Crookston Castle Glasgow, Brockburn Road, History, Southside, Pollok, Location

Crookston Castle : Building

Lighting of Historic Pollok building, Glasgow, Strathclyde, west of Scotland

4 Nov 2005

Crookston Castle Glasgow

Location: off Brockburn Road, Pollok

Glasgow City Council Information : Nov 2005

Crookston celebrates the lighting of landmark castle

Residents of Crookston and Pollok, on the southside of Glasgow, today (4 Nov, 2005) will celebrate the lighting up of one of the city’s finest medieval monuments.

Crookston Castle has, since the summer, been lit up as part of Glasgow City Council’s Lighting Strategy.

Now, with the onset of winter and longer nights, the lighting of Crookston Castle features more prominently than ever. Many residents, including local schoolchildren and asylum seekers, will carry lanterns and banners in a procession to the castle for the community celebration of the lighting project.

Other activities included storytelling, drumming and speeches. The event was organised by the local community to coincide with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, and with Bonfire Night events.

Bailie Allan Stewart, Convenor of the Council’s lighting strategy, said: “I’m
delighted to see the people of Crookston celebrating this very important community lighting project. The lighting, we hope, will reveal and enhance the qualities of Glasgow’s only castle.

“It will also allow onlookers to see the castle in a difference light and, we hope, will encourage more people to visit this important southside landmark.”

Today’s event was organised by The Village Storytelling Centre, with support from the Council’s local Community Action Team in conjunction with primary and secondary schools and a Kennishead drop-in group.

Rachel Smillie, project manager of The Village Storytelling Centre, said: “It’s
marvellous that so many people have got involved with this event. Some have made lanterns and others have created silk banners inspired by medieval heraldry. Yet more will be showing off their drumming skills.

“Celebrations like this simply would not have taken place a few years ago and show how our heritage can play a vibrant and exciting role in the modern world.”

Peter Yeoman, Historic Scotland Senior Inspector of Ancient Monuments, said:
“We have been working with community groups and Glasgow City Council to put Crookston Castle back at the heart of the community.
“The new lighting scheme has been designed as a subtle and attractive way to highlight the rugged beauty of this splendid tower house.”

The lighting project was undertaken by the Council within a partnership that includes Carts Greenspace and Historic Scotland, who care for the castle.

The event also marked the completion of a Council project to improve access to the monument by resurfacing the road to the castle and providing disabled parking.

Background
Crookston Castle is the only remaining castle in Glasgow and is said to be where Mary, Queen of Scots spent her honeymoon with Lord Darley.

The altered ruin of an unusual 15th-century castle, consisting of a central tower with four square corner towers, set within 12th-century earthworks. Crookston Castle affords excellent views of south-west Glasgow.

Today the monument sits in greenspace surrounded by housing. The new lighting has enhanced this prominently located castle.

The Village is a community-based storytelling centre for people of all ages. Based in Pollok, The Village aims to be a welcoming place where people can explore their roots, their relationship with the world around them, and the significance that traditional stories might have to life in 21st century Scotland. Funded by the Greater Pollok Social Inclusion Partnership it has run an active programme since September 2000 and was officially opened in March 2001. Since January 2004 The Village has run a Storyteller in Residence for the Crookston Castle programme to promote the castle through storytelling tours and events.

Two community artists Bel Scott and Rob Welsh assisted by students from North Glasgow College helped the local schoolchildren make the lanterns. The schools involved in today’s event included St Paul’s High School, St Marnock’s and Crookston Castle primaries. North Glasgow College’s Samba band are also helping with music on the day.

Glasgow: City of Light is Glasgow City Council’s city wide lighting strategy.
Prominent buildings that have been lit up under this strategy include the Gallery of Modern Art, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The City Chambers, St George’s Tron Church, Tollbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross and Anniesland Tower.
Between November 25 and 27, 2005, the inaugural Radiance, Glasgow’s Festival of Light, will be held in the city. The event is funded by Glasgow City Council.

Historic Scotland safeguards the nation’s built heritage and promotes its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers.