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Dunglass Castle

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:24 am
by Alchemist
Anyone had a nosey around the place? Just on the
outskirts of the village of Bowling.

Pics http://tinyurl.com/5hc2n

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:09 pm
by crusty_bint
A friend of mine from college is doing that place as a term project, I think its Esso that own it, one of the oil companys anyway. It looks quite run down, but it is wind and water tight as the company spent some money consolodating it. It used to have some CRM interiors as well, there was some link between the Glasgow Boys, and Girls for that matter, ad the family that owned it. I'll see what more info I can get for you.

Crusty :D

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:31 pm
by Alchemist
Thanks crusty_bint :) Esso stopped myself and 2 friends
from having a look years ago, but the terminal is away now.
So don't know if Esso can prevent people from walking down
the road to the place.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:36 pm
by crusty_bint
Well, my mate had access granted from Esso as theres still a wee secuirity guy at the gatehouse. Im sure theres a hole in the fence you could squeeze through somewhere, but yoy wont get into the castle Im afraid. Best of luck if you do venture down.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:40 pm
by Alchemist
We'll bribe the wee security guy with a bottle of
Ballantines ::): From what I've seen in pics, the
place does look well and truely boarded up.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:47 pm
by crusty_bint
I'll ask nicely and see if I can gt any interioir pics for you. I remember my mate showin me a pic of this big storage freezer in this wee side-cellar/cupboard thingy in the castle. Doesnt sound strange in itself, but what was curious was that it was at least twice the size of the door opening. They (Esso) couldnt figure out how they'd got it in so they called the company who made it to ask if you could but it as a self-assembly kit, and the answewr was no. The walls are also about 3 feet thick of solid masonry and theres no evidence of any past of the walls being temporarily dismantled (colour differences with mortar and stonework etc)... tiz a mystery to this day

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 2:51 pm
by Alchemist
Perhaps it's the ship in the glass bottle trick. I can't
see them assembling something like that inside either,
it does seem rather odd :?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:19 pm
by Pgcc93
A few views of Dunglass no interior shots as the windows and doors are bricked up.
The stone column is the Henry Bell monument, it's twin can be found on the opposite side of the Clyde.

HG has some other pics kicking around somewhere.
Image
the remains of the original castle. Theres a wee dovecot in the grounds it's roof just visible near the big red Dunglass Light navigation marker.
Image

Image

Image

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:32 pm
by Alchemist
Cheers Pgcc93, good pics. Two buildings, the newer looks
more of a house, than the older castle ruin, cool 8)
Don't want to appear cheeky, but how did you take those photos,
was it from a boat?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:41 pm
by Pgcc93
Alchemist wrote: how did you take those photos,
was it from a boat?


Indeed they were.

Would like to have seen Charles Rennie Mc's interior.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:06 pm
by Targer
Great photographs of the castle and wall.An interesting castle with many fine features. It is a good thing the place is boarded up so well as it will keep it rain,wind proofed. Further photo's of around the othersides would be most interesting but I suppose that area is difficult to get to. Renovation of the castle would be difficult since that navigation light (and sound?) is near-by. Any further details on the castle would be appreciated.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:35 pm
by downward_spiral
Been there a few times, the house itself is pretty much environmentally sealed it's so secure ;)

You can get to it via the old boatyard. You can get over the wall behind the train station(it's on the shore, amongst the trees, plenty of footholes), proceed through the boatyard (which is very interesting in itself, btw), and then head in the general direction of the oil terminal, and Dunglass house.

Once you get into the Oil terminal, keep your head down or the wee man will see you.

David

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:55 pm
by lordsleek
Try this site it has quite a few interesting notes
http://www.clydebankrestoration.com/Restoration%20Register/bowling.htm :D

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:41 pm
by Pgcc93
Dunglass with the now demolished Ballantines Distillery in Dumbarton in the background.

Image

PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 1:00 am
by Paper Hankie
I used to deliver milk to the castle on my milk run in the mid-seventies, I'm sure my brother's pal used to live there. I'll be seeing the brother tomorrow and I'll ask a few questions.
IIRC the Rennie Mackintosh connection was fireplaces designed by his partner which have been stolen or legally removed. I think they had been covered over for some time.
I used to know one of the Esso gatemen but he unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago. I also think that the path down from the gatehouse is a right of way.
I know it's all a bit speculative but hopefully my brother can clear a few things up tomorrow.