Pre 1300's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030422083714/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1300s.htm
The archaeological evidence seems, at the very least, to travel across the Cathkin Braes during the Iron Age and to a possible British Settlement in the area during Roman times.
Other sources point to a Druid influence within the area. This is thought to have drawn St Cedoc, who had been sent from Wales in 528 AD to preach in SouthWest Scotland, to found a Christian community. This activity would have coincided with St Mungo's missionary work in the Glasgow area.
Thus from the spread of Christianity came the origins of Carmunnock Parish. Castlemilk today has its own parishes but, until 1939, the land it stands on came under Carmunnock Parish. The connection with the spread of Christianity is reflected in the origins of the name, Carmunnock. Originally spelt as Carmannock or Cormanoc, it has been suggested that it's origins lie in the Gaelic words 'caer mynock' meaning 'the monk's fort'.
The church history of the area from these early times is closely linked with the patterns of land ownership, patronage and power. In 1186 a Manor stood near the present village of Carmunnock. The Laird of the manor was Anselm, succeeded on his death by his son Henry Henricus de Cormanoc. On Henry's death in 1189 his lands were bequeathed to the Priory of Paisley which became Paisley Abbey in 1245. The Abbot was to send monks to minister as vicars in the tiny community of Cormanoc until the Reformation of the churches in 1560. It seems that the family of the 'Red Comyn', the powerful Douglas family, were rulers of Carmanoc's manor until they had to forfeit their lands in 1450.
1300's
Robert the Bruce died in 1329, and the crown of Scotland fell to his son, the then five-year-old David. David was already in an arranged marriage with Joanna, the sister of King Edward III, in an attempt to bring Scotland and England together in peace. However, the Bruce's death led to infighting within Scotland as Edward Balliol (son of former Scottish king John Balliol, whom Robert the Bruce had fought for) claimed he had a right to the throne. During the 1330s Balliol's forces overran southern Scotland - they routed the Scottish army at the battle of Dopplin Moor (near Perth) in 1332, and again the following year at Halidon Hill (near Berwick). Young David was held safe in Dumbarton Castle until it was considered too dangerous for him, and he was shipped off to Scotland's old friend against the English, France. King Philip IV of France put him up in the regal surroundings of the Chateau Gaillard on the river Seine.
David returned to Scotland in 1341 and, at the age of 17, attempted to win over the kingdom. He began by trying to help the French against Edward III, who had been at war with each other since 1337. He saw his chance when the English took on the French at the battle of Crecy. The following battle of Neville's Cross (near Durham) in 1346 was a total disaster for the Scots - David was badly wounded and taken prisoner, and most of his nobles were captured or killed too. During the battle David's nephew Robert the Stewart (who, according to the documents signed by The Bruce was the legitimate successor as Scottish king) is said to have fled along with his troops. David was locked up in the Tower of London, and Robert took over as guardian up north. Robert was not all that keen on paying any ransom to get David back, since as long as David was out of the picture Robert was in line for the throne of Scotland. Instead of agreeing to any ransom, Robert proposed that that Edward III allow one of his sons to become the next Scottish king if David died childless. However, the Scots parliament wouldn't agree to this so, in 1357, David was released for 100,000 merks (equivalent to 7 years royal income - a heavy price). Ironically, David died childless after all, and so the crown passed to Robert the Stewart, who became Robert II of Scotland.
Castlemilk was originally known as Cassilton of Carmunnock (or Castletoun or various other spellings). In 1398 Sir William Stuart was given this as one of the sureties on Scotland's part for the preservation of the peace on the Western marches between Scotland and England. The Stuart family were related to the Scottish Royal families through Walter, the son to the 'High Steward of Robert Bruce the 2nd', who became King of Scotland in 1371 after marrying Marjory, daughter of Robert the Bruce. Walter was the 7th person in his family to hold the office of Steward (the office of Steward and the name Stewart or Stuart eventually merged). This connection was further strengthened when Mary Queen of Scots married her second husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, brother of the last Earl of Lennox. Mary regarded the Stuarts of Cassilton as her close kinsfolk.
