Friday, November 11, 2011

Fairlie Castle

We discovered this castle a few days ago! There’s a pleasant walk to it from Fairlie Station or the corner of Castlepark Gardens – you can go up one way and down the other (as we did).

Facing the station, turn onto the narrow footpath to the left, over the bridge, turn right by Argyll Cottage, through a gateway and then follow the path uphill. It’s rocky and a bit slippery when wet with a bit of a drop on the right hand side down to the burn, so take care! You’ll pass lovely little waterfalls and see many wild flowers and birdlife – not to mention the beautiful views back down over the Clyde.

Partway up the path (you can actually continue for a longer walk but I don’t know how far it goes) you’ll come to Fairlie Castle – actually a keep of four levels. There’s no access to the interior as the entrance is blocked up. Now roofless, it’s a plain rectangular tower built in the 15th century. It measures 45ft 5ins by 29ft – I looked that up as I didn’t take a tape measure with me! ;-)

Apparently it was the Ross family who built the Castle; they lived there until the 17th century but by the end of the 19th century, unfortunately, it was nothing more than a ruin.

Below are some of my photos taken along the walk to the castle:











Fairlie Castle at last!

Views from near the castle



There were many wild flowers along the path despite it being November!


9 comments:

Adullamite said...

Not much left there! I wonder what that curved structure was for?
Good tour mind.

Jane said...

Many thanks Adullamite! I think the curved structure was just the decorative top part of an old low wall.

Jane said...

NOTE TO KEVIN21 - DO NOT POST ANY MORE ADVERTISING ON MY BLOG. I HAVE DELETED YOUR LATEST MESSAGE AND REPORTED YOU TO BLOGGER AND GOOGLE FOR THIS SPAM AND ANNOYING BEHAVIOUR.

Jan's Travel and Tours said...

ooh....a very wonderful place! Thanks for sharing some photos...

Melinda Bogert said...

Loved your photos and the description of the trip there. Wish I could have seen it myself. Haven't visited your blogs recently and Wow!! What I've missed!!!

Luanne FP said...

I just found your blog. I was looking for photos of Fairlie Castle. I don't know how I didn't see it before. The pictures are lovely! I have so enjoyed them!
I am a daughter of a Fairlie who was born in Canada and his grandad came from Edinburgh, Scotland. Their names were John and Hannah Fairlie.
I use to dream as a child that one day I would get to return to Fairlie Castle to live! lol
I am almost 50 and still raising my little ones but one day I still hope to visit beautiful Scotland!
Thank you for all the lovely photos you have shared!!!

God Bless, Luanne Fairlie

Jane said...

Dear Luanne,
Many thanks for your lovely message! I'm so glad you like the photos of Fairlie Castle. What a lovely name you have and a fascinating background too. I hope you get to visit Scotland one day and to see Scotland and Fairlie Castle for yourself!
Warmest wishes from Jane

Jane said...

Thank you also to Jan and to Melinda - I'm so sorry that I didn't see your nice comments until just now!

Luanne FP said...

It is so nice to see this since my ancestors built and lived in this castle. I hope to visit one day. I am over the ocean in Canada.
L. Fairlie