A Scottish Castle A Day

Welcome back to "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we’re venturing into the heart of Lanarkshire to explore the mysterious and storied ruins of Cadzow Castle. Set high above the Avon Water in what is now Chatelherault Country Park, these ruins whisper tales of Scotland’s royal past, its fierce battles, and the powerful Hamilton family, whose name echoes through the centuries.

Cadzow Castle stands less than a mile southeast of modern-day Hamilton, but in earlier times, this land was known as Cadzow, a name...

Welcome back to "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we’re taking a journey to the southern shore of the River Clyde, where one of Scotland’s most well-preserved castles stands—Newark Castle. Nestled in the heart of Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, this impressive structure has watched over the Clyde estuary for centuries, from its days as a tranquil trading hub to its evolution into a bustling shipbuilding center.

Newark Castle’s location was strategic—right where the estuary narrows, making navigation upriver to Glasgow difficult du...

Welcome back to "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m Colin MacDonald, and today, we’re exploring the fascinating history of Mearns Castle, a 15th-century tower house located in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, just south of Glasgow. Mearns Castle is not only a Category A listed building, but it also stands as a unique example of how Scotland’s ancient structures have evolved over time. Today, this historic tower forms part of the Maxwell Mearns Castle Church and lends its name to the nearby Mearns Castle High School.

Built under the author...

Welcome back to "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we journey to the beautiful lowlands of Renfrewshire, where we’ll explore the storied past of Barr Castle. Nestled just south of the village of Lochwinnoch, Barr Castle stands as a testament to Scotland’s rich medieval heritage. Though now a ruin, this late medieval tower house has weathered the centuries, and its history is interwoven with some of Scotland's most notable families, such as the Glens, Hamiltons, and MacDowalls. As we dig deeper, you'll discover not only t...

Welcome back to another episode of "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today, we’re traveling to the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, where the ruins of Tarbert Castle rise proudly over the village of Tarbert, a once-mighty fortress with a long and turbulent history. This medieval stronghold, though now only a shadow of its former glory, played a key role in Scotland’s history, and today we’re going to explore how it became a strategic centerpiece in the power struggles of the Western...

Welcome to "A Scottish Castle, A Day," brought to you by bagtownclans.com. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we’re venturing deep into the heart of Argyllshire to explore the fascinating, ivy-clad ruins of Ardchonnel Castle, also known as Innis Chonnell Castle, on Loch Awe. This ancient fortress, situated on the wooded island of Innis Chonnell, once served as the original stronghold of Clan Campbell, one of the most powerful clans in Scottish history. As we dive into its storied past, we’ll uncover the legacy of the Campbells and how this unassuming island came to play s...