|
Author
|
Topic: Overtoun Castle -- Dumbarton, Scotland
|
Bravehart
Member
|
posted 11-01-2000 01:37 PM
  
Greetings from Southern California...I was born in Overtoun Castle in 1955. At that time it was used as a maternity hospital.
I visited in 1971 and Overtoun was still a maternity hospital. I went back in 1976, it was closed up after being used as a youth hostel for awhile. I don't know the year it was built...and it may be too "young" to be classed as a castle and that's why it's not listed. Any information? Thanks.
|
wurdsmiff
unregistered
|
posted 11-01-2000 02:17 PM
You are quite correct in your assumption that Overtoun House is not a castle, ie it has no fortified features, and is too young in it's origins to have had earlier fortified features.
It was built between 1859 and 63 by the architect James Smith in a Baronial revival style.It has castle like features as decoration though without any genuine or functional defensive intent. It was quite massive compared to similarily designed buildings, and was built as a home for the chemicals magnate James White. His factories were active in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas where I stay (the local council is still cleaning up after him), his name and estate remembered amongst other ways, by the naming of local streets and a park. His son became Lord Overtoun, and the house displays amongst other things mock cannon, a ruinous folly and a battlemented bridge over the Overtoun Burn. The interiors were by
J Moyr Smith, and the estate now open to the public as a nature trail including climbing at Lang Crags. I have no idea of the current ownership.------------------
Demeure par la verite
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm Gordon. [This message has been edited by wurdsmiff (edited 11-01-2000).] |
john4703
Member
|
posted 08-30-2001 12:05 PM
For an update on what is happening at Overtoun House see http://www.overtounhouse.com
|
Janette McAndrew
Member
|
posted 02-10-2003 08:04 PM
Hi,
Iwas also born in Overtoun House in 1953 I have just discovered the website with lots of interesting information.
Janette | |
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
Castle Quest
