Clan Rising
Cumbernauld Castle today

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.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1550

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 1550

What Cumbernauld Castle looked like 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 explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Wooded approach to the motteSummit of the motte with L‑plan towerGatehouse and outer approachCobbled inner courtyardGreat Hall interiorTower great chamber and spiral stairLower service yard and corbelled wallWell‑house and descending steps to cellarSurviving original wall (later stables area)

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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.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Cumbernauld Castle.

Antonine Wall, ScotlandAncient siteAntonine Wall6 km awayCeltic Park, ScotlandStadiumCeltic Park19 km awayGlasgow Cathedral, ScotlandCathedralGlasgow Cathedral20 km away

Questions about Cumbernauld Castle

What is the history of Cumbernauld Castle?

Cumbernauld Castle has Comyn and Fleming origins, with the Flemings building a larger second castle after 1306. It expanded as the family’s power grew, including the addition of a great hall. The castle was sacked in 1570, besieged and largely destroyed by General Monck in 1651, and later burned by dragoons in 1746 after being converted to stables.

What is inside Cumbernauld Castle?

Inside Cumbernauld Castle, the excavated remains include a cobbled courtyard, a well-house reached by steps, a prison and cellars. The former castle also had a great hall, while the tower contained a great chamber and a spiral stair. These spaces survive as archaeological remains rather than as a complete standing interior.

When was Cumbernauld Castle built?

The earliest construction date of Cumbernauld Castle is not recorded, but the Flemings constructed the second castle at the end of the 14th century. It was enlarged in later periods as the family’s power grew, including with stone structures such as a great hall. A charter issued at Cumbernauld Castle is dated 3 November 1421.

Was Cumbernauld Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Cumbernauld Castle was attacked several times and ultimately fell into ruin. Regent Lennox sacked it in September 1570; General Monck besieged and largely destroyed it in 1651; and a party of Highlanders reportedly burned the old castle in 1715. After it was converted to stables, dragoons burned it again in 1746.

Which family or clan held Cumbernauld Castle?

The Comyn family held the first Cumbernauld Castle until John “the Red” Comyn was killed by Robert the Bruce in 1306. The Flemings were then granted the site, built the second, larger castle and held it as Lords Fleming through the 16th century.

What did Cumbernauld Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Cumbernauld Castle comprised a tall L-plan stone tower with a projecting wing and smaller stair-turret, attached to a long masonry great hall. Low curtain walls enclosed a cobbled courtyard, with service buildings against a corbelled retaining wall. A stone gate pierced the enclosure, and a stone well-house below the yard was reached by steps.

Is Cumbernauld Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Cumbernauld Castle is a partial ruin, with its former footprint surviving through earthworks, archaeological remains and reused masonry. The motte remains in Cumbernauld House Park, while stones from the second castle are incorporated into Cumbernauld House. One original wall can still be seen in the allotment area, and excavated features have been filled back in.

Where is Cumbernauld Castle?

Cumbernauld Castle is in North Lanarkshire, at Cumbernauld House in Cumbernauld House Park. The surviving motte lies north-east of Cumbernauld House, approximately 360 metres away. The former castle site is associated with the town of Cumbernauld rather than standing as a complete castle building.

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