Craignethan is notable as one of the finest examples of early artillery defences, including a caponier, or stone vaulted artillery chamber. Only one other caponier exists in Scotland, at Blackness, which may also have been built by Sir John Hamilton. Craignethan is an extraordinary fortress, perhaps the last great private military fortress to be built in Scotland.
Crossford,
Strathclyde,
Scotland, ML11 9PL
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
Crookston is an intriguing site; there may have been a circular Dark Ages enclosure here, possibly a fortified settlement, but this was superceded by a ringwork defence of earthen banks, built by Robert Croc around 1180. Croc, whose name is remembered in the current 'Crookston', built a private chapel within his earthworks, and foundations of the chapel have been unearthed.
170 Brockburn Road,
Pollok,
Strathclyde,
Scotland
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
A conical motte, or mote, surrounded by a wide bailey enclosure, built around 1200 by Thomas Colville Le Scott. No structures survive, but the mound is extremely well preserved.
High Street,
Dalmellington,
Strathclyde,
Scotland, KA6 7QZ
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Very well preserved early medieval motte
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
The ancestral seat of the Boyd family, Dean Castle dates to the 14th century and hosts an outstanding collection of historic weapons, armour and musical instruments. Free castle tours.
Dean Road,
Kilmarnock,
Strathclyde,
Scotland, KA3 1XB
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: 14th-century fortified tower
Nearest: Hotels - Self Catering - Bed
and Breakfasts
