Renfrew Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Renfrew Castle |
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| Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland | |
 Renfrew Castle
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| Coordinates | 55°52′48″N 4°23′10″W / 55.880°N 4.386°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Demolished |
| Site history | |
| Built | 12th century |
| Built by | Walter fitz Alan, Steward of Scotland |
| In use | Until 16th or 17th century |
Renfrew Castle was once a strong building in the Scottish town of Renfrew. It stood close to where the River Clyde and the River Cart meet. The first castle was built in the 1100s by Walter fitz Alan, Steward of Scotland, on a river island called the King's Inch. Later, in the 1200s, a new castle was built by the road to the Clyde ferry. This second castle became a royal home under King Robert II. In the 1400s, the King's Inch site got a new castle called Inch Castle, built by Sir John Ross. Sadly, both castles were taken down in the 1700s, and today, you can't see any parts of them above ground.
Contents
The Story of Renfrew Castles
The First Castle: King's Inch
The King's Inch used to be an island in the River Clyde. In the mid-1100s, King David I gave this land to Walter fitz Alan. Walter also became the first person to hold the title of Steward of Scotland, which was passed down in his family.
The first castle was made of wood with stone foundations. It might have been a "motte" castle, which means it had a large earth mound with a tower on top. This castle was built in a very important spot. It helped stop Somerled, a powerful lord from Argyll and the Isles, from expanding his lands eastward.
Renfrew Castle: A Royal Home
In the 1200s, the Stewart family, who were descendants of Walter fitz Alan, built a new home. This castle was at the north end of the old High Street in Renfrew. Many believe James, the 5th High Steward, who died in 1309, built it.
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, English forces captured this castle. In 1301, King Edward I of England gave Renfrew to Henry de Lacy. Later, in 1310, King Edward II of England ordered the castle and town to be destroyed. This happened after he spent just one night there.
In 1332, Edward Balliol gave Renfrew to David de Strathbogie. But the Stewarts, with help from Sir Colin Campbell, later took back Renfrew Castle.
It is said that Robert, the 7th High Steward, was born at Renfrew Castle. When he became King Robert II in 1371, the castle became a royal residence. Many kings visited, including James IV, who stayed there when he went to Paisley Abbey.
In the 1700s, the castle was taken apart. Its stones were used to build a soap factory. Later, Castlehill House was built there, but it was also torn down. Today, the area is a playground with modern buildings. You can still see the name Castlehill Gardens and a small mound. Digs in 1997 found no castle remains, only old pottery pieces from the 1100s to 1300s.
Inch Castle: The Second Island Fortress
Later in the 1400s, the King's Inch island was given to Sir John Ross. He built a new castle over the old ruins of Walter's motte. This new building was called Inch Castle. The Ross family lived there until 1732.
In 1760, the castle was sold to Andrew Spiers. Spiers tore down Inch Castle and built Elderslie House in 1777. Elderslie House was also demolished in 1924. The rebuilt Inch Castle had four stories and special stepped gables on the roof. It also had a central stair-tower that stuck out from the building above the first floor.
The King's Inch is no longer an island; it's now part of the south bank of the Clyde. In the 1900s, Braehead Power Station was built over this area. That power station has also been taken down. The exact spot of Inch Castle is now hard to find. It is somewhere within the Braehead shopping and entertainment area. In 2005, investigations found the foundations of Elderslie House. They also found other features that might be from the 1400s castle.
