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All the United Kingdom Scotland Johnstone Johnstone Castle

Johnstone Castle

A 16th-century castle unexpectedly nestled within a post-war housing development.

Johnstone, Scotland

Added By
Jonny Keen
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Castle in the neighbourhood   ScatterhouseMomCEO / Atlas Obscura User
Johnstone Castle.   Jonny Keen / Atlas Obscura User
Johnstone Castle.   Jonny Keen / Atlas Obscura User
Johnstone Castle.   Jonny Keen / Atlas Obscura User
Johnstone Castle.   Jonny Keen/cc by-sa 3.0
Johnstone Castle   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Johnstone Castle isn't in the usual setting for such an old, storied building. You won't find any snow-capped mountains or black woodland here. Instead, the remains of this 16th-century castle are surrounded by ordinary terraced homes, with the castle forming the center point of a post-war housing development.

The castle itself originally belonged to the Laird of Houston. In time, it passed through the hands of Archbishops and other nobility. By coincidence, the listed building played host to a number of Polish guests over the years. First was famed composer Fredric Chopin, who stayed as a guest in the castle in 1848. Less than 100 years later, Polish soldiers were billeted on the grounds during the Second World War. Afterward, it saw service as a POW camp.

Brought into private ownership and refurbished in 2001, Johnstone Castle is now a private dwelling, but visitors can read the plaques and information boards on the street outside.

Related Tags

Castles Architectural Oddities Architecture

Know Before You Go

There's no entry to the castle itself, but visitors can walk the perimeter of the grounds where there are some plaques and information boards to read.

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Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

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Added By

Jonny Keen

Edited By

Jaszmina Szendrey, ScatterhouseMomCEO

  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • ScatterhouseMomCEO

Published

October 17, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.britainirelandcastles.com/Scotland/Renfrewshire/Johnstone-Castle.html
  • https://canmore.org.uk/site/273038/johnstone-castle-johnstone-castle-camp-german-working-camp-no-188
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/28/a1989228.shtml
Johnstone Castle
14 Hawthorn Ave
Johnstone, Scotland, PA5 0EE
United Kingdom
55.827904, -4.507594
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Johnstone History Museum

Johnstone, Scotland

miles away

Paisley Witches Memorial

Paisley, Scotland

miles away

Kenmure Hill Temple

Johnstone, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Johnstone

Johnstone

Scotland

Places 3

Nearby Places

Johnstone History Museum

Johnstone, Scotland

miles away

Paisley Witches Memorial

Paisley, Scotland

miles away

Kenmure Hill Temple

Johnstone, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Johnstone

Johnstone

Scotland

Places 3

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