Kilmahew Castle

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Kilmahew Castle

Kilmahew Castle is a ruined castle north of Cardross in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Kilmahew is named after its patron saint, Mochta ( Mahew ).

History

Kilmahew Castle was built on the land of Napier Malcolm, the Earl of Lennox after 1290. The castle itself was built in the 16th century by the Clan Napier, who owned it for 18 generations. The Napier, who were in possession of Kilmahew are known as ancestors of most of Napier in North America as well as clan, which has produced many engineers, including Robert Napier, the "Father of Clyde Shipbuilding ", and David, James and Montague Napier, the owner of Napier & Son

The property was inherited by George Maxwell of Newark and Tealing (1678-1744) in 1694, when he assumed the name of his maternal grandfather, John Napier of Kilmahew, who died without legitimate children. After his death the property was successfully claimed by his illegitimate daughter, Jean Smith, who was married to David Brydie and in 1820 finally passed to Alexander Sharp as repayment of gambling debts. 1839 home of James Burns of Bloom Hill was acquired, the son of Rev. Dr. John Burns, who eventually died in 1871 in the castle.

The ruins were purchased by the Archdiocese of Glasgow, together with the area of the property in 1948. It stands today as a Scheduled Monument and Category B Classified building.

Construction

The castle is a viergeschössiger residential tower from the 16th century. Some obvious Gothic elements were added in the 19th century by Alexander Sharp, the former owner of the castle.