1400's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030215195309/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1400s.htm
In 1429 the Stewart brothers William and John died in the battle of Orleans, France. A huge ornamental fireplace is carved in their honour, and to commemorate the battle. It depicts scenes from the siege, as well as incorporating carvings of the Lennox coat-of-arms to mark the connection with the Darnley Stuarts and Mary Queen of Scots. It would eventually be placed in Castlemilk house. The Fireplace stood in the main hallway and must have been an awesome sight to behold. It stands over 15 feet tall, and approximately 12 feet wide. The bottom half has two pillars supporting the 'mantle'. On top of the pillars you can see the St Andrew's Cross, and on the other is a crown. Intricate carvings of foliage and gargoyles surround these. The upper half consists of three carved battle scenes, the centre piece being the largest. These depict the battle of Orleans (Feb 1429), in which two brothers of the Stewart family died - Sir William and Sir John Stewart. William Stewart died childless, but John Stewart left four sons (David, Archibald, Matthew and Walter), and one daughter (Elizabeth).
In 1450 the lands of Carmunnock were presented by James II to the first Lord Hamilton. The Hamiltons were to be the principal landlords of Carmunnock until around 1710. Although it took a while for the Stuarts to built up their influence over Carmunnock, their connection with Cassiltoun itself is very much older. Indeed, in the local histories of the area, some confusion exists over the date of their arrival. In the Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry we are told that;
"From the family muniments now carefully compiled and preserved, it appears that towards the close of the 13th century, Matthew Stuart of Castlemilk (for at this time the property in Dumfriesshire of the same name was owned by this family), Cassiltown, and Fynnart Stewart, granted an annuity from his lands in favour of a convent raised in Glasgow by the Black Friars in 1270".
Frank Worsdall, however, refers to the family as acquiring the estate of Fynnart (now the burgh of Gourock) by Royal charter in 1455 when the vast Douglas estates were forfeited. Worsdall continues;
"Soon afterwards Matthew Stewart apparently feued the 20 merkland of Castleton of Carmunnock from the Hamilton family, and erected the rectangular tower which forms the oldest portion of the house (Castlemilk House).
So, by 1460 we have Sir Matthew Stewart (son of John) inheriting the lands of Dumfries & Fynnart, and constructing a tower - Casseltoun Tower, which was to become known as Castlemilk House after the Castle Milk which exists in Dumfries.
1500's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030422084503/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1500s.htm
Since 1579, the Stuart family secured their lands in Scotland, and indeed their position, through well-established connections of other gentry.
In front of Castle milk House stood Queen Mary's tree, this Holly tree was planted during a visit to the tower and must have taken place between her return to Scotland in 1561 and her unfortunate imprisonment in 1567.
In May of 1568, Mary Queen of Scots came to Cassiltoun Tower to visit her 'close kinsfolk'. This was just before the Battle of Langside, she was reported to have stayed there on the eve of battle. Indeed, inside the most recent of the Castles which stood there, there was a room called 'Queen Mary's room', and in the surrounding lands there is reference to Queen Mary's cairn, Queen Mary's seat (at the trig point on Cathkin Braes), and Queen Mary's well, located somewhere behind Mitchell Hill flats.
It seems certain that Mary lodged overnight before her battle with her kinsfolk, the Stuarts of Cassiltoun. The myths tend to paint a picture of a Queen relaxed and ready to appreciate her surroundings - a far more desperate reality is likely. Defeated at Langside only a few days after escaping captivity at Lochleven, Mary's own words to her uncle in France after her headlong flight exude exhaustion and weariness;
"I have endured injuries, calamities, imprisonment, famine, cold, heat, flight not knowing whither, 92 miles across country without stopping or alighting, and then I have had to sleep upon the ground and drink sour milk, and eat oatmeal without bread, and have been three nights like the owls…"
Queen Mary's troops did not fair well in this battle and she fled. Cassiltoun Tower, apparently, came under attack and received serious damage for their part in aiding her. However, this could not be confirmed. Despite this a thorn tree was planted in her honour in the grounds - Queen Mary's Thorn (however, according to another story, Mary planted the thorn herself on an earlier visit to her relatives).
When the Stuarts first moved to the area (in 1450), it was known as Cassiltoun of Carmunnock. When they decided to make this area their 'chief residence', just over 100 years later in 1579, they moved north and renamed the area Castlemilk. The first building on this site was named Cassiltoun Tower and stood where the latest building remains are.
