Clan Rising
Crookston Castle today

Scotland · Partial ruin

Crookston Castle

Crookston Castle is a medieval stone castle on a natural hill in the Pollok area of Glasgow, overlooking the Levern Water near its confluence with the White Cart Water. The rectangular main block has a tower at each corner in an unusual irregular 'X-plan'; only the north-east tower survives to its former height while other towers and western ranges were once destroyed and later repaired. The site is a scheduled monument open to the public.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1180

Its prime

1545

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1545

What Crookston Castle looked like in its prime.

Set atop a natural hill surrounded by an early circular ring ditch, the castle is a rectangular stone block roughly 19 by 12 metres with a tower at each corner forming an irregular X-plan. Walls are very thick, with the north-east tower rising to full height (about 6 m square) and the south-east tower retaining a basement; the entrance is on the north side beside the north-east tower with a portcullis. The hall at first-floor level is vaulted and tall, and a barrel-vaulted basement contains a well and slit windows.

Its story

The story of Crookston Castle.

Origins: The de Crocs and the Stewarts of Darnley, 12th century–c.1400

The castle sits within a defensive ring ditch dating to the twelfth century, when Sir Robert de Croc, who gave his name to the village of Crookston, built a timber and earth castle here; evidence of an even earlier fortification on the same site has also been found. Remains of a chapel de Croc founded in 1180 have been uncovered on the hill.

The lands passed by purchase to Sir Alan Stewart in 1330 and then to Sir John Stewart of Darnley in 1361. The Darnley Stewarts replaced the earlier earth-and-timber castle with the present stone structure around 1400.

The Lennox Rebellion and Siege, 1489–1544

In 1489 the Stewart Earl of Lennox rebelled against James IV, who brought the cannon Mons Meg from Edinburgh and bombarded the castle, virtually destroying its western end and ensuring a quick surrender.

On 3 April 1544 the castle was besieged and taken by the Earl of Arran and Cardinal Beaton while the Earl of Lennox was away defending Glasgow Castle. Crookston was by then regarded as the principal house of the earls of Lennox; Regent Arran installed five gunners there the following month.

Lord Darnley and the Lennox Inheritance, to 1572

Crookston was later included in the dower lands of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, whose son Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, became the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. It may have been at Crookston, under a yew tree on the hill, that the couple were betrothed. In 1572 the castle was granted to another Stewart, Charles, Earl of Lennox.

From the Dukes of Montrose to the Maxwells of Pollok, 1703–1931

The Duke of Lennox sold Crookston to the Duke of Montrose in 1703, and it remained the property of the Montrose dukes until 1757, when William Graham, 2nd Duke of Montrose, sold it to the Maxwells of Pollok. After years of abandonment, the Maxwells partially restored the castle in 1847 to mark Queen Victoria's visit to Glasgow.

In 1931 Sir John Maxwell Stirling-Maxwell, a founder member and first vice-president of the National Trust for Scotland, presented Crookston to the Trust — its first property.

Wartime Watch Tower and Present Custody

The yew tree associated with Darnley's betrothal was felled in 1816; a model of the castle carved from its wood is now on display in Pollok House. During the Second World War the surviving north-east tower served as an aircraft watch tower.

Crookston has been a scheduled monument since 1920. Historic Environment Scotland maintains the castle today, and it is open to the public — the only medieval castle left in Glasgow, and the city's second-oldest building after Glasgow Cathedral. Its main block, with a tower at each corner forming an irregular X-plan otherwise seen at Hermitage Castle, survives; only the north-east tower still stands to its former height.

Step inside

11 places to explore in 1545.

The record describes 11 distinct spots at Crookston Castle, including 6 interiors: barrel-vaulted basement, vaulted first-floor hall, mural stair and entrance passage and more. 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 the Levern WaterRing ditch and outer earthworksNorth entrance and gate passageBarrel-vaulted basementVaulted first-floor hallMural stair and entrance passageSouth-east turnpike stairNorth-east tower basement (prison)Top of the north-east tower and roof parapetSouth-east tower basementSite of the de Croc chapel remains

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Recreate Crookston Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1545, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Crookston Castle.

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

  • Stewart

    Built by the Stewarts of Darnley c. 1400; principal house of the Stewart Earls of Lennox until sold in 1703.

