Mugdock Castle, Mugdock Country Park

Mugdock Castle, Mugdock Country Park

Mugdock Country Park was, at one time, the estate of the Barony of Mugdock, and home to the Graham clan from the mid-13th century.

The lands were purchased from the Earl of Lennox by David de Graham of Dundaff in the mid-13th century. Mugdock Castle was built by his descendants in the 14th century. The Grahams remained at Mugdock Castle until 1682, when they bought Buchanan Auld House, near Drymen. The castle fell into ruin thereafter. Parts of it were demolished in the 19th century by the antiquarian John Guthrie Smith, who built himself a Scottish baronial house among the ruins.

Smith's house was subsequently purchased by Hugh Fraser, owner of the House of Fraser retail chain, but was destroyed by fire in 1966. The estate was gifted by Fraser's son to Central Regional Council in 1981 for use as a Country Park.

This picture was taken on 13 March 2019.