- Cathcart Castle
Cathcart Castle was a 15th century castle, located in what is now Linn Park in the
Cathcart area of southernGlasgow ,Scotland . The castle was abandoned in in the 18th century, and the remaining ruins were pulled down in 1980, leaving only foundations visible.History
The lands of Cathcart were held by the family of that name from the 12th century. In the mid-15th century the head of the family was raised to the peerage as Lord Cathcart, and it is believed that the castle was built at around this time. [Salter, p.129] In 1546 the castle passed to the Semple family. Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have spent the night before the
Battle of Langside (1568) at Cathcart, and to have watched the battle from a nearby hill called the Court Knowe. The story is unlikely, however, as the Semples were supporters of Mary's enemies. [Mason, p.81]In 1740 the Semples built Cathcart House, also since demolished, nearby, and moved out of the castle, leaving it to ruin. The newly created 1st Earl Cathcart bought back his ancestral home in 1814, although with the intention of selling off the stone rather than living in it. In 1866 the castle was still standing to 5 storeys, and was surrounded by outbuildings. [Williamson, Riches and Higgs, p.540] The lands around the castle were purchased by Glasgow City Council in 1927, and added to Linn Park. In 1980 the remaining ruins were pronounced dangerous, and were pulled down by the council. The site is now a
Scheduled Ancient Monument .Architecture
The castle was built on the rocky north-east bank of the White Cart Water. It comprised a rectangular
tower house , 15.5m by 9m, of five storeys including a vaulted basement. This was supplemented by a curtain wall, enclosing a small barmkin approximately 22m by 15m, with the tower at the centre. The curtain wall had round corner towers, and a twin-towered gatehouse to the east. The foundations of the tower house remain to around 1m high. Earthworks to the west of the castle have been interpreted as the remains of an outer bailey or ringwork. [NMRS Site Ref. NS56SE 43]Notes
References
*Mason, Gordon "The Castles of Glasgow and the Clyde", Goblinshead, 2000
*Salter, Mike "The Castles of South West Scotland", Folly Publications, 1993
*Williamson, E, Riches, A and Higgs, M "The Buildings of Scotland: Glasgow", Penguin, 1990*
National Monuments Record of Scotland Site Refeerence NS56SE 43 [http://lmid1.rcahms.gov.uk/pls/portal/newcanmore.details_gis?inumlink=44305]External links
*A. H. Millar "Traditions and Stories of Scottish Castles" Cathcart Castle [http://www.electricscotland.com/history/castles/cathcart.htm]
* [http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gscrp/Cathcart.html Gordon's Scottish Castles] : plans and pictures of Cathcart Castle.
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