Clan Rising

Renfrew Castle

Renfrew Castle refers to two related medieval strongholds at Renfrew, Scotland: an early motte on the King's Inch river islet and a later borough castle by the High Street; the King's Inch site was rebuilt in the 15th century as Inch Castle. Both castles were dismantled in the 18th century and no substantial fabric survives above ground today. The precise footprint of the Inch Castle lies within the modern Braehead/Elderslie development area.

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Its prime

1500

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1500

What Renfrew Castle looked like in its prime.

The site comprises two river-side castle phases: the King's Inch occupies a small islet in the River Clyde and was originally a motte with a timber keep on exposed stone foundations; in the later 15th century the islet was occupied by Inch Castle, a four-storey stone building with crow-stepped gables and a central stair-tower corbelled out above the first floor. The town castle sat at the north end of Renfrew High Street beside the Clyde ferry approach.

Its story

The story of Renfrew Castle.

The first castle at Renfrew was raised in the 12th century by Walter fitz Alan on the King's Inch, a river islet in the Clyde granted to him by King David I when Walter was made first hereditary Steward of Scotland. In the 13th century the Stewart family, his descendants, built a new residence at the north end of the old High Street of Renfrew, by the road to the Clyde ferry.

Captured by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence, Renfrew was granted by Edward I to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, in 1301, and by Edward Balliol's charter to David de Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, in 1332. When the Steward acceded as King Robert II in 1371, the castle became a royal residence.

In the later 15th century the King's Inch was granted to Sir John Ross, who built Inch Castle over the ruins of Walter's motte. The Ross family occupied it until 1732, and in 1760 it was sold to Andrew Spiers of Elderslie. Both castles were demolished in the 18th century, and nothing remains above ground at either site.

Step inside

4 places to explore in 1500.

The record describes 4 distinct spots at Renfrew Castle, including 1 interior: inside the central stair-tower. 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 along Renfrew High Street toward the town castleView across the Clyde to King's Inch islandClose exterior of Inch Castle showing crow-stepped gables and stair-towerInside the central stair-tower

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Whose castle

Clans who held Renfrew Castle.

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

  • Stewart

    Built by Walter fitz Alan, first hereditary Steward of Scotland, in the 12th century; his Stewart descendants held Renfrew until it became a royal residence under Robert II in 1371.

  • Ross

    The Ross family held Inch Castle on the King's Inch from the later 15th century until 1732.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Renfrew Castle.

Scotstoun Stadium, ScotlandStadiumScotstoun Stadium2 km awayIbrox Stadium, ScotlandStadiumIbrox Stadium5 km awayKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, ScotlandMuseumKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum6 km away

Questions about Renfrew Castle

What is the history of Renfrew Castle?

Renfrew Castle began in the 12th century as a timber castle with stone foundations on the King's Inch, a river islet in the Clyde. In the 13th century, the Stewart family built a new residence beside Renfrew High Street and the Clyde ferry. It became a royal residence when Robert II succeeded in 1371; the King's Inch site was rebuilt as Inch Castle in the later 15th century.

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

Renfrew Castle was built for defence and residence at two strategic locations: the King's Inch castle guarded against the eastward expansion of Somerled's lordship, while the later castle stood beside the road to the Clyde ferry. The 13th-century building became a royal residence under Robert II in 1371. Inch Castle was a later residence built over the ruins of the earlier motte.

Where is Renfrew Castle?

Renfrew Castle was in Renfrew, within Renfrewshire, beside the River Clyde and near the confluence of the Clyde and the River Cart. Its two phases occupied different sites: the earlier King's Inch river islet and the later castle at the north end of Renfrew High Street, by the Clyde ferry approach.

When was Renfrew Castle built?

Renfrew Castle was first raised in the 12th century, although the precise first-raised year is not recorded. A new castle was built in the 13th century at Renfrew High Street, and the King's Inch site was rebuilt as Inch Castle in the later 15th century. These are successive phases rather than a single building date.

Which family or clan held Renfrew Castle?

Renfrew Castle was held first by the Stewart family and later by the Ross family at Inch Castle. Walter fitz Alan built the first castle in the 12th century, and his Stewart descendants held Renfrew until it became a royal residence under Robert II in 1371. The Ross family held Inch Castle from the later 15th century until 1732.

What did Renfrew Castle look like in its prime?

Renfrew Castle comprised two different forms. The King's Inch castle was a motte with a timber keep on exposed stone foundations. Later, Inch Castle was a four-storey stone building with crow-stepped gables and a central stair-tower corbelled out above the first floor; the town castle stood beside the Clyde ferry approach.

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

Renfrew Castle is demolished, and no substantial fabric survives above ground. Both the town castle and Inch Castle were dismantled in the 18th century. The town site has a low mound and the name Castlehill Gardens, but excavations found no evidence of the castle beyond pottery sherds; the precise footprint of Inch Castle lies within the modern Braehead/Elderslie development area.

Who built Renfrew Castle?

Renfrew Castle was commissioned and built in its first phase by Walter fitz Alan in the 12th century. His Stewart descendants built the later 13th-century residence at the north end of Renfrew High Street. In the later 15th century, Sir John Ross built Inch Castle over the ruins of Walter's motte.

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