1600's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030422085356/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1600s.htm
Lands came into the Stuart family holdings by marriage and, in some cases, through debt. One such case of the latter was in 1650, when Sir James Stuart of Castlemilk had purchased a large number of debts owed by the Hamilton family of Kenbridge, and by 1662 he foreclosed on them, this purchase included Torrance House (which still stands today) and surrounding lands.
If you were to visit Torrance House today you can still see the Stuart family crest above the rear door of the visitors centre. This crest includes a crescent moon, which indicated that he was 'second son'. Other lands came to the family through marriage, such as Hyndland, Cowcaddens, Barmulloch and Balornock, which formed part of the Milton estate. The estate of Milton came into their holdings through marriage and obliged every future holder of the estate to adopt the name of Crawfurd (1706 onwards). This, coupled with the intermarriage with the Stirlings of Kier, and the failure of the male Stuart line in 1797, explains the present family name - Crawfurd Stirling Stuart.
Carmunnock did not escape the religious turbulence of the years following Queen Mary's flight to, and later imprisonment in, England. While Carmunnock church remained with the established church, several of its ministers fought for the National Covenant. The Rev James Mowbrae was dismissed in 1639; his successor Rev Matthew McKail was transferred to Bothwell in 1649, while Rev Andrew Morton was also dismissed for non-conformity in 1662. Rev Morton was to return in 1687 upon the decline of the rule of the Bishops. According to Mrs Herbert "The villagers, joyfully taking the opportunity, forcibly threw the unpopular Rev Boyd out of the manse!"
1700's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030422084839/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1700s.htm
Over this period the Stuarts added to their estate. According to some sources, the Stuarts sold their Dumfriesshire estate of Castlemilk to Lord Maxwell in 1579, and from that date the Lanarkshire property of Cassiltoun became known as Castlemilk. Other sources give the date of this development as 1759. Certainly, in writing his Statistical Account of the parish in 1796, the Rev Adam Forman seemed comfortable in his use of the term Castlemilk for the former estate of Cassiltoun.
The local church is located in the small, picturesque village of Carmunnock, about three miles from Castlemilk House, and has served the local communities for many years. It was rebuilt in 1767. The Stuarts of Castlemilk were one of its 'Heritors', many years ago it was the Heritors responsibility to finance the church, and pay a 'stipend' to the clergyman of the time.
Inside Carmunnock church is the Castlemilk gallery. This is where the Stuart family would sit during the long services. Behind the Castlemilk gallery is the sitting room were the family would keep warm and have rests between the services.
The Laird's daughter, Lady Helen, was the first (and last) of the Stirling Stuarts to get married in the small church, which was quite an occasion for the villagers. Also located in the church grounds is the family 'vault', where many of the Stuart family ancestors (and even the last Laird himself) are laid to rest.
Other improvements to Castlemilk house include the stables. Built in 1794, the stables were an essential addition to the Stuart Estate. Due to the expansion of their lands they not only housed the array of carriages the family required, but also horses and storage rooms. Stable personnel were housed in the surrounding cottages. The stables are listed in Historic Scotland's statutory list as "a category B building with a central tower in three stages, with an octagonal top stage originally with spire". Later the tower above the main archway was topped by a dome and had two clocks mounted on it. The grounds were also landscaped and the 'Pond' laid out.
In 1796 Rev Adam Forman wrote in the Old Statistical Account of Carmunnock village that "the state of population, as far as can be traced back by sessional record, appears for the past 150 years to have been nearly the same - the present population ... 570, the population in 1755 ... 471".
Some variety of occupation was to be found in the village too; "In the parish, there are 15 weavers, 8 masons who at the same time are employed as wrights; these occupations being in this place considered connected. There are 6 shoemakers, 2 tailors, 10 day-labourers, 3 millers, 1 carrier, 1 cooper, 3 gardeners, 1 smith, 36 men-servants, 42 women-servants..."
In 1798 Sir Andrew Stuart of Castlemilk and Torrance publishes a family history which helps prove the Stuarts family claim to the Scottish throne (History of the Genealogy of the Stewarts).
