Cadzow Castle, in the High Parks of Hamilton, is one of the most spectacular castles in Lowland Scotland. Yet it is so enigmatic that even its original name is lost to us. Teetering on the sheer cliffs high above the River Avon, for most of the last two hundred years the landscaped ruins have been shrouded in trees. The Dukes of Hamilton amplified this air of romantic mystery to create a sublime Gothick ruin as a counterpoint to the pure classicism of Hamilton Palace and their nearby lodge at Chatelherault. With the demise of Hamilton Palace in the 20th century, the ruins of the castle, now in the care of Historic Scotland, stand as a testament to the ambitions of the mighty Hamilton family in the 16th century. Excavations from 2000 to 2003 revealed the complexity of its fortifications as well as its turbulent history, while providing glimpses of a once lavish residence, with tiled floors emblazoned with heraldry, and painted plaster interiors. Cadzow's part in the power politics of 16th century Scotland can now be better understood - a world of courtly pursuits and vicious factional conflicts, of high art and military power, of lordly ambition and high treason. Thanks to its association with one of the most powerful families in Scotland, the history of this innovative and spectacular castle is interwoven with the lives of great men and great events.

The Castle in the Woods: Excavations at Cadzow Castle 2000-2003

History

Ewart, Gordon

Europe

Historic Environment Scotland

Dominating the surrounding landscape from its volcanic outcrop, Stirling Castle is an enduring symbol of an epic past. The castle's history is inextricably bound with that of the Scottish nation. It has been touched by every drama and conflict, from the campaigns of the Wars of Independence, through the Jacobite threat, to conflicts of the twentieth century, when it served until the 1960s as home to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Almost every Scottish monarch has left a mark on the castle, which has over the centuries served as both castle and palace: a strategic stronghold and a secure residence for the Stewart monarchs and their children. Archaeological investigation began at Stirling Castle in 1921, when the Grand Battery was excavated to reveal the great kitchens, but it is only in the later twentieth century that concerted archaeological research, conservation and presentation has sought to provide a coherent picture of the development of the monument. This volume brings together the evidence from the archaeological excavations, surveys, historical research and investigations of the standing buildings which have taken place during the conservation of Stirling Castle.

With Thy Towers High: Stirling Castle: The Archaeology of a Castle and a Palace

Arts & Photography

Architecture

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Books by Ewart, Gordon