Kilpatrick & Colquhon Ancestral Lands

This is my country,
The land that begat me,
These windy spaces
Are surely my own.
And those who toil here
In the sweat of their faces
Are flesh of my flesh
And bone of my bone.
--Sir Alexander Gray


Closeburn Castle



Closeburn Castle is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited Castles in Scotland and dates from the 14th century. It was built by the Kirkpatricks/ Kilpatricks who had a close association with Robert the Bruce.





Church of Old Kilpatrick



Old Kilpatrick is where the origins of Colquhouns lie, when in 1246 Humphry of Kilpatrick received the barony of Colquhoun. The Barony extended along the banks of the Clyde, just east of Dumbarton and up into the Kilpatrick Hills which rise up to twelve hundred feet above the river. The church was believed to have been constructed in the 12th century. The original construction stood for over five centuries, when due to its dilapidated condition, it was demolished and a new building erected in 1812. In the graveyard most traces of Colquhouns have gone, though we know many are interred here, one dating from 1699. On display in the churchyard is a carved effigy of a knight from one of the tombstones, it is 14th century and probably one of the early Colquhoun Lords. The effigy, standing over six feet tall, is fastened by large iron staples to the outside wall of the church. The figure appears to be a well armed knight, however there is no inscription on the stone. It is executed in a style which suggests it is a fourteenth century sculpture.



From the booklet "A Guide through the Clan Colquhoun Lands" published by the Clan Colquhoun Society of the United Kingdom, 2000


Bannachra



The lands and castle of Bannachra lie at the southern end of the Parish of Luss, they were originally part of the ancient kingdom of the Lennox. It is unknown who built the castle or when it was built, but it was in Colquhoun hands in the 16th century and remained so until 1770 when it was sold to James Donaldson of Glasgow.

The Castle is in roughly the shape of a parallelogram, being approximately 46 feet long and 24 feet wide. The building was three stories high with a barrel vaulted basement, a main or hall floor and an attic floor. Bannachra Castle is currently owned by Mr. Hamish Lumsden, whose family has owned the lands on which the castle is since the 19th century when it came into the possession of Sir. James Lumsden.

The castle overlooks Glen Fruin and the views over the Glen and across Loch Lomond are spectacular. The castle, which is reputed to be on the site of a former construction, was probably build in the 16th century. It would be better described as a Hall-house, the walls quite thin. The windows carry narrow plain chamfers on the external jams, and there are indications that shot-holes existed under some of them at first floor level. The badly broken corners on the north gable indicate that they probably carried corner turrents projected on corbels. It is thought the south east corner may have had a similar turret.

The Castle is a category B listed building and of historical interest. With the help of Historic Scotland, the preservation of the Castle remains is being put in hand.



From the booklet "Bannachra Castle" published by the Clan Colquhoun Society of the United Kingdom, 1998


Dunglass Castle



The original lands of the family of Colquhoun were along rhe river Clyde at the village of Kilpatrick. This was where Unfridus de Kilpatrick had his holding when granted the lands of Colquhoun. On the banks of the river stood the castle of Dunglass. There is very little of the original castle remaining now, just some baseline stones along the wall that remains from later buildings. The castle was about three miles south-east of the much more imposing castle of Dumbarton. It is said that the castle was built in about 1380, and was certainly used as a residence by Sir. John Colquhoun, Chamberlain of Scotland, during the period from 1439-1478. The castle was not as formidable as Dumbarton Castle, but it's position commanded the movement of shipping on the river Clyde and was therefore of military significance.



From the booklet "The Castle of Dunglass" published by the Clan Colquhoun Society of the United Kingdom, 1998


Rossdhu



Situated near Luss, on Loch Lomond, the story of Rossdhu reaches far back through the centuries to the family of Maldouen first of Luss. He was granted the barony of Luss by Alwyn, Earl of Lennox in a charter dated 1150 AD. The name Rossdhu is derived from the word Ross which signifies a point or promontory which projects out into the Loch, and dhu which means black. So we have "Black Promontory." The date the castle was erected is not certain, but in a charter dated the 2nd of February, 1457, there is no mention of the tower house or fortalice, but Fraser asserts that the castle long pre-dates the charter. The charter granted by King James II to Sir John Colquhoun, Chamberlain of Scotland, erected the lands of Luss and others into the barony of Luss. Later charters of 1541 and 1602, however, made special mention of the tower, castle, and fortalice of Rossdhu. the castle is stated to be the main dwelling place of the united barony. It is known that Mary Queen of Scots visited Rossdhu on two occasions. In the next century, Sir John Colquhoun married Lillias Graham, the sister of James Graham, who would later become the celebrated Marquis of Montrose. James Graham was about 16 years of age at the time of the marriage, and came to Rossdhu several times to visit his sister. What is now Rossdhu are the remains of the old fortalice, and a newer Georgian mansion that has subsequently been subject to additions. There is also the recently re-roofed Chapel of St. Mary, where the chiefs of Colquhoun are buried.

