Strathaven Castle

Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Strathaven Castle is located in the centre of the small town of Strathaven. The origins of the castle are obscure, but it is believed to have been built around 1350 by the Bairds, on a bend of the Powmillon Burn. Later the castle passed to the Sinclairs and then to the Earls of Douglas. After the suppression of the Earls of Douglas by James II in 1455, the castle was sacked and slighted. Little or nothing of the early castle remains.

In 1457 Strathaven was granted to Sir Andrew Stewart, an illegitimate grandson of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany. Stewart, who later became Lord Avondale, either rebuilt the earlier castle, or built a new castle on the same site. In 1534 it passed to Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, who expanded the buildings.

It changed hands one last time in 1611, when the castle was sold to James, Marquis of Hamilton. The last occupant was Anne, Duchess of Hamilton (1632–1716), whose main residence was Hamilton Palace. The castle was abandoned in 1717.

Architecture

Strathaven Castle is built on a rocky, partly artificial mound, and was defended to the east, south and west by the steep banks of the Powmillon Burn. A barmkin surrounded the top of the mound, traces of which remain to the west of the castle.

The castle comprised a three-storey rectangular block with a four-storey round tower at the north-west corner, and a small projecting wing at the south-east. Of this, the north wall and the tower remain almost complete, with fragments of the other walls. Internally, the remains of a collapsed basement vault can be seen.

Modern concrete infill has obscured much of the original detail, although a remnant of 15th-century-style corbelling remains visible. The round tower has several wide gunloops, and was probably added in the 16th century, and incorporates an improbably low entrance.

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Details

Founded: c. 1350
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

3.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

sam elliot (4 months ago)
Wasn't actually at the castle just pasted on the bus going back to Hamilton. We visited the park and the boating lake . It was raining so to the boats weren't out
Sarah Rowan (17 months ago)
They closed the nice boardwalk path around it which is a shame. The castle is more like rubble but it is cute nonetheless.
eileen cunningham (6 years ago)
Strathaven is a lovely place and the castle was nice to visit. The place my son and I enjoyed more was the spectacle "E" falls and the old mill. The walk was so peaceful and the falls were impressive.
Mark Drinkwater (6 years ago)
I love visiting castles so stopped on the way through to somewhere else. There's not much there but it's free and if you are passing through you might as well visit.
Andrew Wright (7 years ago)
It only looks like a castle from the road. From the back it's poured concrete.
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