Castle Semple facts for kids
Castle Semple (also known as Castletoun) was once a grand mansion house in Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is located near the eastern end of Castle Semple Loch. This area is now part of the beautiful Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.
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History of Castle Semple
Building the Castle
The first Lord Sempill, named John Sempill, 1st Lord Sempill, built or rebuilt this important house. He changed its name from Castletoun to Castle Semple. Old maps from 1654 show it as one of the largest castles. A book from 1710 described it as a "fair lordship." It had a large courtyard and lovely gardens. Experts believe it was built around 1492 or possibly 1550. It might have replaced an older castle called Elliston Castle.
A New Owner and a New House
In 1727, the Sempill family sold the estate. It was bought by Colonel William M'Dowall. In 1735, M'Dowall decided to take down the old house. He built a brand new one in its place. This new Castle Semple was a fancy Gothic-style mansion. It became very famous for its large gardens. These gardens were the main feature of the 900 acres (360 ha) estate.
Later Years and What Remains
In 1818, the M'Dowall family sold Castle Semple to John Harvey. Sadly, the mansion burned down in 1924. Its ruins were completely removed in 1960.
Today, only a few parts of the estate remain. The old billiard room and stables wing are still standing. They have new roofs and are now used as farm buildings. You can also see impressive gate-arches. A small decorative building called a folly, known as the 'Temple', sits on a hill. It is located at the northern end of the loch.
Exploring the Estate Grounds
Hidden Treasures and Transport
A special copper cannon was found in the loch near the old peel tower. It had the Scottish coat of arms on it. This old cannon was kept at Castle Semple for many years.
The Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway once ran through the Castle Semple estate. It passed very close to the loch. Castle Semple even had its own private railway station. This station was never open to the public. It was mostly used by people who worked on the estate. Today, the old railway track is part of National Cycle Route 7.
Historic Buildings Nearby
Lord Semple also founded a collegiate church near the lake. This is a church where a group of clergy live together. A stone in the outer wall of Castle Semple Collegiate Church has the letters R. L. S. and the Sempill family's coat of arms.
East of the lake, on the south side, are the remains of Elliston Castle. This was the home of the Sempill family before 1550. The 'Temple' on Kenmuir Hill, near Castle Semple, is a historic building. It is listed as a Category B building.
