Crichton Castle

And so to another castle. This time in the tiny village of Crichton near Edinburgh. The castle is a short walk for the small car park. The castle stands on a high point above the River Tyne.
It was built for the Crichton Family and later became the property of the Bothwell family.
It is a very interesting castle, well worth a visit, but is only open in the summer months.

There are the remains of a 14th Century Tower House, the oldest in Scotland.
The castle is built of sandstone, a soft porous rock. It allowed for some interesting carving, but sandstone is not the hardest of stones and liable to corrosion.

Clearly the castle has a long history, and you will find links to this below.

Just a thought. If you intend to visit any of these castles, do consider a membership in Historic Scotland. There is a charge to enter most properties. If you were to visit Stirling castle and Edinburgh Castle, you will be paying close to annual membership. You can also purchase 3 day and 7 day passes. Annual membership gets you half price entry to English and Welsh properties in your first year, and free in subsequent years. end of adverts.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_076

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crichton_Castle

http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/blvisitcrichton.htm

Glasgow by Night

Next to the place where I live, the Burgh of Clydebank, is the City Of Glasgow.Once upon a time the second City of the United Kingdom in terms of population.

The city began near where today stands the High Street and Glasgow Cathedral. The patron saint of Glasgow is St. Mungo, also known as Kentigern. He is buried in the under crypt of the Cathedral. He features on the City's Coat of Arms.

Glasgow has undergone much change, and the old Glasgow is long gone, but can be found in history books and in photographs.
Today Glasgow is a vibrant place of business and Culture. There are many interesting place to visit. Museums, Galleries, Historic houses and many parks. The old name of Glaschu means "dear green place"

By night it can be spectacular too.
Here are some of my photographs taken by the River Clyde in the heart of the city.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/scotland/glasgow

https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/

http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA05045

Dumbarton Castle

Very often people do not take much notice of what lies close to them. We will travel long distances to see famous landmarks, but ignore our own back yard.

A few miles from here, perched on the sides and top of an extinct volcano is Dumbarton Castle. It holds a commanding site overlooking the River Clyde and the entrance to the River Leven. In times gone past anyone sailing up the Clyde towards Glasgow was easily visible from the Castle ramparts, and if you were an enemy, easy target for the cannons.
Dumbarton was the ancient Capital of Strathclyde from the 5th century until 1018.
As far back as he Iron Age it was important, and the people here traded with the Romans.
St Patrick mentions it in a letter.
Merlin the magician was reputed to have visited here, and there are strong links with Wales in history.
The castle saw many important people, including Royalty. Mary Queen of Scots set sail from here to France to be betrothed to the Dauphin.
William Wallace was kept prisoner here on his way to London for trial and execution.
It was used as a prison for French soldiers during the Napoleonic wars.

The history is fascinating. The views from the Castle on a fine day are stunning. But be warned. There are many many steps to climb if you are to visit both summits of the Rock. As a result of that, last entry id 4.45pm to allow you enough time to reach the top.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbarton_Castle

ttps://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A9mSs2sv6ZdVBmEAwAJLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTE0cGs5cThkBGNvbG8DaXIyBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVUlVS0MwMV8xBHNlYwNzYw--?p=Dumbarton+Castle&fr=fpc-comodo

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?propid=pl_100

http://www.scottish-at-heart.com/dumbarton-castle.html