Mugdock Castle, less than ten miles north of Glasgow, was a stronghold of the Grahams from the middle of the 13th century. James Graham, the first Marquis of Montrose initially supported the Covenanters and while in prison in 1641, the castle was sacked by Lord Sinclair.
In the 19th century a large mansion was built in the ruins of the old castle, destroying much of the original castle. However, a tower, rising to four storeys with an entrance at first floor level, still remains. The castle is now set in a country park with a small loch and wild woodland walks.
There is a visitor centre with a cafeteria and the remains of a second castle - Craigend Castle. In the 1950s the area became "Craigend Castle Zoo" but this was before the era of widespread car ownership and the zoo failed as a commercial proposition.
