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Renfrew Castle


Renfrew Castle was a 12th century castle although nothing of it now remains.

Around 1150 Walter fitz Alan was appointed hereditary High Steward of Scotland by David I and granted the lands of Mearns, Strathgryfe (now encompassing the majority of Renfrewshire), Renfrew and North Kyle. He was responsible for building the first castle which in 1164 was attacked by Somerled, Lord of the Isles.

In 1361 Sir John Stewart, Lord of Crookston, was baron-bailie, responsible for administering the barony of Renfrew on behalf of Robert, 7th High Steward of Scotland.

The castle seems to have been extant in the 15th century but subsequently fell out of use. In 1775 the ditch which once surrounded the castle could still be seen.

Stone from the castle was used to build a soap works in the 18th century which was itself replaced by the now-demolished Castlehill House. The site now falls within Castlehill Gardens off the residential street of Castlehill Crescent.

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Where is Renfrew Castle?

Renfrew Castle is in the parish of Renfrew and the county of Renfrewshire.

Grid reference:NS 5086 6787

Lat / long:55.880822,-4.3857244

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Renfrew Castle

OS map 342
Glasgow (Paisley, Rutherglen & Kirkintilloch)
OS Explorer map 342


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Directions to Renfrew Castle

Enter a starting point

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Weather at Renfrew Castle

7°C
max 7°C / min 6°C
19km/h ENE
1009mb
82%
100%
05:49 18:53

Overcast clouds
Weather observed at Renfrew at 08:29

References (books)

The Castles of Scotland
Martin Coventry
Prestongrange, 2015

References (websites)

Canmore
Wikipedia
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Castles near Renfrew Castle

Elderslie House (site of)

0.6km away

Inch Castle (site of)

0.6km away

Porterfield (site of)

1.5km away

Blawarthill (site of)

1.5km away

Kemp Knowe motte (site of)

2.3km away

Jordanhill (site of)

3.0km away

Inchinnan Castle (site of)

3.2km away

Peel of Drumry (site of)

3.2km away

Ralston (site of)

4.1km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Renfrew Castle

Langbank crannog

8.8km away

Longhaugh Point standing stone

9.3km away

Gleniffer Braes standing stones

9.5km away

Law Stone of Mugdock (site of) standing stones

10.2km away

Dumbuck crannog

11.1km away

Dumbuie fort

11.3km away

Craigmaddie Muir (possible) standing stones

11.6km away

Craigmaddie Muir cairn, standing stone

11.6km away

Langbank East crannog

11.7km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Renfrew Castle

Old Kilmadock 2 Class I symbol stone

39.8km away

Old Kilmadock 1 Class II symbol stone

39.9km away

Hawkhill Class III cross-slab

46.4km away

Blackford Class I symbol stone

59.1km away

Tullibole Class III cross slab

63.8km away

Fowlis Wester Class II cross-slab

70.1km away

Fowlis Wester Church Class III cross-slab

70.2km away

Dunadd Class I rock carving

71.9km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

74.2km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Renfrew Castle

Whitecleugh silver chain

56.6km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

57.2km away

Borland silver chain

59.1km away

Norrie's Law hoard

98.5km away

Whitlaw silver chain

100.5km away

Haddington silver chain

100.6km away

Traprain Law silver chain

107.5km away

Hoardweel silver chain

127.8km away

Torvean silver chain

176.0km away
more Pictish sites....

Accommodation near Renfrew Castle

Normandy Hotel Glasgow Airport
hotelRenfrew
1.3km away
Glynhill Leisure Hotel & Spa
hotelRenfrew
1.5km away
Premier Inn Glasgow Airport
hotel, restaurantPaisley
3.3km away
Boulevard Hotel Complex
hotelClydebank
3.5km away
Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport
hotel, restaurant, barPaisley
3.6km away
Ramada Glasgow Airport
hotel, bar, restaurantPaisley
3.6km away
Travelodge Glasgow Airport Hotel
hotelGlasgow
3.7km away
Barrisdale Guest House Glasgow
bed and breakfastGlasgow
3.8km away
Lomond Airport Hotel
bed and breakfastPaisley
4.0km away
Express by Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport
hotelPaisley
4.0km away

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Renfrew Castle

Premier Inn Glasgow Airport
hotel, restaurantPaisley
3.3km away
Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport
hotel, restaurant, barPaisley
3.6km away
Ramada Glasgow Airport
hotel, bar, restaurantPaisley
3.6km away
Glasgow Pond Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barGlasgow
4.6km away
Bull Inn
barPaisley
4.7km away
Hotel Du Vin At One Devonshire Gardens
hotel, restaurant, barGlasgow
5.1km away
Café Antipasti Byres Road
restaurantGlasgow
5.9km away
Café Andaluz Glasgow West End
restaurantGlasgow
5.9km away
BrewDog Glasgow
barGlasgow
6.0km away
Premier Inn Glasgow (Bearsden)
hotel, restaurantGlasgow
6.2km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 9th of February 2012 at 12:39 am. Updated on the 20th of February 2021 at 6:15 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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