Two centuries-old castles uncovered in Glasgow
Two castles have been discovered in Partick, both of them hundreds of years old.
The centuries-old remains of two castles have been discovered in Glasgow during Scottish Water’s £250m upgrade of the city’s waste water infrastructure.
Archaeologists are describing the discovery of the 12th or 13th century medieval castle in Partick, and a little-known castle built on the same site 400 years later, as the most historically significant in the city for a generation.
Scottish Water was carrying out preparatory work ahead of the installation of a key piece of infrastructure as part of its £250m upgrade of Glasgow’s waste water infrastructure
Archaeologists unearthed a series of features, including ditches, a well and several stone walls.
They believe some of these are the remains of the 17th century Partick Castle and a 12th or 13th century castle which was built on the same site.
While there was some evidence for Partick Castle’s existence, this is the first solid confirmation.
The remains have been under ground used for the old Partick Central railway station and several industrial sites which built and operated in the area in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The discoveries were made in the Castlebank Street area during preparations for a £3m Scottish Water project to install a new Combined Sewer Overflow.
Hugh McBrien, of West of Scotland Archaeology Service (WOSAS), said: “No-one knew anything about the 12th century castle in Partick.
There was documentary evidence that the bishops of Glasgow spent time in Partick and there have been historical references to ‘charters signed at Partick’. But that’s all.
“It has been known that there was a tower house or castle in the 17th century but all we had were antiquarian drawings and documents that refer to Partick Castle.
“So we expected there was archaeology in this area, because of historical records, but this discovery is the first hard, tangible evidence that both castles existed.
“This is the most significant archaeological discovery in Glasgow in a generation.”
Warren Bailie (corr.), the project manager with Glasgow-based GUARD Archaeology, working on behalf of Scottish Water, added: “These findings made during Scottish Water’s work are of national significance and provide a rare glimpse into the medieval beginnings of Partick and Glasgow.
“The survival of these medieval remains is especially remarkable given that the site, not unlike many industrial river banks across Britain, has witnessed such large-scale destructive development over the centuries.”
Environmental advisor for Scottish water Simon Brassey said: "Following these discoveries, Scottish Water will continue to do everything we can to assist the archaeologists in whatever way they require as their work progresses.”