Clan Rising

Cochrane Castle

Cochrane Castle stood about 1 mile west of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, near the Black Cart Water. Little of the original complex survives; a late-19th-century monument incorporates a dated stone and a section claimed to be from the original tower.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Its prime

1592

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1592

What Cochrane Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact, vertically emphasised stone tower house rising several storeys with corbie-stepped gables; masonry of roughly coursed stone with some dressed ashlar dressings. Narrow vertical window openings and a pronounced stepped gable silhouette define the roofline. The tower sits on low ground beside the Black Cart Water, with a short approach from the road and open farmland around; the structure is complete and in active use at this date.

Its story

The story of Cochrane Castle.

Cochrane Castle stood a mile west of Johnstone in Renfrewshire, near the Black Cart Water. The property was owned by the Cochranes from the 14th century, the family being elevated to Baron Cochrane of Dundonald in 1647 and Earl of Dundonald in 1669.

Little of the original complex survives. A late-19th-century monument incorporates a dated stone and a section claimed to be from the original tower, and a fragment of old fabric still stands on Tower Road, now labelled as Johnstone Castle.

Step inside

3 places to explore in 1592.

The record describes 3 distinct spots at Cochrane Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Tower RoadTower exterior (date stone and arms over entrance)Site overlook by the Black Cart Water

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Cochrane Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1592, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Cochrane Castle.

The families that held Cochrane Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Cochrane

    Owned by the Cochranes from the 14th century; the family became Earls of Dundonald in 1669.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Cochrane Castle.

Scotstoun Stadium, ScotlandStadiumScotstoun Stadium13 km awayIbrox Stadium, ScotlandStadiumIbrox Stadium14 km awayOvertoun Bridge, ScotlandBridgeOvertoun Bridge15 km away

Questions about Cochrane Castle

What is the history of Cochrane Castle?

Cochrane Castle has a documented history from the 14th century, when it was owned by the Cochranes. The family became Baron Cochrane of Dundonald in 1647 and Earl of Dundonald in 1669. The property was purchased by the Johnstones of Cochrane around 1760, and a commemorative monument was built in 1896 incorporating a stone dated 1592 and the Cochrane arms.

Where is Cochrane Castle?

Cochrane Castle stood about 1 mile west of Johnstone in Renfrewshire, beside the Black Cart Water. The site is near Tower Road, in open farmland around the former castle location. Renfrewshire is the administrative area associated with it.

Which family or clan held Cochrane Castle?

The Cochranes held Cochrane Castle from the 14th century. Their family became Earls of Dundonald in 1669. The property later passed to the Johnstones of Cochrane, who purchased it around 1760.

What did Cochrane Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Cochrane Castle was a compact, vertically emphasised stone tower house rising several storeys. It had roughly coursed stone masonry, dressed ashlar details, narrow vertical windows and corbie-stepped gables. Its pronounced stepped-gable silhouette stood on low ground beside the Black Cart Water.

Is Cochrane Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Cochrane Castle is now a partial ruin, with little of the original complex surviving. A late-19th-century monument incorporates a dated stone and a section claimed to come from the original tower. A fragment of old fabric still stands on Tower Road and is now labelled Johnstone Castle; the monument was built in 1896.

More castles of Scotland

Thomaston Castle, ScotlandThomaston CastleCastle Cary Castle, ScotlandCastle Cary CastleThe Bass and Little Bass, motte-and-bailey castle, ScotlandThe Bass and Little Bass, motte-and-bailey castle
All castles of Scotland · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.