Scottish Castles

Local information

Crawford Castle, Glasgow and Clyde Valley

Location: Crawford, Lanarkshire, ML12 6TP (map and directions)

Crawford Castle is a ruined castle on the north bank of the River Clyde near Crawford. The location of this castle is of particular interest, as it guards the approach into the Clyde Valley from England. Though the exact date is not known, Crawford Castle was most likely built in or around 1175, and was known originally as the Lindsay Tower as it belonged to the Lindsay family.

Crawford Castle © scotlandinoils.com

History of Crawford Castle

David Lindsay was granted the title of the Earl of Crawford in 1398, and subsequently the castle became Crawford Castle. Ownership changed hands to the Earl of Angus, Archibald Douglas, in 1488 as the barony of Crawford was transferred to him. The Earls of Angus then held the castle until it was passed to the Duke of Hamilton, then to Sir George Colebrooke in the 18th century. The castle was used as a farmhouse for a time before being abandoned late in the same century.

Crawford Castle is a now a Scheduled Ancient Monument as well as a Category B Listed Building.

Map and directions

Other castles in Glasgow & Clyde Valley