Gazing at Bedlay Castle, can’t you almost feel the weight of centuries? Bedlay Castle stands as a testament to Scotland’s rich and complex past. Today, we will delve into the history of Bedlay Castle, uncovering tales of bishops, lords, and even spectral sightings.
Bedlay Castle is located between Chryston and Moodiesburn. It started as a defensive castle in the late 16th and 17th centuries. The lands of Bedlay were once owned by the Bishops of Glasgow. David I confirmed this grant, and William I reaffirmed it in 1180.
In 1580, James Boyd granted the lands to his kinsman, Robert Boyd. Robert was the 4th Lord Boyd of Kilmarnock. He constructed the original Bedlay Castle near Bothlyn Burn. The Boyds owned Bedlay Castle until 1642. James, the 9th Lord Boyd, sold it to James Roberton. Roberton was an advocate and grandson of John Roberton, the 9th Laird of Earnock. The Roberton family expanded Bedlay Castle. They held the property until 1786.
Since then, Bedlay Castle has had several owners. These include the Campbells of Petershill. The Campbells constructed a family mausoleum on the grounds. Bedlay Castle remains privately owned and occupied. It was even up for sale as of May 2007.
Bedlay Castle sits on a naturally defensive site. Watercourses protect it on three sides. The original castle built around 1580 was a simple tower house. It had two storeys and an attic. The tower house measured approximately 13 by 7.5 metres. A square stair tower protruded from the north-east corner. The ground floor had two vaulted cellars. Above was a hall. Later, an extra storey was added to the stair tower. This was reached by a spiral stair.
The late 17th century saw a large extension added to the west of Bedlay Castle. This extension matched the height of the original building. It featured a single room on each floor. Round towers finished off the western corners. Due to lower ground, an extra floor was created. This lower level, accessed from the ground floor, included a hidden room beneath one of the towers.
An 18th-century linking block of two storeys was added to the north side of Bedlay Castle. Modernisations included large sash windows. The main hall was divided into two rooms. Garden ornaments, like stone balustrades and gate piers, came from the Campbells’ demolished property at Petershill.
Bedlay Castle has its share of ghost stories. People have reported seeing the ghost of Bishop Cameron, a large bearded man, within the castle. A horse and carriage have been heard in the lane beside Bedlay House, an old coach road. The Campbell mausoleum was said to be haunted, until it was moved to a nearby cemetery.
In ancient times, the estate of Bedlay and Mollins belonged to the Cathedral Church of Glasgow. William the Lion gifted it in the 12th century. The oldest part of the L-plan tower house was erected during the Boyd family’s ownership from around 1535 to 1642. A “priest’s hole,” a hidden hiding place accessed via a secret panel in a window seat, was likely installed during this time.
The Roberton family, who owned the castle until 1786, added two turret towers and a garret. Glasgow tobacco merchant James Dunlop acquired the estate in 1786. However, he sold it in 1793 to John McKenzie. Bedlay later passed to James Campbell.
Bedlay Castle requires complete refurbishment to restore it to its former glory. It includes large barrel-vaulted store rooms, cellars, and larders, as well as a main kitchen and living room on the ground floor. The master bedroom is located on the first floor, along with a drawing room, gallery, and large dining room. The towers offer two circular rooms across the ground, first, and second floors.
Bedlay Castle is surrounded by 9.76 acres of grounds and woodlands. This gives it a feeling of seclusion and privacy. It’s conveniently located close to Glasgow and has direct access to major roads. As we conclude our visit to Bedlay Castle, remember the layers of history. Think about the families who lived here. Consider the echoes of their lives within these stone walls. Bedlay Castle is more than just a structure. It is a tangible link to Scotland’s captivating past.