Calderwood Castle

Calderwood Castle is the site of a medieval fortress in South Lanarkshire that once overlooked the Rotten Calder Water valley. The remains include scattered stonework, foundation outlines, and sections of a defensive wall that trace the original layout of the structure.

The fortress was originally built by the Maxwell family and suffered structural collapse in 1773, after which its destruction was complete. The owner then constructed a new house on the estate with architectural influences from later periods to replace the lost structure.

The castle provided shelter to 200 Belgian refugees during World War I and later served as a quarters for troops in World War II.

The site is accessible on foot through local walking routes and is open to visitors without restrictions. Because the ruins sit in an open rural setting, visitors should prepare for exposed weather conditions and uneven ground surfaces.

A private railway platform named Calderwood Glen was built on the grounds in 1907 to bring estate visitors directly from nearby towns. The platform operated for several decades but is now abandoned, leaving only traces of the once-convenient access route behind.

Location: South Lanarkshire

GPS coordinates: 55.77181,-4.13429

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:03