Bothwell Castle by the River Clyde

Crawford Castle

 The ruins of Crawford Castle sit on top of a mound by the banks of the River Clyde.

The architectural remains of Crawford Castle date from the early 17th century but it was probably rebuilt from an earlier 16th century building. The castle is mentioned variously in the 12th, 15th and 16th centuries.

Brodick Castle

 Brodick castle is a National Trust property on the isle of Arran, the present castle dates back to 1844.

A bus from the ferry terminal stops at the castle, the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the castle is an A listed building.

Brodick Castle

 Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran,the castle and gardens are owned at by the National Trust.

Carrick Castle

Carrick Castle, which dates from the 15th century, is built on a rock jutting into Loch Goil. Though ruinous, the oblong building is still in a fair state of preservation, standing four storeys high

Portencross Summer Storm

Port Glasgow

The Doocot or Dovecot at Newark Castle Port Glasgow,the castles neighbour is Ferguson's shipyard so you sometimes see the odd ship tied up .

Finlaystone House

Finlaystone House is a mansion and estate that lies close to the village of Langbank on the south side of the Clyde..

Finlaystone was a property of the Dennistoun family, and passed to the Cunninghams in the 15th century. It was the seat of the Earl of Glencairn until 1796, and is now the property of the Chief of Clan MacMillan. The house is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens.

In the late 14th century, King Robert II confirmed a grant of the lands of Finlaystone to Sir John de Danyelstoun (Dennistoun). He was succeeded by his son, Sir Robert, who was keeper of Dumbarton Castle. When he died in 1399 his estates were divided between his daughters. Elizabeth inherited Newark Castle, while Margaret inherited Finlaystone. In 1405 Margaret married Sir William Cunningham, whose family held the estate as the seat of Clan Cunningham until the 19th century. William's grandson Alexander Lord Kilmaurs (1426–1488) was created Earl of Glencairn in 1488. The family were supporters of the Scottish Reformation, hosting the world's first Protestant Reformed communion service by the preacher John Knox in 1556.

The architect John Douglas was commissioned to design a new house in 1746, but building works were not carried out until 1764. The new house incorporated part of the 15th-century castle.  In 1796, the 15th Earl of Glencairn Lord Kilmaurs, Chief of Clan Cunningham died without issue, and Finlaystone passed to a cousin, Robert Graham of Gartmore, whose family took the name Cunningham-Graham. The Cunningham-Grahams sold Finlaystone in 1862 to Sir David Carrick-Buchanan, who in turn sold it in 1882 to George Jardine Kidston.

Kidston commissioned the architect John James Burnet to carry out a Scots Baronial style remodelling of the house, completed in 1903.  The grounds of the house were extended and planted during the early 20th century. Kidston's granddaughter Marian married General Sir Gordon MacMillan, Chieftain of the Clan MacMillan. Their son George Gordon MacMillan is the current chief and owner of Finlaystone. The estate is operated as a visitor attraction, with walks and play areas in the 10 acres of gardens.

The house is not particularly easy on the eye, perhaps too many attempts at remodelling the building.

The woodland walks are nothing special, and the garden is fairly poor, the roar of the nearby dual carriage way is never far away.

Dunure Castle

Dunure Castle lies on a cliff edge by the small coastal village of Dunure,a craggy picturesque ruin which is maintained by Historic Scotland.

The castle was the first built by the Kennedy family, there has probably been a castle on this site since the 13^th century. The present castle dates from the 15^th century when the Kennedy family had a powerful influence on the area.

Gilbert Kennedy 4^th earl of Cassills obtained lands from Glenluce Abbey in Galloway by having a monk forge the necessary signatures.

The monk was silenced by a hired killer who in turn was hung by the Kennedys for an apparent theft.

In 1565 the Earl confined Allan Stewart commendator of nearby Crossraguel Abbey in Dunure Castle.

He was tortured, roasted on a spit until he renounced his claim on the lands.

Lord Bargany coveted the lands for himself and had the castle stormed one morning by a force of men hiding in the chapel just outside the main gate.

Lord Bargany then arrived with a large force of men and after some discusion Kennedy and Bargany split the lands between themselves.

The Commendator was taken to the town of Ayr and given a pension.