The new house was constructed in the 16th century and Sir James Colquhoun and the Lady Helen Sutherland, his wife, moved into it in 1773. The house was constructed in brick in the square Georgian shape quite close to the old castle. The house was a two story building with six windows on the front which faces east. There were additions made to the house in the early 19th century. A pedimented portico was added, which was supported by two giant Tuscan columns. Also wings were added by Sir James Colquhoun 27th of Luss, about the same time. In a guide to Lomond published in Glasgow in 1799, Rossdhu is described as "the mansion house of Sir John Colquhoun of Luss. This is an elegant modern built villa, seated upon a beautiful promontory that stretches a considerable way into the lake, and is joined ot the land by a small isthmus. The domain in which are some excellent oaks, though small, has a very beautiful aspect from the road. The traveler will find the road here very romantic, the trees on each side forming a beautiful Situated near Luss, on Loch Lomond, the story of Rossdhu reaches far back through the centuries to the family of Maldouen first of Luss. He was granted the barony of Luss by Alwyn, Earl of Lennox in a charter dated 1150 AD. The name Rossdhu is derived from the word Ross which signifies a point or promontory which projects out into the Loch, and dhu which means black. So we have "Black Promontory." The date the castle was erected is not certain, but in a charter dated the 2nd of February, 1457, there is no mention of the tower house or fortalice, but Fraser asserts that the castle long pre-dates the charter. The charter granted by King James II to Sir John Colquhoun, Chamberlain of Scotland, erected the lands of Luss and others into the barony of Luss. Later charters of 1541 and 1602, however, made special mention of the tower, castle, and fortalice of Rossdhu. the castle is stated to be the main dwelling place of the united barony. It is known that Mary Queen of Scots visited Rossdhu on two occasions. In the next century, Sir John Colquhoun married Lillias Graham, the sister of James Graham, who would later become the celebrated Marquis of Montrose. James Graham was about 16 years of age at the time of the marriage, and came to Rossdhu several times to visit his sister. What is now Rossdhu are the remains of the old fortalice, and a newer Georgian mansion that has subsequently been subject to additions. There is also the recently re-roofed Chapel of St. Mary, where the chiefs of Colquhoun are buried. The new house was constructed in the 16th century and Sir James Colquhoun and the Lady Helen Sutherland, his wife, moved into it in 1773. The house was constructed in brick in the square Georgian shape quite close to the old castle. The house was a two story building with six windows on the front which faces east. There were additions made to the house in the early 19th century.

A pedimented portico was added, which was supported by two giant Tuscan columns. Also wings were added by Sir James Colquhoun 27th of Luss, about the same time. In a guide to Lomond published in Glasgow in 1799, Rossdhu is described as "the mansion house of Sir John Colquhoun of Luss. This is an elegant modern built villa, seated upon a beautiful promontory that stretches a considerable way into the lake, and is joined ot the land by a small isthmus. The domain in which are some excellent oaks, though small, has a very beautiful aspect from the road. The traveler will find the road here very romantic, the trees on each side forming a beautiful avenue." The exact date of the building of the Chapel is not known, but has been suggested by some as 12th century. The chapel is situated a few yards north of the old fortalice of Rossdhu.

It was probably used as a place of worship by the Barons of Luss for themselves and their dependents who lived at and around Rossdhu. The chapel was in a state of ruin for many years. Sir William Fraser in 1869 remarked "The walls are in good condition but the roof has long since disappeared. Below the stone floor of the chapel is the burying place of the family of Colquhoun of Luss. The inscriptions on the coffins are the only monumental records of the persons interred in the chapel." Since the property fell under care of the Loch Lomond Golf Club, the chapel has undergone some preservation work, and the building has been roofed in slates. The memorials have been cleaned so it is possible to read some of the stones.

"Rossdhu, the Home of the Chiefs of Clan Colquhoun" published by the Clan Colquhoun Society of the United Kingdom, 1998


Glenfruin



Despite the many legends that have been woven and embellished, it would seem that the raid into Glenfruin by the MacGregors and sundry lawless highlanders from various clans was just another in a continuing series of attacks undertaken by the Clan MacGregor, as it had done many, many years before. On this occasion, armed with a warrant from the king to raise men to protect his property, Alexander Colquhoun and his friends met the raiders head on.

From then on, retribution was swift and suprisingly severe. Today Glenfruin is relatively empty, but little else has changed along this quiet glen, and up on the hill at the western head of the Glen stands the monument to those who fought and died that day. The inscription reads:
Near this spot The Battle of Glenfruin was fought between Clan Colquhoun and Clan Gregor on 7th February 1603





The Kilpatrick Lineage



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