Crookston Castle and Surroundings.

                                      

 

                                                   ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.

Unlike Edinburgh and Stirling both of which have castles tourists can hardly miss as they dominate any visitor's eye line on entry Glasgow's sole remaining medieval castle sits five miles south west of the city centre in the neighbourhood of Pollok. People can drive right past it without noticing it is there at all and even many Glaswegians are unaware of its existence. Which is a shame because it deserves better.

 

It may be a ruin half hidden on a small hillside in the middle of a housing estate but it is worth a visit. Whereas both Edinburgh and Stirling Castle charge big bucks to gain entry past the gates Crookston Castle is free and you explore it alone. No crowds unless you are very unlucky. I was there a few days after summer opening times started. April 1st to 30th Sept 9:30am to 5:30 pm daily. Last entry 5:00pm. As usual I had it to myself. You can reach it via bus or train to Crookston Train Station nearby. Indeed the district of Crookston takes it's name from the original owner of the castle and surrounding lands. Croc's town.

 

A view from the roof of the tower. Coming by car you can park unobtrusively on the quiet minor side street beside the castle, just off Brockburn Road. Leverndale Tower sits astride another modest hill not far away (see last post for that.)

The spring daffodils were out for my arrival and it was a beautiful day. As well as being free having it to myself was a real privilege as it felt even more special wandering around it completely alone. Sir Robert Croc, also referred to as Sir Robert De Croc was a Knight given lands here by the king in the 1100s. He built a wooden fortress surrounded by deep ditches and palisades and the stone castle of today was built on the same spot. The ditches date to the 1100s but the stone castle was constructed early 1400s making it one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow.

 

Earthwork ditches surrounding the castle.

 

Like most castles in those uncertain times this one has a single low entrance, easily defended with gate, spear, and swords from within. Unfortunately the 1400 owners, The Darnley Stewarts, backed the wrong side, a common occurrence back then, and the ruin that's left today is the result. The teenage King James the IV attacking it with cannon balls, destroying two of it's four corner towers, holding up the main roof structure. Before that however it was in the possession of one Lord Darnley, who of course went on to marry Mary Queen of Scots, who may well have visited here. 

 

Main info board here. Darnley and Queen's Park, both districts within Glasgow take their name from events at that time. Battles and courtship. This ruin in fact was probably better appreciated in the 1700s- early 1800s than it is today. A slightly less easy journey on foot, horseback or coach to it being deemed very romantic. Writer Sir Walter Scott and Poet Robert Burns inspired by its location and royal history as back then it would have stood in splendid isolation in undeveloped rural countryside.

 

The highlight nowadays is the climb up the enclosed tower to the rooftop via a series of steep metal ladders. Edinburgh and Stirling castles might well have more to see inside but neither of them boast a similar airy and fairly intimidating ascent to the rooftop. As I get older it is more of a challenge to climb up to this daunting elevated pedestal and I found the ladders easy enough but didn't move around much once standing on the roof itself. The metal guard rails are fairly low for modern health and safety times and I fancied hanging on to my old age pension now that I've received it at last. Fairly gusty stiff breeze blowing as well up here. A fearless rock climber no more sadly as I avoided looking directly over the edge of the drop this time and stayed well back from the railing whereas before I was happy to lean on it, looking straight down.

 

Set of stairs to the roof.

 

The last of several metal ladders leading up to the roof. As it already sits on a hill to begin with the view over Glasgow and Paisley is well worth the climb. 

 

Leverndale Tower and hospital grounds from the roof of Crookston Castle.

 

 

A view over north Pollok  and Glasgow to the Campsie Fells in the distance.

 

Bellahouston Flats from Crookston Castle.

 

Lyoncross Road. Pollok. Crookston Wood (on right) and Moss Heights Flats.(in the distance in white.)

The central courtyard and great hall, now roofless. Although still a ruin there's more to see inside than first appearances might suggest.

It was at this point, descending back down again through an eerily empty and silent castle, with the sun directly behind me, that a vile apparition rose into view. I was momentarily discombobulated and had a bit of a shock. A putrid stench arose from the ground under and around me and I knew it had to be an ancient creature once known as 'a selfie.' Undeterred and regaining my shattered composure somewhat I challenged the beast.

" Begone foul imp!" Skunk of Satan!" This is not your rightful home! Leave now at once!"

The sun went behind a cloud and the creature melted away. Cowering under the lash of a human tongue no doubt. (Take note numerous ghost programmes on TV today, paraded as entertainment. Stand your ground and fear no darkness, cold spots, jerky cameras, or mumbo jumbo. Ghost or no ghost.)

From the roof of the castle I also spotted my next destination. A rare jewel indeed. Over many decades I've explored practically every square km on the Landranger OS map Sheet 64 of Greater Glasgow and Surroundings but right here in front of me, a rifle shot from my own childhood home, was a landscape I'd never visited. An unexpected treat.