List of castles in West Dunbartonshire facts for kids
West Dunbartonshire is a beautiful area in Scotland, full of history and amazing places to explore. One of the most exciting parts of its past is the many castles that dot the landscape. These old buildings tell stories of kings, battles, and everyday life from hundreds of years ago. Some are grand fortresses, while others are ruins that hint at what once stood there. Let's take a look at some of the fascinating castles you can find in West Dunbartonshire!
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Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle is a very strong fort built mostly in the 1600s and 1700s. It stands proudly in Dumbarton and has been an important place for a very long time. In fact, this site was once the main centre of an ancient kingdom called Kingdom of Strathclyde. Imagine how many important events happened here! Today, Dumbarton Castle is a protected historical site, and it's open for visitors to explore its ancient walls and learn about its past.
Balloch Castle
Located in Balloch, Balloch Castle is a large house built in 1809 to look like a traditional castle. Even though the main house is newer, you can still find the ruins of a much older, medieval castle nearby. This means people have been building and living in castles in this spot for many centuries!
Inchmurrin Castle
On the island of Inchmurrin, you'll find the remains of Inchmurrin Castle. This castle dates back to the 1300s and was built by the powerful Earls of Lennox. It's amazing to think about a castle on an island, showing how important location was for protection in the past.
Boturich Castle
Near the beautiful Loch Lomond, you can find Boturich Castle. This building, constructed in 1835, is another example of a large house designed to look like a castle. It was built on the site of an even older castle, proving that this spot has been a desirable location for grand homes for a long time.
Other Historic Castle Sites
West Dunbartonshire is also home to the sites of other castles that no longer stand in their full glory, but still hold historical importance.
Dunglass Castle
Dunglass Castle, located near Bowling, was built in the 1400s. Sadly, much of it was taken apart in 1735 to use its stones for other buildings. Today, you can still see parts of a later house that was built on the site.
Tullichewan Castle
Tullichewan Castle was a large house built in the 1800s to look like a castle, located in Tullichewan. Unfortunately, this castle has since been demolished.
Kilmaronock Castle
Kilmaronock Castle was a type of castle called a tower house, built in the 1400s or early 1500s. It was located in Gartocharn. In 1695, it belonged to the Earl of Glencairn. Today, only the remains of this historic tower house can be seen.
See also
- Castles in Scotland
- List of castles in Scotland
- List of listed buildings in West Dunbartonshire
