Geophysical surveys at Crookston Castle

Sum awarded: £7,307

Situated south-west of Glasgow city centre, Crookston Castle has a long history. It is thought to have been established in the 12th century and owned by Robert de Croc. It was rebuilt in stone in about 1400. Crookston Castle was besieged by James IV in 1489 after the Earl of Lennox rebelled, and the famous cannon ‘Mons Meg’ was brought to batter the walls. The castle may have been slighted (deliberately destroyed) afterwards.

The work funded by the Trust will involve geophysical surveys. The project is instigated by Friends of Crookston Castle, with Dr Nick Hannon of Historic Environment Scotland overseeing the geophysical survey carried out by a team of volunteers. The survey will reinvestigate parts of the castle surveyed in 1999 using modern techniques and equipment, and will seek to better understand the development of the site, its medieval form and layout, and establish whether activity before the castle can be identified.

At the same time, the Village Storytelling Centre are providing matched funding to carry out an oral history project at Crookston Castle, ensuring the castle is embedded in the community.