  • Graham

    Held by the Graham Dukes of Montrose, 1703–1757.

  • Maxwell

    Held by the Maxwells of Pollok from 1757.

From the archive

Crookston Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

Fig. 455. — Crookston Castle. Plan of Site., Crookston Castle

Fig. 455. — Crookston Castle. Plan of Site.

1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)

Public domain

Fig. 456B. — Crookston Castle. Springing of End Rib., Crookston Castle

Fig. 456B. — Crookston Castle. Springing of End Rib.

1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)

Public domain

Fig. 457. — Crookston Castle. Vault of Basement Floor., Crookston Castle

Fig. 457. — Crookston Castle. Vault of Basement Floor.

1887 · MacGibbon & Ross, Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland, vol. 1 (1887)

Public domain

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Crookston Castle.

Ibrox Stadium, ScotlandStadiumIbrox Stadium4 km awayScotstoun Stadium, ScotlandStadiumScotstoun Stadium5 km awayKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, ScotlandMuseumKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum5 km away

Questions about Crookston Castle

What is the history of Crookston Castle?

Crookston Castle began as a 12th-century fortified site and was replaced by the present stone castle around 1400. The Stewarts of Darnley made it their principal house among the Stewart earls of Lennox. It was besieged and taken in 1544, then extensively repaired, before passing from the Lennox line to the Dukes of Montrose and later the Maxwells of Pollok.

What is inside Crookston Castle?

Inside Crookston Castle are a barrel-vaulted basement with a well and slit windows, and a vaulted first-floor hall rising to 8.3 metres. A mural stair leads from the entrance passage, while a turnpike stair served the upper levels. The north-east tower basement contains a prison, and the south-east tower retains its basement.

Why was Crookston Castle built, and what was it used for?

Crookston Castle was raised as a fortified stronghold and later served as the principal house of the earls of Lennox. Its ring ditch and earthworks formed part of its defences, while the stone castle provided a hall and rooms within a towered residence. It was also used as a military position during the 1544 siege, when five gunners were installed there.

Where is Crookston Castle?

Crookston Castle is in the Pollok area of Glasgow, overlooking the Levern Water near its confluence with the White Cart Water. It stands on a natural hill about five miles south-west of Glasgow city centre. The surrounding area is part of Glasgow City.

When was Crookston Castle built?

The site of Crookston Castle dates from the 12th century, while the present stone castle was built around 1400. Earthworks and a ring ditch were constructed in the 12th century, and remains of a chapel founded in 1180 have been uncovered. The first-raised date given for the site is 1180.

Was Crookston Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Crookston Castle was attacked in 1489 and 1544. In 1489, James IV brought the cannon Mons Meg from Edinburgh and bombarded it, virtually destroying its western end and forcing a quick surrender. On 3 April 1544, the Earl of Arran and Cardinal Beaton besieged and took the castle while the Earl of Lennox was defending Glasgow Castle.

Which family or clan held Crookston Castle?

The Stewart family held Crookston Castle from its rebuilding around 1400 until the Duke of Lennox sold it in 1703. The Graham Dukes of Montrose held it from 1703 to 1757. The Maxwells of Pollok then held it from 1757.

What did Crookston Castle look like in its prime?

Crookston Castle was a rectangular stone block about 19 by 12 metres, with a tower at each corner forming an irregular X-plan. Its walls were very thick, reaching up to 3.7 metres, and the north-east tower was about 6 metres square. The north entrance had a portcullis, and the castle stood within a circular ring ditch on a natural hill.

Is Crookston Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Crookston Castle is a partial ruin, but its rectangular main block and north-east tower survive. The north-east tower stands to its former height, while the south-east tower retains its basement. The two western towers were destroyed in the 15th century, and the top of the north-east tower was rebuilt in the 19th century.

Who built Crookston Castle?

The earliest castle on the site was commissioned by Robert Croc, while the present stone structure was built by the Stewarts of Darnley around 1400. Robert Croc founded a chapel on the hill in 1180, and the Stewarts replaced the earlier castle with the surviving stone structure.

Can you visit Crookston Castle?

Crookston Castle is open to the public. It is a scheduled monument, and its maintenance is the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland. The castle is a ruined medieval building rather than a private residence.

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