Cadzow Castle facts for kids
Cadzow Castle is an old castle that is now in ruins. It was built between 1500 and 1550. You can find it about one mile south-east of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The town of Hamilton was once called Cadzow or Cadyou. It was renamed in 1455 to honor James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton.
The castle sits high above a deep gorge. This gorge overlooks the Avon Water river. Today, the castle is part of Chatelherault Country Park. This area used to be the hunting and fun grounds for the Duke of Hamilton's estate, Hamilton Palace. It was known as Hamilton High Parks. Cadzow Castle is a protected historical site, called a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
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History of Cadzow Castle
The First Castle at Cadzow
It is believed that the ancient kings of Strathclyde had a hunting lodge here. This was before their kingdom joined Scotland in the 1100s. The first Cadzow Castle was likely built in the 12th century. It was an occasional home for King David I (1124–1153). Royal papers from his time were signed here as early as 1139.
Later kings like Alexander II, Alexander III, and Robert the Bruce also used the castle. They probably used it mainly for hunting. This is because it was very close to large forests. These forests were part of the bigger royal forest of the Clyde Valley.
Who Owned Cadzow Castle?
The land of Cadzow was divided in 1222. Cadzow Castle then went to the Comyn family. Later, their lands were taken away because they supported John Balliol. So, Robert the Bruce gave the estate to Walter FitzGilbert de Hambeldon in the early 1300s.
FitzGilbert became the first Baron of Cadzow. He is the ancestor of the Dukes of Hamilton. He built another fort, possibly a motte (a type of castle mound) near the town. This mound can still be seen today.
The Castle We See Today
The castle ruins you see now were built around 1530. Sir James Hamilton of Finnart built it. He also built Craignethan Castle nearby. James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran was held here in April 1566. He had been accused of plotting against Mary, Queen of Scots.
After escaping from Loch Leven Castle in 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at Cadzow. Because the Hamiltons supported Mary, the castle was destroyed. This happened in the late 1500s by forces loyal to James VI. It was later partly rebuilt in the 1700s. This was done to make it look like an old ruin, called a folly, in the Duke's park.
Cadzow Castle Today
Today, Historic Environment Scotland owns and looks after the site. You cannot go inside the ruins. This is because the castle is not safe and is held up by scaffolding. However, you can walk on paths in the country park to see the ruins from a distance.
The Duke's Bridge gives the best view of the castle. It crosses high over the Avon Gorge. Between 2000 and 2003, archaeologists dug at the castle. They found no proof of an early medieval fort or a large settlement there.
