Haggs Castle

Haggs Castle is a stone tower house with an L-shaped layout that rises four stories in Glasgow's Pollokshields area. The main block stretches roughly 17 meters in length and features carefully carved stonework throughout, with decorative string courses marking each floor level.

Sir John Maxwell and Margaret Conyngham commissioned this tower in 1585 to replace an older castle where they had lived previously. The structure served as their main residence for over 150 years before the family moved to a newer estate in the 18th century.

The Maxwell family shaped the identity of this place over generations as prominent landowners in the Glasgow area. The building remains a window into how Scottish gentry lived and managed their estates during the early modern period.

The building sits in a residential neighborhood and is visible from the street, but functions as a private home today so interior access is not available. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when the carved stonework and overall form of the structure are easiest to see and photograph from public areas.

The entrance displays carved stone inscriptions recording the names of the original builders and the date 1585 directly into the stonework. This practice of marking a building with the builders' names and construction year was common among Scottish gentry and offers a rare glimpse into who commissioned the work.

Location: Glasgow City

Location: Glasgow

GPS coordinates: 55.83640,-4.29602

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46