1800's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030215200242/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1800s.htm
In 1833, main gateways into the estate were established with gatehouses and the 'main bridge' was rebuilt in the style of David Hamilton.
In 1839 during cultivation of the lands, the Reverend John Henderson wrote in the statistical accounts of the branch of Carmunnock that : "When deepening a ditch on the marches between Cathkin and Castlemilk, about seven or eight years ago, the bottom of a boat was found. It was ten feet long and two feet broad, all of black oak. There were no marks of iron about it but strong wooden nails". A granite sculpture, commissioned by Castlemilk Environment Trust and sculpted by Paul Grime, is situated on Ardencraig Road, entitled 'Journey'. The original boat remains were situated in Kelvingrove Museum and was dated to be 2000 - 3000 years old. Sadly, no one now knows where it is.
Other archaeological finds were made in the area ; an antique helmet of iron, an iron neckpiece, a camp oven, a camp kettle that stood three feet high and a steel dagger with a blade of 22 inches in length. It is suggested that these items may have come from troops serving in the Stuart armies, who may have camped around the area where they were found. Also found in later years was a mediaeval coin hoard wrapped in stocking and stuffed into a farmhouse wall at Gallowhill, Carmunnock.
In 1854 Sir William James Stirling Crawfurd-Crawfurd Stirling Stuart (the last Laird of Castlemilk) was born in Dublin, Ireland, as a twin with his sister Anne Margaret Helen. When his father, a Captain in the 1st Dragoon Guards, retired from the army they all returned to Castlemilk.
Sir William was privately tutored and then attended Cambridge University. He joined the Lanarkshire militia but didn't enjoy army life and decided to leave when attached to the Royal Scots, then based in Edinburgh. In his early years he was reported to his grandmother by his tutor for being 'too advanced for his age in manners and language' after the tutor interrupted an ardent love scene in the tool-shed between William and the tutor's daughter.
Some stories of the generosity of the Castlemilk Stuarts still survive to this day, but not many. The most generous story to date is that of Cathkin Braes Golf Club. Around 1888, a few hardy gentlemen came up with an idea of forming a golf club. They thought that the lands just outside Carmunnock village would be ideal, and decided to approach the landowner. When they discussed the idea with the Laird, he was eager to help, and offered the lands at a 'very reasonable rate'.
Later when the 'club' was very well established, the Laird gave Cathkin Braes Golf Club a cheque for £1000 saying "That's just for the club funds". Sir William never played a round of golf, but remained a very close friend of the club until his death in 1938.
In 1890 the Laird (aged 36) married Constance Marie de Lormet of Dennistoun (aged 32), the forth daughter of Alexander Dennistoun of Golfhill. She was born on the 6th January 1859, the smallest of six daughters. They were married in St Mark's Church, North Audley Street, London, on the 9th of July. Press accounts say that the wedding was a fairly lavish affair. They have one daughter, Helen, and two sons, James and Douglas Rae.
Both sons attended Oxford University. James studied at Christ Church College and 'Rae' at University College. The two boys joined the army on the outbreak of war. James joined the Scots Guards and Rae joined the Royal Scots Grey (the only Scottish Cavalry regiment). Douglas Rae was posted down south and James crossed to France on 13th August 1914.
1900's
https://web.archive.org/web/20030215200816/http://www.castlemilkhistory.info/years/1900s.htm
During 1913, 117 men from the parish of Carmunnock enlisted to fight in the 'Great War'. In 1914 the Laird's son James dies of wounds received while leading his men in an attack against German positions at Ypres in Belgium. He was buried in the grounds of the hospital of L'ecole de la Beinfaisance but his grave, along with many others, was lost in the heavy fighting that took place later. His name is on the Menin Gate at Ypres along with the many others whose final resting-place is unknown. Douglas Rae was still waiting to go on active service when posted at York. Douglas survived the war years and returns home, before leaving to live in London and marry in 1920.
Lady Helen, along with her mother Constance, were part of a work party based in the village of Carmunnock and made up parcels which were dispatched to 'the Front'.
