Introduction
Scotland’s Mugdock Country Park is a stunning natural attraction. The Mugdock Castle, constructed in the 17th century, stands in this beautiful setting. The park’s many picnic areas and paths make it perfect for day outings with kids.
Location
The beautiful Mugdock Country Park may be found just north of Glasgow, Scotland. The park is inside the confines of Cathkin Braes Regional Park, which is itself located close to the town of Mugdock.
Located between 200 and 270 metres above sea level, Mugdock Country Park overlooks the nearby settlement of Mugdock and, farther out, Loch Lomond.
Outdoor Activities
Route Map
Walking Trails
The trails in Mugdock Country Park are some of the best in the area. You may go exploring in the many lochs, forests, abandoned castles, and open fields. There is also a gift store, a playground, a tourist centre, and a Victorian garden for your enjoyment.
The nearby Peitches Moor is home to a tiny forest that guests may explore. Birdwatching and animal viewing are common activities here. An spectacular quarry filled with water may be reached by following a circular trail deep into the forest.
You may go for long strolls or quick bike rides at Mugdock Country Park. From any of the parking lots in the park, you may reach a variety of different paths. A tower in the park provides breathtaking views of the surrounding region. Stargazing is only one of several seasonal activities that take place in the park all year round.
The West Highland Way is accessible to visitors to Mugdock Country Park. From Milngavie to Braehead, you may easily follow the indicated trail.
Dumbrock Muir, a decommissioned quarry that now has a tranquil lake, may be found in Mugdock as well. Wild swimmers frequent this area.
Tree trail
Mugdock Country Park, located not far from Glasgow, is a beautiful spot to go for a stroll in the countryside. The grounds are open for exploration on foot, bike, or horseback. An orienteering course, a formal restaurant, and a playground are all available for families to enjoy. Stables for horses and pets, as well as a number of dining options, are also available.
In order to get a feel for Mugdock Country Park, take a walk along the tree route. On a little map, 50 trees are labelled to provide some context for the surrounding flora. The interactive map showing where each tree is located is the highlight of the path. On the map, there is an image of a tree next to a QR code.
The tree walk has an obelisk as a focal point. The obelisk, as its name indicates, is a massive spherical structure that displays a series of numerals and alphabetic characters. This is a contemporary tribute to the centuries-old hardwoods.
Cycling and Adventure at Mugdock Country Park
The park covers 270 acres and offers a range of activities, including cycling, horse riding, orienteering and walking. There is a visitor centre, shop and play park. The park is also home to Mugdock Castle, the remains of which are a historical site.
Mugdock is the site of several annual events. The Glasgow Mountain Bike Club hosts an annual Cyclocross race. Kids may participate in events like an orienteering challenge that have been specifically designed for them. Concerts and film screenings are held there often.
Several beginner-friendly bike paths may be found throughout the park. Additionally, a café and playground are available for the kids. Dog owners will find the park to be a haven as well. It costs nothing to enjoy the park. It is also located on the outskirts of town, making it an ideal getaway for city dwellers wishing to get away from it all.
To get to Gartcosh and Kirkintilloch, you may get on the Strathkelvin Railway Path, a fantastic pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. In addition to the park itself, Loch Ardinning, which is maintained by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, may be found there as well. Many people visit this lake to take in the scenery and go for a dip in the wild.
Points of Interest
Mugdock Loch – A Haven For Nature Lovers [1]
Mugdock Country Park is home to a freshwater lake known as Mugdock Loch. It is the biggest loch in the park and is a popular spot for fishing and observing birds. Inchmurrin Island, the largest of the loch’s islands, has been the only National Nature Reserve in Scotland since the year 2000.
The loch, which includes freshwater species including brown trout, perch, and pike, was formed by glacial activity during the last ice age. Mugdock Boat Club’s pier (on South Inch) provides a great vantage point for fly and spin fishers targeting these species from both land and sea.
A lot of people take strolls, go swimming, sunbathe, and have parties there throughout the summer. The site of a big flood is now a paradise for ecotourists.
