Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Bothwell Castle, Scotland

 This evening, I am posting another selection from Scotland’s wide portfolio of some 600 castles of which I have now visited a substantial number.

Above is Bothwell Castle, which is within easy reach from Glasgow and one of the few castles in and around Glasgow. This is built of sandstone and stands on the banks of the River Clyde, a position which, in medieval times would have afforded both defence and a means of communication. This castle is packed with history. Between 1296 and 1357 the castle changed hands no less than 5 times in the on-going Wars of Independence between England and Scotland. Robert the Bruce had the castle slighted but it was rebuilt and then destroyed again by Andrew Moray in 1337. Much of the castle was use as a quarry to build a nearby mansion which in turn was pulled down due to subsidence as a consequence of coal mining. There remains enough of this castle to get a full appreciation for its size, importance and function.

Doune Castle

 Above is the entyr to Doune Castle guarded by a couple of actors with a Monty Python theme for it was here that some of Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. Like Bothwell above, Doune sits on the banks of a river, this time the Teith. The gatehouse is over 95 ft high and was even higher when first built. Most of the castle was built by Robert Stewart in the 15th century.In its time Doune was a hunting fortress used by the Scots Royal Family. Over the years Doune became a ruin but was restored in the 19th century and is now a popular visitor atrraction and deserving of a visit.

Balvenie Castle, Scotland

 Balvenie is (literally) closely connected with Scotland’s whisky industry owing to its close proximity to both Balvenie and Glenfiddich Distilleries on Speyside. Unusually for a Scottish Castle, Balvenie did not experience major military action notwithstanding its strategic importance controlling the junction of key roads in Aberdeenshire and Strathspey. Had connections with the Black Douglases, Earls of Atholl and Mary, Queen of Scots. Owned by the Duff family until 1718.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

 Inverlochy Castle is a substantial ruin located close to Fort William in the Highlands. Built to control the southern end of the Great Glen around 1275 by the Red Comyn, John, as Lord of Lochaber. Free entry and good photo opps. Worth a visit when in Fort William area.

Drummond Castle, Perthshire

Drummond Castle, Perthshire is still in good condition and in private hands. Unfortunately, this castle is not open to the public but the stunning gardens associated with it are. This castle dates from around 1490 and has been home to two queens of Scotland. Long associated with the Drummond family.

This morning, I collected guests from Argyll Hotel, Glasgow and proceeded on a private tour as follows: 

• To Crookston Castle which is a 15th century stone fortress-residence of Sir John Stewart of Darnley standing within a defensive earthwork dating to Sir Robert Croc’s time in the late 12th century. A very impressive edifice in the somewhat incongruous setting of a Glasgow housing estate. We were able to enter the interior and explore the various floors of this former high status building.
• After Crookston we drove to nearby Paisley, principally to visit the famous and impressive Abbey which was founded in 1163 by Walter Fitzalan, the High Steward of Scotland and from whom the Stewart royal house of Scotland is descended.
• Next to Bearsden Roman Baths which date from the time of the Antonine Wall, about AD140. This was a leisure facility for Roman soldiers stationed at one of the 26 forts on the Wall. Similar to modern-day Turkish baths. Evidence of underfloor, hypocaust heating and sophisticated water management which fed not only the baths but also the latrine. After visiting the baths we went on into Bearsden for a light lunch in the town.
• Our next target was Bothwell Castle, built beside the River Clyde during the mid 13th century by Walter of Moray. Heavily involved in the Wars of Independence and frequently changed hands between Scots and English. In later years much of the stone was robbed to build a nearby mansion. However, the remains are impressive and the castle deserving of a visit.
• Our final stop was Glasgow Cathedral which dates from the 13th century and was virtually unscathed by the Reformation of the 16th century.  Close by is Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house which dates from the 1400s. 

Weather was mixed but did not affect our enjoyment of the above sites.

Tomorrow, we are off to Edinburgh.

This evening, I am posting a short video of an extensive patch of snowdrops in bloom as found on the banks of the River Clyde.