Clan Rising
Stanely Castle today

Scotland · Ruin

Stanely Castle

Stanely Castle is an L-shaped 15th-century tower house standing on a small island/promontory at the foot of the Gleniffer Braes, south of Paisley, Scotland. Built of large roughly squared local freestone blocks, it comprised a main rectangular tower and a square jamb extension; by the 19th century it was abandoned and after 1837 partially submerged by the reservoir. The site is now a ruin, visible only when water levels fall.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1450

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1450

What Stanely Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact L-shaped tower house of four storeys built of large, roughly squared local freestone laid in rough courses, with dressed corbels and window margins; a square jamb projects from the main rectangular block. Walls show small windows and keyhole-shaped arrow slits, and the roofline rises to a parapet and possible garret level. The building stood on a narrow marsh island/promontory at the waterline, with the lower masonry meeting the surrounding marsh or reservoir.

Its story

The story of Stanely Castle.

Stanely was the ancient seat of the Danzielstons. In the early 15th century the estate passed to the Maxwells of Calderwood, and the L-shaped tower house was probably built early in that century, on an island within a marsh at the foot of the Gleniffer Braes south of Paisley, four storeys of large, roughly squared local freestone, raised in two phases, a rectangular tower to which a square jamb was later added.

The Maxwells sold Stanely in 1629 to Lady Ross of Hawhead; the Hearth Tax return of 1691 lists eleven hearths, more than the nine the main floors account for, suggesting attic rooms. In the 18th century it passed to the Boyle Earls of Glasgow, and the 4th Earl sold it to the Paisley Water Company, who built the present reservoir.

Since 1837 the castle has been partially submerged by the reservoir and is completely inaccessible; only when the water is drained can it be seen standing on a narrow promontory connected to the south-west bank.

Step inside

10 places to explore in 1450.

The record describes 10 distinct spots at Stanely Castle, including 6 interiors: northeast spiral staircase (interior), south gable private stair to the hall, ground-floor cellars 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.

Exterior approach from the reservoirSouthwest bank / promontory approachEast entrance, exteriorParapet and rooflineNortheast spiral staircase (interior)South gable private stair to the hallGround-floor cellarsFirst-floor kitchen in the jambFirst-floor great hall and private cabinetUpper-floor bedroom with fireplace and privy

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Whose castle

Clans who held Stanely Castle.

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

  • Danzielston

    Stanely was the ancient seat of the Danzielstons, until the estate passed from them in the early 15th century.

  • Maxwell

    The Maxwells of Calderwood held Stanely from the early 15th century until they sold it in 1629.

  • Ross

    Sold to Lady Ross of Hawhead in 1629; the Rosses held it until the 18th century.

  • Boyle

    The Boyle Earls of Glasgow held Stanely in the 18th century, until the 4th Earl sold it to the Paisley Water Company.

From the archive

Stanely 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. 211. — Stanely Castle. Block Plan., Stanely Castle

Fig. 211. — Stanely Castle. Block Plan.

1889 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 3 (1889)

Public domain

Fig. 212. — Stanely Castle. View from South-East., Stanely Castle

Fig. 212. — Stanely Castle. View from South-East.

1889 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 3 (1889)

Public domain

Fig. 213. — Stanely Castle. View from South-West., Stanely Castle

Fig. 213. — Stanely Castle. View from South-West.

1889 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 3 (1889)

Public domain

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Stanely Castle.

Scotstoun Stadium, ScotlandStadiumScotstoun Stadium9 km awayIbrox Stadium, ScotlandStadiumIbrox Stadium10 km awayKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, ScotlandMuseumKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum11 km away

Questions about Stanely Castle

What is the history of Stanely Castle?

Stanely Castle’s history begins in the early 15th century, when the estate passed from the Danzielstons to the Maxwells of Calderwood. The Maxwells sold it to Lady Ross of Hawhead in 1629, and it later passed to the Boyle Earls of Glasgow. It was used as a school, abandoned by the early 19th century, and sold to the Paisley Water Company, which built the reservoir that partially submerged it from 1837.

What is inside Stanely Castle?

Stanely Castle contains a northeast spiral staircase, ground-floor cellars, and a private staircase in the south gable. Its first floor contained a kitchen in the jamb, a great hall and a private cabinet, while the upper floors contained bedrooms, fireplaces and privies. The east side had the only entrance, and the building also had a possible attic room or pair of small rooms.

Where is Stanely Castle?

Stanely Castle is at the foot of the Gleniffer Braes, south of Paisley, in Renfrewshire. It stands in the waters of Stanely Reservoir, on a narrow promontory connected to the reservoir bank in the south-west. The site is near Paisley rather than within a built-up urban setting.

When was Stanely Castle built?

Stanely Castle was probably built in the early 15th century. The site record places its prime date in 1450, within that century, and describes construction in two phases. The original rectangular tower was built first, followed by the addition of a square jamb or extension.

Which family or clan held Stanely Castle?

Stanely Castle was held by the Danzielstons, the Maxwells of Calderwood, Lady Ross of Hawhead and the Boyle Earls of Glasgow. The estate passed from the Danzielstons to the Maxwells in the early 15th century, then to Lady Ross in 1629. The Boyle Earls held it in the 18th century, until the 4th Earl sold it to the Paisley Water Company.

What did Stanely Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Stanely Castle was a compact, four-storey L-shaped tower house built from large, roughly squared local freestone blocks laid in rough courses. A square jamb projected from the main rectangular tower. Dressed corbels and window margins contrasted with small windows and keyhole-shaped arrow slits, while the roofline rose to a parapet and possible garret level.

Is Stanely Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Stanely Castle is now a ruin. It has survived as a partially submerged tower house since 1837, when the Paisley Water Company’s reservoir covered part of the site. The masonry was built from local freestone and shows very little sign of weathering, but the castle is completely inaccessible and can be seen only when the water is drained.

Can you visit Stanely Castle?

Stanely Castle cannot be visited because it is completely inaccessible. It is partially submerged in Stanely Reservoir and can be seen only when the water is drained, when it stands on a narrow promontory connected to the south-west reservoir bank.

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