The controversies that have occurred in the past are only one part of the fascinating history of the Mugdock loch and its water supply. There was a large underground water supply for the esoteric community of Glasgow, and it was known as Cuningar Loop. Large areas of grass and a few bogs are all that remain of the loch’s former glory. The folks who care for the lake deserve praise since it is now a thriving mesotrophic loch. Water treatment continues, but at this point, it’s safe for human consumption. The loch may undergo a major makeover in the future years, with the addition of new trees and shrubs and the possible return of native species. Unique hotels, bars, and restaurants are planned to develop in the next years, so it has the potential to become a major tourist destination as well.
Mugdock Castle [3]
The Lindsays of Glenesk erected a stunning castle in the Mugdock Country Park neighbourhood back in 1526. The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres formerly resided at the castle. However, since its owner departed Scotland in 1750, the building has been abandoned and let to fall into ruin. The walls, which formerly stood up to 5 feet in height, are among the remnants of the structure that may be seen today.
The Early Castle
The Early Castle at Mugdock may be found in Mugdock Country Park, and it dates back to the mid-14th century. They constructed it on a jutting outcrop of land near Mugdock Loch. On three sides, the hill offered a natural defence.
Four corbelled stories make up the Early Castle at Mugdock. The four stories were set out around an expansive courtyard. Midway down the southern wall is where you’ll find the main entrance. The lower wall is pierced by gun loops in the form of a keyhole, which stands in stark contrast to the arrow slots on the towers.
The bottom floors were a jail, and the owner now lives there. The historic fortress’s parapet walk afforded its guards a panoramic vista of the Clyde Valley below.
Within the walls of the ancient castle, they erected a massive palace. The estate’s architects chose to create it in a Scottish Baronial style. The structure itself was L-shaped. The inner courtyard of the mansion was home to the offices and the laundry room. With a bridge, they connected the mansion to the southwest tower’s ground level.
Mugdock Castle was an important stronghold in the Middle Ages. It was constructed on a rocky outcrop that overlooked a major thoroughfare and was surrounded on three sides by water for safety. The Great Hall was built somewhere in the 15th century. They enlarged the fortress by rebuilding its reinforced walls and fitting them with gun loops.
15th Century Expansion
Mugdock Castle was an important stronghold in the Middle Ages. It was constructed on a rocky outcrop that overlooked a major thoroughfare and was surrounded on three sides by water for safety. The Great Hall was constructed somewhere around the year 1500. They expanded the castle by rebuilding its reinforced walls and fitting them with gun loops.
The Graham family, who had possessed the estates of Mugdock since the thirteenth century, made Mugdock one of their primary strongholds. In 1458, it was elevated to the status of barony. One of David de Graham of Dundaff’s most important properties was located in eastern Scotland. Around the middle of the 13th century, he acquired territory from the Earl of Lennox.
The castle was renovated in the 15th century, and a new structure was constructed next to the original mediaeval one. There was a strong Scottish baronial influence on the estate’s design. They connected it to the preexisting South West tower, which has been dated back to the early 1600s.
The Victorian House
Mugdock Castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages, was renovated into a stately manor house in the nineteenth century. The castle has been upgraded to the highest classification of historic structures. In the counties of Stirlingshire and Dunbartonshire, Scotland, you’ll find Mugdock Castle, which is a component of the Mugdock Country Park.
An early record of Mugdock Castle was written on vellum on August 24, 1372. This legal document was an agreement about the ownership of property in the Boclair area. The castle was built on top of volcanic rock, and its walls looked to be draped. A courtyard ran across the middle of the building’s four facades.
In 1644, the Buchanans launched an assault on the castle, causing damage. After restoring it, the Graham family used the castle as their formal residence for many years. They also acquired Buchanan Auld House in the Drymen area around 1682.
The 2nd Marquis of Montrose paid the Campbells 50,000 pounds in 1647 to buy their fortress. It wasn’t until a fire in the 1960s that it was finally abandoned. They gave the castle and its gardens to the Central Regional Council in 1981.
The Castle during World War 2
During World War 2, they used the Castle at Mugdock Country Park as a base for anti-aircraft defence. The castle was used to train personnel from the Royal Artillery. They also used it as a training centre for Combined Operations. In 1981, they donated the castle and its grounds to the Central Regional Council.
