List of castles in Inverclyde Facts for Kids

Inverclyde is a beautiful area in Scotland. It has a long history, and part of that history can be seen in its old castles. Castles are strong buildings that were built many years ago, often for protection or as homes for important families. Some of these castles are still standing today, while others are just ruins or have disappeared completely. This article will tell you about the castles you can find in Inverclyde.

Ardgowan Castle: A Historic Ruin
Castle Levan: Restored and Alive
Castle Wemyss: A Lost Mansion
Duchal Castle: A Glimpse of the Past
Dunrod Castle: Vanished History
Easter Greenock Castle: Demolished Long Ago
Newark Castle: Open to Explore
Finlaystone Castle: A Living Legacy
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Ardgowan Castle: A Historic Ruin

Ardgowan Castle is an old tower house. It was built in the late 1400s. Today, it is mostly a ruin, meaning only parts of it are left standing. This castle is on private land in Inverkip. It is located within the large grounds of Ardgowan House. Sometimes, people also call it Inverkip Castle. Imagine how grand it must have looked centuries ago!

Castle Levan: Restored and Alive

Castle Levan is another tower house. It is even older than Ardgowan, dating back to the 1300s. Unlike some other castles, Castle Levan has been restored. In the 1980s, it was carefully fixed up. Now, it is a private home. You can find this interesting castle in Gourock. It's cool to think that a building from so long ago is still being used today!

Castle Wemyss: A Lost Mansion

Castle Wemyss was not a traditional old castle. It was a large historic house built around 1850. Sadly, there are no remains of Castle Wemyss today. It was located in Wemyss Bay. The house was demolished in 1984. This means it was taken down completely. It's a reminder that not all old buildings last forever.

Duchal Castle: A Glimpse of the Past

Duchal Castle is another castle that is now a ruin. Not much is known about its exact history or when it was built. However, its remains still offer a peek into the past. It shows that this area had many important strongholds long ago.

Dunrod Castle: Vanished History

Dunrod Castle is a castle that no longer exists. There are no remains of it left today. It was once located in Inverkip. Like Castle Wemyss, Dunrod Castle has completely disappeared over time. It's interesting to think about the castles that once stood but are now gone.

Easter Greenock Castle: Demolished Long Ago

Easter Greenock Castle was built in the 1500s. Its exact type is not known. Sadly, like some others, there are no remains of this castle today. It was located in Greenock. The castle was demolished in the 1830s. This means it was taken down almost 200 years ago.

Newark Castle: Open to Explore

Newark Castle is a very special castle. It is a tower house with a large mansion attached. It was built in 1478. This castle is still intact, meaning it is in very good condition. It is owned by Historic Scotland. This is a group that looks after important historical places. Newark Castle is in Port Glasgow. The best part is that it is open to the public! You can visit and explore this amazing old building.

Finlaystone Castle: A Living Legacy

Finlaystone Castle is a very old tower house. It was built around 1290, making it one of the oldest castles here. It is still functional and livable today. This castle is the historic home of two important Scottish families, Clan Cunningham and Clan MacMillan. It is located in Langbank, in Inverclyde.

Finlaystone Castle has a rich history. Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed its beautiful gardens. It was also the site of the first Protestant Reformed communion service with Reverend John Knox. Even the famous poet Robert Burns spent time here. An old description called it "a noble and great building around a court." It's amazing how much history one castle can hold!