Castle Semple Loch


Castle Semple Collegiate Church
Photo © Philip Halling, 2 August 2008

Castle Semple Loch is a 1.5 mile (2.5 km) long inland loch at Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, Scotland. Originally part of an estate of the same name, it is now administered by Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park as a watersports centre. An RSPB bird sanctuary is located on the loch's northern shore.

Collegiate Church

The ruins of the small sixteenth century Castle Semple Collegiate Church can be found on the northern shore along a well-maintained path. It was built in 1504 by John, Lord Sempill, in the grounds of the original (thirteenth century) Castle Semple, and is now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Castle Semple

Castle Semple House was built in 1735 for Col. William MacDowell, who had the original Castleton House was demolished. This house is described by Crawford in 1710 as consisting of a large court, part of which seemed to be very ancient building. According to Gardner, Castleton was built in 1492 - 3, but Millar states that it was built about 1550, as a successor to Elliston Castle. Its foundations were exposed in 1836 when digging drains about Castle Semple.

The new Castle Semple was an elaborate gothick mansion which became renowned for its extensive gardens which formed the centrepiece of the 900 acre (364 ha) estate. It burned down in 1924 and the ruins were finally demolished in 1960. The billiard room and stables wing have been re-roofed and are used as farm buildings. Impressive gate-arches and a small temple folly on a knoll to the northern end of the loch are all that remains of the estate.[1][2]

Castle Semple railway station never opened to the general public.[3] A platform existed here, used by the workers of the nearby Castle Semple Estate.[4] Had the station opened to the public, it would likely have been called Howwood or St Bryde's (after nearby St Bryde's House and burn).[4] The trackbed is now part of National Cycle Route 7.

Curling bonspiel

Harvey of Castle Semple refused the use of Castle Semple loch to the Royal Curling Club for the Grand Match or bonspiel; he could spare no part of the 2 mile long loch, however his neighbour, McDowall of Gartland, offered the Barr Meadow which he flooded to a depth of two to three feet, thereby providing a safe alternative venue. The event of 11 January 1850 was very successful and attracted huge crowds. The North won for the first time by a majority of 233 shots.[5]

References

  1. ^ Millar, A H (1889) The castles and mansions of Renfrewshire and Buteshire: illustrated in sixty-five views with historical and descriptive accounts. unpaginated.
  2. ^ NSA (1845), The new statistical account of Scotland by the ministers of the respective parishes under the superintendence of a committee of the society for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the clergy, 15v, Edinburgh, Vol.7 (Renfrew), p 96
  3. ^ Wham, p. 23
  4. ^ a b Wham, Alasdair (2000). The Lost Railway Lines South of Glasgow. Wigtown: G.C. Book Publishers. ISBN 1-8723-5008-9.
  5. ^ Murray, W. H. (1981), The Curling Companion. Pub. Richard Drew, Glasgow. ISBN 0-904002-80-2. P. 98 - 101.

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