Cadzow Castle
Encyclopedia
Cadzow Castle, now in ruins, was constructed between 1500 and 1550 on the site of an earlier royal castle, one mile south-east of the centre of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
, Scotland
. The town of Hamilton was formerly known as Cadzow or Cadyou ' onMouseout='HidePop("50570")' href="/topics/Yogh">yogh
), until renamed in 1455 in honour of James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton
. The castle sits above a gorge overlooking the Avon Water
in what is now Chatelherault Country Park
, but was previously the hunting and pleasure grounds of the Duke of Hamilton
's estate of Hamilton Palace
. The ruin is a category B listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument
.
at Cadzow, prior to that kingdom's assimilation into Scotland in the 12th century. The original Cadzow Castle was built in the 12th century as an occasional royal residence for King David I
(1124–1153). Royal charters of David's reign were issued from here as early as 1139. His successors Alexander II
, Alexander III
and others down to Robert the Bruce
also used the castle, primarily as a hunting lodge. It is possible that this earlier castle was on an alternative site at , now known as Castlehill, although the area is now a housing estate.
The estate of Cadzow was divided in 1222, with Cadzow Castle passing to the Comyns
. Following the forfeiture of their lands for supporting John Baliol, the estate was granted by Robert the Bruce to Walter FitzGilbert de Hambeldon
in the early 14th century. FitzGilbert was ennobled as the first Baron of Cadzow
, and is the ancestor of the Dukes of Hamilton. He constructed a motte
near the town , which remains, adjacent to the M74 motorway.
, who also constructed nearby Craignethan Castle
. Following her escape from Loch Leven Castle
in 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here. As a result it was destroyed by forces of the Earl of Mar
, regent for James VI, in the late 16th century, as retaliation against the Hamiltons for their support of Mary. It was partially rebuilt in the 18th century, to serve as a folly
within the Duke's park.
. There is no public access to the ruins, as the structure is unstable, and largely supported by scaffolding. Footpaths within the country park allow visitors to view the ruin. The Duke's Bridge, built high across the Avon Gorge, offers the most dramatic view of the ruins above the wooded gorge. A series of excavations, sponsored by Historic Scotland, took place at the castle between 2000 and 2003.
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The town of Hamilton was formerly known as Cadzow or Cadyou ' onMouseout='HidePop("50570")' href="/topics/Yogh">yogh
Yogh
The letter yogh , was used in Middle English and Older Scots, representing y and various velar phonemes. It was derived from the Old English form of the letter g.In Middle English writing, tailed z came to be indistinguishable from yogh....
), until renamed in 1455 in honour of James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton
James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton
James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton, 6th Lord of Cadzow was a Scottish nobleman, scholar and politician.-Early life:...
. The castle sits above a gorge overlooking the Avon Water
Avon Water
Avon Water, also known locally as the River Avon, is a 24-mile-long river in Scotland, and a tributary of the River Clyde.The Avon Water rises in the hills on the boundary between East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire, close to the head of the Irvine Water...
in what is now Chatelherault Country Park
Chatelherault Country Park
Chatelherault Country Park is a country park in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Its name is derived from the French town of Châtellerault, the title Duc de Châtellerault being held by the Duke of Hamilton....
, but was previously the hunting and pleasure grounds of the Duke of Hamilton
Duke of Hamilton
Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1643. It is the senior dukedom in that Peerage , and as such its holder is the Premier Peer of Scotland, as well as being head of both the House of Hamilton and the House of Douglas...
's estate of Hamilton Palace
Hamilton Palace
Hamilton Palace was a large country house located north-east of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The former seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, it was built in 1695 and subsequently much enlarged. The house was demolished in 1921 due to ground subsidence despite inadequate evidence for that...
. The ruin is a category B listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
.
The early castle
The ancient kings of Strathclyde are said to have had a hunting lodgeHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
at Cadzow, prior to that kingdom's assimilation into Scotland in the 12th century. The original Cadzow Castle was built in the 12th century as an occasional royal residence for King David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
(1124–1153). Royal charters of David's reign were issued from here as early as 1139. His successors Alexander II
Alexander II of Scotland
Alexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
, Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
and others down to Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
also used the castle, primarily as a hunting lodge. It is possible that this earlier castle was on an alternative site at , now known as Castlehill, although the area is now a housing estate.
The estate of Cadzow was divided in 1222, with Cadzow Castle passing to the Comyns
Clan Cumming
Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a Scottish clan from the central Highlands that played a major role in the history of 13th century Scotland and in the Wars of Scottish Independence and were instrumental in defeating the English at the Battle of Roslin in 1303...
. Following the forfeiture of their lands for supporting John Baliol, the estate was granted by Robert the Bruce to Walter FitzGilbert de Hambeldon
Walter fitz Gilbert of Cadzow
Sir Walter fitz Gilbert of Cadzow, 1st Laird of Cadzow was a Scottish nobleman. The son of Gilbert fitz William of Hameldone, and an unknown wife, possibly Isabelle Randolph...
in the early 14th century. FitzGilbert was ennobled as the first Baron of Cadzow
Duke of Hamilton
Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1643. It is the senior dukedom in that Peerage , and as such its holder is the Premier Peer of Scotland, as well as being head of both the House of Hamilton and the House of Douglas...
, and is the ancestor of the Dukes of Hamilton. He constructed a motte
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
near the town , which remains, adjacent to the M74 motorway.
The 16th century castle
The present castle was built around 1530 by Sir James Hamilton of FinnartJames Hamilton of Finnart
Sir James Hamilton of Finnart was a Scottish nobleman and architect, the illegitimate son of James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran, and Mary Boyd of Bonshaw....
, who also constructed nearby Craignethan Castle
Craignethan Castle
Craignethan Castle is a ruined castle in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located above the River Nethan, a tributary of the River Clyde, at . The castle is two miles west of the village of Crossford, and 4.5 miles north-west of Lanark...
. Following her escape from Loch Leven Castle
Loch Leven Castle
Loch Leven Castle is a ruined castle on an island in Loch Leven, in the Perth and Kinross local authority area of Scotland. Possibly built around 1300, the castle was the location military action during the Wars of Scottish Independence...
in 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here. As a result it was destroyed by forces of the Earl of Mar
John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar
John Erskine, 17th Earl of Mar , regent of Scotland, was a son of John, 5th Lord Erskine, who was guardian of King James V, and afterwards of Mary, Queen of Scots....
, regent for James VI, in the late 16th century, as retaliation against the Hamiltons for their support of Mary. It was partially rebuilt in the 18th century, to serve as a folly
Folly
In architecture, a folly is a building constructed primarily for decoration, but either suggesting by its appearance some other purpose, or merely so extravagant that it transcends the normal range of garden ornaments or other class of building to which it belongs...
within the Duke's park.
The castle today
The site is now owned and managed by Historic ScotlandHistoric Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
. There is no public access to the ruins, as the structure is unstable, and largely supported by scaffolding. Footpaths within the country park allow visitors to view the ruin. The Duke's Bridge, built high across the Avon Gorge, offers the most dramatic view of the ruins above the wooded gorge. A series of excavations, sponsored by Historic Scotland, took place at the castle between 2000 and 2003.