In 1916 the Laird's wife, Constance, died of a neglected appendix. She is buried in Carmunnock village, surrounded by her favourites - snowdrops. It sounds less romantic when relayed by one of the local children at the time, Bessie Barker (now Mrs Matthews of Hillcrest, Carmunnock); "At the time of her funeral, it was ordered that the village schoolchildren should file around her open grave in Carmunnock churchyard to show their last respects. In fear and horror, sick with nervousness at this most morbid of duties, terrified that they'd fall into the big hole which was lined with a mass of snowdrops round the coffin, the children walked slowly past."
By this time, prospects for estates such as Castlemilk were not very good; "…with the advent of easy bus transport to Glasgow and the large influx of new residents to the bungalows built during the 1920's and 30's Carmunnock ceased to be a closely integrated social unit and became merely a dormitory suburb of Glasgow."
In 1936 Lady Helen marries Major Herbert Harry Stevenson (known as 'Jack') after a seven year engagement. They were wed at Carmunnock Church, the first of the Stuart family to marry there (9th of July). Some of the 400 wedding gifts were unusual - Major Stevenson gave his new bride an emerald ring, a fishing rod and a small saloon car. Lady Helen in return gave him a portrait of herself and an ivory fitted dressing case. After the reception, they headed towards Cathkin Brae's golf course to pick up the Daimler and headed for Gleneagles where they spent a couple of days, then travelling on to Skye. Jack and Helen had two children, James Stuart (named after her eldest brother) and Helena, named after her great-great-grandmother whose father was Governor of St Helena. Their son 'Jimmie' distinguished himself at Eton as best lower boy at sculling for many years and won three cups for his house. Helena left Downham school with a certificate for cooking and another for life saving.
The Last Laird
The church in Carmunnock dates back for many centuries and the Stuarts of Castlemilk were one of its 'Heritors'. Apparently the last Laird had a habit of being late for the service. Every Sunday he would see the rest of the family off to church in one of their carriages. He would then walk the two miles to Carmunnock church and just after the first psalm or hymn started he would make his entrance. If any farmers or estate workers were not in attendance he would visit them the next day to find out why. The Laird was once described as looking 'as soft as a rotten pear but 'e's as 'ard as an iron rail'.
Sir William was very keen on the hunt, and was a member of various hunts throughout the UK, including Warwickshire, Cottesmore and others spread around the Leamington Spa area. Before marriage he lived at Springhill near Rugby and shared a house with his old friend the Marquis of Winchester. Although he owned around eleven hunters, he never liked black horses and would never purchase one (he once rode a black horse in a steeplechase in Rugby - it fell at the third fence, breaking one of Sir William's thighs and dislocating the other). When the hunting season ended, the Laird would bring his horses to Castlemilk but they wouldn't eat the Scottish hay, so it had to be imported from Warwickshire!
The strictness of the Laird may have been exaggerated through stories, one being when the Laird asked his butler to 'take stock' of the wine cellar. Apparently the butler, Goulden, was quite fond of the Laird's wine and when instructed to check the cellar, took fright and attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head. He must have been an awful shot though, as he missed and peppered the wall of the cellar with shot.
The Laird was very fond of dogs and, as one parishioner put it : "To see the Laird without his dogs is to see the Minister without a Bible." One of his dogs fetched a price of £215 in 1905, which was an enormous amount at the time. Lord Leconfield bought one of the Laird's dogs, and its name was 'Help'. When he took it out grouse driving, the dog was very restless and bolted after a passing fox. "Help!…Help!…Help!!" yelled Lord Leconfield. Other guests and beaters rushed to him thinking that he had been shot. After explaining the name of the dog and who sold it to him, Sir William was blamed for ruining the grouse shoot.
In 1938 William James Stirling Crawfurd Stuart, the last Laird of Castlemilk, died a few days after taking a heart attack whilst bathing. Before the Second World War, the Laird had sold much land to Glasgow Corporation for housing developments, but the outbreak of war in 1939 put a temporary halt to these plans. Before his death in 1938, he sold Castlemilk House to Glasgow Corporation (for reasons unknown), but this proved to be disastrous. Even more so was the House of Torrance in East Kilbride, the other family property, being commandeered by the Labour Government for town planning in 1946.
In effect, the Stuart family were driven out and went to live at Tigh-nan-Dilleachdan, Ardeonaig, in Perthshire.
