📌 Crossford, South Lanarkshire
★★★
🛠️ Site closed for conservation works (checked July 2025)
Set on a rocky bluff above the Lower Nethan Gorge in Clydesdale, Craignethan is a surprisingly little-visited castle under the care of Historic Environment Scotland – but one that’s well worth exploring. Built around 1530 by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, there’s lots to see inside the extensive block of the main tower, as well as several other buildings around the edges of two courtyards. These are separated by a deep ditch, within which lies the castle’s greatest surprise: an unusual caponier (or stone-vaulted shooting gallery) as another barrier to attackers.
🌍 Location
📌 Off minor road 2 mi west of Crossford
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 815464
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.696080,-3.885016
🚌 Bus to Crossford (1 mi via Lower Nethan Gorge wildlife reserve)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily, April to September
🎫 £8.50 adult / £5 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members – discount for booking online
