Centuries ago, imagine the clash of steel echoing around Mearns Castle. It was a time when Scotland’s lords needed strong defenses. Today, we stand before Mearns Castle. It is a 15th-century tower house in Newton Mearns near Glasgow.
Mearns Castle is more than just old stones. It is a Category A listed building. The castle is part of the Maxwell Mearns Castle Church now. It also lends its name to Mearns Castle High School nearby.
Herbert, Lord Maxwell, built this castle. He had royal permission from 1449. The Maxwells were a powerful family. James VI later took the castle from the fifth Lord Maxwell. Then, Sir George Maxwell of Nether Mearns bought it. Later, the Shaw-Stewart family owned it.
In 1971, the remaining parts of Mearns Castle became part of a church. It linked two Church of Scotland buildings. This shows how old and new can come together.
Mearns Castle was a four-story tower. It measured 30 by 40 feet. The walls were 10 feet thick. The lower walls used rough stones. The upper walls used finer stones. This suggests it was built on an older building’s base.
The main entrance was on the first floor. People used a ladder to reach it. This made it easier to defend. The entrance is now walled up.
Inside Mearns Castle, there is a vaulted basement room. A straight mural stair leads to the first-floor hall. The hall has stone window seats. A minstrel’s gallery once stood there. This is where musicians entertained guests.
Around Mearns Castle, there were outer defenses. A barmkin wall followed the rocky knoll. A bank protected the approach to the gatehouse. These defenses made the castle strong.
Despite its defenses, Mearns Castle never saw battle. But it did house soldiers during the Covenanting period. These soldiers caused trouble in the area.
Today, Mearns Castle stands as a symbol of Scotland’s past. Its walls have seen centuries pass. It has transformed from a stronghold to a place of worship. It connects us to Scotland’s story of survival and change. Mearns Castle stands as a reminder of medieval life. It is a special place for many. It is a link to Scotland’s rich history.