The house was sold to the Glasgow Corporation in 1938 - it changed hands only on the understanding that it would be used as parkland. The most pressing need was for overspill housing in Glasgow, and new homes were on the drawing board even before WWII.
During the war years, Castlemilk House was used for evacuees, and then it became a children's 'home', housing over 5000 children over the decades. One such person was Linda Callaghan, who resided there between 1961-63.
"When you first went into Castlemilk house you went into the isolation unit to be sussed out health-wise. You spent your first three to six weeks in your pyjamas, because if you that that there were 60 children and you had dysentery or something like that, and you mixed with the other children, there would be an epidemic."
"When you first went in the main door, on either side going up the stairs there were plaques of coats of arms all the way up the stairs. But the fireplace was the talking point for all the kids who came into the home. There was a line right down the middle of the top part of the fireplace and the story goes that this was a door. If you could get up to it, you could pull down one of the swords which opened the door. This let you into a secret tunnel which led to a tree out in the gardens. One of the children was supposed to have 'escaped' this way. Many other tunnels are supposed to be located throughout the area, but finding them is another story."
A Mr C Royce, who stayed in Machrie Drive, used to show films in Castlemilk House on a Saturday on an old projector and we went to see them. When you went in the front door there were shields of all the old clans and two big suits of armour. Then at the fireplace there was a big suit of armour on either side and shields up above it. This was in the late 1950's. On the right hand side of the fireplace there was a big door and a stair where you could go up to all the rooms and up to the battlements. There was armour everywhere. I don't know what they pulled the old house down for."
The Last Chance
In 1968 the home was closed, and the B listed building marked for demolition. After substantial protests, it was agreed that at least the 600-year-old central tower was to be saved, but this was not carried out and the whole 'castle' was needlessly destroyed. Letters of appeal and disgust were written and printed, but to no avail - one of the most important buildings in Glasgow was gone.
Given the historical background of this building and these lands, no one seems to know where the treasures from it are. Castlemilk House was abundant with armour, swords, shields, furniture, paintings and much more, but where are they? The search continues.
This daring period now seems a decade of extravagant and rash mistakes. Andy Miller : "The decision was taken to demolish around the house and leave the central tower and incorporate it into the land encircling it with a park. A failure of communication meant they destroyed the whole lot - which must have been pretty difficult as the walls are over ten feet thick in places."
Later they built a slide park right on top of the castle remains.
Lady Helen, the Laird's daughter, lived out her later years in a 'Kirk-care flat' in Carmunnock village. She attended functions, and every few days could be seen having her lunch at the clubhouse of the Cathkin Braes Golf Club (the club still has contacts, to this day, with members of the Stuart family). She never paid for anything and, significantly, she was never asked to.
In 1991 a group of local people (with a very keen interest in history) took on the task of having an archaeological dig carried out at the site of Castlemilk House. They had been researching Glasgow for some time, but grew more and more keen about the history of the local area. Backed by the WEA (Workers Educational Association) and funded by Glasgow District Council, the dig was carried out by Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD). Over a short and limited period of time, they invited local school children to come to the dig to instil a keen interest. Many items were found, and were dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. The dig was less successful than hoped however, as the area was filled with rubble from the demolition, which destroyed the mediaeval levels of finds.
In conclusion, the group had a 'high recovery rate' for such a short period, and the area was recorded as being an 'archaeologically sensitive' area. In their own words, "The remaining bridge, stables and the gardens of Castlemilk House are the last standing links with Mediaeval and Victorian Castlemilk".
The group held exhibitions and seminars, and in 1993 Castlemilk Local History Group, after much hard work and research, released a book; The incomplete History of Castlemilk. The group's next task is to establish a museum to preserve and research deeper into the history of Castlemilk.
The stables were in use at the time of demolition of Castlemilk house and this may be the reason they survived. Glasgow Corporation used them at that time by as a plant nursery and offices, and you could see the many different types of plants that grew in the gardens at the back of the Maids cottage. Right up to 1994 these buildings were in use, another department being the Arts & Cultural Development Office, SouthEast Area. All departments had to find other areas to move to after vandals set fire to the Stables block and caused a fortune in damage.
2000's
So, what still survives of all this history in current day Castlemilk?
