Description:

Crookston was for many years owned by the Stuarts of Darnley. In 1489 the Darnleys were involved in a rebellion against James IV, and the king besieged Crookston, bombarding the castle walls with the aide of his massive cannon, Mons Meg.

The most famous - or infamous - member of the family was Henry Darnley (1545-67), the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. The queen may have stayed here with Darnley, indeed, there is even a suggestion that they became engaged to be married here at Crookston.

The castle lapsed into ruin and was eventually purchased by the Maxwells of Pollok. The Maxwells restored the castle in time for the 1847 visit of Queen Victoria to Glasgow.

Crookston Castle was the first property to be owned by the National Trust for Scotland, which was granted the site in 1931 by Sir John Maxwell, one of the founding members of the Trust. It is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.