Kilmahew Castle
Encyclopedia
Kilmahew Castle is a ruined castle located just north of Cardross, in the council area of Argyll and Bute
. Kilmahew is named for its patron saint, Mochta
(Mahew).
by Malcolm, the Earl of Lennox
around the year 1290. The castle itself was built sometime in the 16th century by the Napier family
, who owned it for the next 18 generations. The Napiers who owned Kilmahew are notable for being the progenitors of most of the Napiers in North America, as well as some of their members who had notable contributions in the field of engineering, such as Robert Napier
, the "Father of Clyde Shipbuilding," and David
, James and Montague Napier, who owned the engineering company of Napier & Son
.
The estate was inherited by George Maxwell of Newark and Tealing (1678-1744) in 1694, when he assumed the name of his maternal grandfather, John Napier of Kilmahew. The estate was sold to Alexander Sharp in 1820 in repayment of gambling debts. In 1839, the estate was acquired by James Burns of Bloomhill
(a neighbouring estate), the son of Rev. Dr. John Burns
, eventually dying in the Castle in 1871.
The ruins were acquired by the Archdiocese of Glasgow
, along with the surrounding estate, in 1948.
. Some obvious gothic
modifications were done during the 19th century by Alexander Sharp, who owned the castle at the time.
Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute is both one of 32 unitary council areas; and a Lieutenancy area in Scotland. The administrative centre for the council area is located in Lochgilphead.Argyll and Bute covers the second largest administrative area of any Scottish council...
. Kilmahew is named for its patron saint, Mochta
Mochta
Saint Mochta or Mochtae , in Latin sources Maucteus or Mauchteus, was a disciple of St. Patrick.He was, like Patrick, a native of Britain. His name is British, and Adomnán's Life of Columba describes him as "a certain British stranger, a holy man and a disciple of the holy bishop Patrick"...
(Mahew).
History
Kilmahew castle was built upon the lands granted to the NapiersClan Napier
Clan Napier is a Scottish clan originally from lands around Loch Lomond, but with presence in Stirlingshire, Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire.-Origins of the Clan:There is some debate about the origin of the name Napier...
by Malcolm, the Earl of Lennox
Maol Choluim I, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Choluim I of Lennox ruled the Mormaerdom of Lennox, between 1250 and 1303.He was an early supporter of the Bruces, and appeared before Edward I of England in 1292 amongst the supporters of Robert Bruce, 5th Lord of Annandale...
around the year 1290. The castle itself was built sometime in the 16th century by the Napier family
Clan Napier
Clan Napier is a Scottish clan originally from lands around Loch Lomond, but with presence in Stirlingshire, Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire.-Origins of the Clan:There is some debate about the origin of the name Napier...
, who owned it for the next 18 generations. The Napiers who owned Kilmahew are notable for being the progenitors of most of the Napiers in North America, as well as some of their members who had notable contributions in the field of engineering, such as Robert Napier
Robert Napier (engineer)
Robert Napier was a Scottish engineer, and is often called "The Father of Clyde Shipbuilding."-Early life:Robert Napier was born in Dumbarton at the height of the Industrial Revolution, to James and Jean Napier...
, the "Father of Clyde Shipbuilding," and David
David Napier (automotive engineer)
This article is about the automotive and aero-engine manufacturer. For other people of the same name see David Napier David Napier was a Scottish engineer, notable for founding Napier & Son, an early automotive and aero-engine company.-Life:David Napier was born in Dumbarton to a family of ...
, James and Montague Napier, who owned the engineering company of Napier & Son
Napier & Son
D. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
.
The estate was inherited by George Maxwell of Newark and Tealing (1678-1744) in 1694, when he assumed the name of his maternal grandfather, John Napier of Kilmahew. The estate was sold to Alexander Sharp in 1820 in repayment of gambling debts. In 1839, the estate was acquired by James Burns of Bloomhill
James Burns (Scottish shipowner)
James Burns , was a shipowner born in Glasgow-Family:Burns was the third son of the Revd Dr John Burns , minister of the Barony parish of Glasgow, and his wife, Elizabeth, née Stevenson...
(a neighbouring estate), the son of Rev. Dr. John Burns
John Burns (minister)
Rev. Dr. John Burns D.D. was born in Stirling, the son of John Burns of Stirth and Janet Young of Risk.He was a minister in the Church of Scotland, and he served a Glasgow cure longer than any minister on record, having been in the Barony for sixty-nine years. Four of these years he was assistant...
, eventually dying in the Castle in 1871.
The ruins were acquired by the Archdiocese of Glasgow
Archdiocese of Glasgow
The Archdiocese of Glasgow was one of the thirteen dioceses of the Scottish church. It was the second largest diocese in the Kingdom of Scotland, including Clydesdale, Teviotdale, parts of Tweeddale, Liddesdale, Annandale, Nithsdale, Cunninghame, Kyle, and Strathgryfe, as well as Lennox Carrick...
, along with the surrounding estate, in 1948.
Design
The castle was originally a four-storey 16th century tower houseTower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
. Some obvious gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
modifications were done during the 19th century by Alexander Sharp, who owned the castle at the time.