Near the centre of Carmunnock village is Castlemilk Hall. This hall was built with the financial help of the Laird of Castlemilk for the use of the villagers, and must have seen a fair amount of meetings, concerts and gatherings. Across from Castlemilk Hall stands the War Memorial, built in memory of those who fell in service of their country. This is not the official memorial, but was built on the orders of the Laird, some say as a tribute to his son James, who died in France (at the top of the list is his son's name). The official War Memorial(s) are housed within the village church, and are in the form of three stained glass windows. However, services are held at both locations on Remembrance Sunday.
The mirror with the Castlemilk Crest on it can be viewed at the Mamma Mia restaurant in Castlemilk shopping Arcade (The Braes).
The Stables and coach houses were an essential part for the Castlemilk Estate and the Stirling Stuart family. Built in 1794, they were built to house all the horses that the Laird loved so much, and for the people who were needed to help the estate function properly. They also housed the gardeners, coachmen, herdsmen and maids. Storage space for food and fodder were available and a dovecote was kept in the central tower. The Stables were in use at the time of the demolition of Castlemilk House, and this may be the reason they survived. Also, the bridge and the two gate piers at the bottom of Fernhill road, are listed by Historical Scotland as category B buildings. Alas, the remaining buildings are being left to rot, and no attempt to preserve what remains seems to be in motion. The 'Maids Cottage' at the rear of the stables has been torn down, and the bridge just looks terrible. The stables were in use as comparatively recently as 1994, when various departments were forced to move out due to mindless vandalism. The buildings were damaged severely and closed down. Today a large metal fence surrounds them. An organisation called the Cassilton Trust Ltd was formed by concerned locals, with the aid of Castlemilk East Housing Association, with the goal of saving and restoring the stables for the benefit of the community.
The most recent plans to save these buildings may seem slightly extravagant to some, and essential to others, but the important part is that there is a plan. If these buildings are destroyed, all that Castlemilk residents of today can say is…"We used to have…!"
The outstanding carved fireplace was one item that was saved just before the destruction of Castlemilk, and tells part of the family history. The Fireplace stood in the main hallway and must have been an awesome sight to behold. It stands over 15 feet tall, and approximately 12 feet wide. The bottom half has two pillars supporting the 'mantle'. On top of the pillars you can see the St Andrew's Cross, and on the other is a crown. Intricate carvings of foliage and gargoyles surround these. The upper half consists of three carved battle scenes, the centre piece being the largest. These depict the battle of Orleans (Feb 1429), in which two brothers of the Stewart family died - Sir William and Sir John Stewart. Glasgow District Council had the fireplace in storage for many years, although it had to be moved quickly to be preserved when the storage area flooded. It was professionally cleaned and reassembled. The importance of this piece of history was realised, and it now stands in two pieces (it's much too large for a normal room) in the CEDA building (Castlemilk Economic Development Agency), under the protecting eyes of the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. It can be viewed by request, however, the GBPT would like to see it back within the community, shown in all its beauty.
Presently, surveys and feasibility studies are being carried out to see what will be done with the buildings. Some ideas are ludicrous and some are very promising. However, it is taking too long to make decisions and we may very well lose the remaining buildings. The buildings now have a security fence around them but are still open to the elements and they could very well deteriorate to a condition where they may be far too costly to restore. It is shocking to see such neglect in practise and the many people that I have spoken to, within and outwith the area, think it is deplorable to leave the buildings so long in need of repairs.
Noble families decended from the 'Royal line' and have held or hold the Dukedoms of Albany, Rothsay, and Lennox, the Marquesses of Bute, Earldoms of Menteith, Angus, Athol, Strathearn, Carrick, Buchan, and Galloway. Other Stewart families were of Bonkyl, Blackhall, and Greenock, Castlemilk, Balquhidder, Achnacone, Ardsheal, Ardvorlich, Dalguise, Fasnacloich, Grandtully and Invernahyle. Walter Stewart ( who started it all) also received the lands of Renfrew, Paisley, Pollock, Cathcart and many others.
The Crests of the Stewarts are many, but the features that are mainly noticable are the oak and the thistle. The war cry of the Stewarts of Appin was 'Creag-an-sgairbh (The cormorants rock). Pipe music included Bratach Bhan nan Stuibhartach, (The white banner of the Stewarts).