Scotland · Partial ruin
Cumbernauld Castle
Cumbernauld Castle was a medieval castle sited where Cumbernauld House now stands; its earthwork motte still survives in Cumbernauld House Park and many of its stones were re-used in the later house. Archaeological excavations have revealed courtyard paving, a well-house, a prison and cellars that mark the footprint of the former castle.
Its prime
1550
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1550
The shape it held in its prime.
Sited on a raised earthen motte within wooded parkland, the castle in its prime comprised a tall L‑plan stone tower with a projecting wing and a smaller stair-turret, attached to a long masonry great hall and enclosed by low curtain walls around a cobbled courtyard. Service buildings clustered on the lower side against a retaining wall showing a long row of corbels for lean‑to roofs. A stone gate pierced the outer enclosure; a stone well-house lay below reached by steps into the yard.
Its story
The story of Cumbernauld Castle.
The first castle at Cumbernauld belonged to the Comyn family; after Robert the Bruce killed John "the Red" Comyn in Greyfriars kirk in 1306, it was granted to the Flemings, who built a second, larger castle on the site, enlarged as the family's power grew with stone structures such as a great hall for festive occasions.
James IV wooed Margaret Drummond at Cumbernauld, where her sister was married to Lord Fleming. In March 1544, during the Rough Wooing, an English messenger who talked his way through the gates recorded Lord Fleming's answer: "since thou art here the highest stone shall be the lowest ere thou shalt take any skaith" — he would rather see his house destroyed than let harm come to a guest.
Mary Fleming and her brother James, Lord Fleming, went into exile with Mary, Queen of Scots in France in 1548, and in 1558 Lord Fleming was among the Scottish commissioners arranging her marriage to the Dauphin; during the Marian Civil War John Fleming, 5th Lord Fleming, held Dumbarton Castle in her name. The motte survives in Cumbernauld House Park, stones of the second castle are built into the present house, and excavation has revealed courtyard paving, a well-house, a prison and cellars.
Step inside
9 places to explore in 1550.
The record describes 9 distinct spots at Cumbernauld Castle — including 3 interiors: great hall interior, tower great chamber and spiral stair, well‑house and descending steps to cellar. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Cumbernauld Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1550 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Cumbernauld Castle.
The families that held Cumbernauld Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Comyn
The first castle was owned by the Comyn family, until John "the Red" Comyn was killed by Robert the Bruce in 1306.
Fleming
Granted to the Flemings after 1306; they built the second, larger castle and held it as Lords Fleming through the 16th century.