Anti-Aircraft Battery at Mugdock Country Park [4]
The remnants of an anti-aircraft battery can be found on a small hill in Mugdock Country Park. Several of these batteries were constructed during WWII to defend Glasgow against a possible Luftwaffe assault. As far as we can tell, this emplacement was never deployed.
Glasgow’s defences in the early months of World War II included the use of the Clyde River. All along the Clyde River, several anti-aircraft batteries were installed. When enemy aircraft got close enough, these batteries started firing in sequence. Human males were responsible for operating them. There were camps and barracks there for the troops to stay in. During the war, they defended Glasgow’s factories from the Luftwaffe.
The Glasgow Battery was built in 1943 and was one of 44 similar installations built during the war. A powerful anti-aircraft battery, this structure had four cannons. There was also a command centre, an administrative structure, and a camp for personnel to stay in. The battery construction began in 1942.
One may get there by using the main trail that circles the park. The battery’s structures are partially underground and constructed of brick. Numerous auxiliary structures still stand. The AA Battery location is more intact than it seems in the following picture.
The red brick structure with a concrete floor that sits between the battery and the parking lot is somewhat low. Brick piers were used to fortify the walls. There are 3 separate rooms in this building. A ceramic pipe in one of the rooms angles away from the wall and toward the outside. There’s only one door there, too. Here, there is fewer than five feet of vertical space.
It is possible that the battery served as a refugee camp. The batteries may have received water via a concrete conduit in the structure. At one end, a gate suggests a possible entry or tunnel inside the battery. A sump could be seen in the southwest corner of the camp.
A tiny communications cabin may be found on the premises as well. The water cistern is located nearby. On the southernmost part of the property is a miniature gallows. An intriguing reminder of the baronial feudal right to a pit and gallows, the gallowhill has been a popular tourist attraction for many years.
Small dams may also be found on the property. These features may have been added along the line. Some remnants of a drainage system may also be seen. In general, the AA Battery site is rather tidy. There are also a number of informative plaques that do a good job of explaining the theme.
Additionally, there are multiple anti-aircraft trenches and a moot hill at this location. It makes me think of the baronial feudal rights to a pit and gallows that were formerly associated with the moot hill.
A number of other structures may be found there as well. Some of the structures they checked out are listed below. It was possible to name them and provide a short description of them. The first structure they came to had previously been characterised as a concrete water tank
Craigend Castle at Mugdock Country Park [5]
Craigend Castle is a ruin in Mugdock Country Park that was first constructed in the middle of the 17th century. Castle is in central Scotland, close to Milngavie. Its location between Stirlingshire and Dunbartonshire is very convenient. That area is a component of Mugdock Country Park. It’s a great place to go for all sorts of outdoor adventures, as well as educational programmes, cultural events, and animal displays.
Alexander Ramsay constructed James Smith, 5th of Craigend in the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1851, Diplomat Sir Andrew Buchanan purchased the property. It was in 1954 that William Wilson bought the home from the Buchanan family. The estate was up for sale in 2012 with the intent of transforming it into a community centre. The homeowners want to renovate the house and preserve its façade if they can get lottery and historical financing.
The structure fell into disrepair when the zoo moved out in the 1950s. In 1990, it was included to the “Buildings at Risk” list for the first time. When the zoo finally closed its doors, the home and its surrounding grounds were donated to the Mugdock Country Park. The home, however, has been severely damaged by the elements and now sits bare and abandoned.
Due to structural instability, the castle is currently off-limits. For the most part, only the tower of the castle has survived. At the centre of the south wall is a portcullis entryway. It seems that the structure was designed to resemble a mediaeval castle complete with curtain walls. Still, the castle’s four sides are adorned with square towers. Regency Gothic seems to be the style used in building the castle.
After being completely wiped down in the 1640s, the castle was rebuilt as a beautiful home in the 19th century. It has been included to the inventory of endangered structures. Even though the Central Regional Council has said that restoring the building would be too expensive, it still seems hesitant to dismantle the structure. The owners placed the home up for sale in 2012 in an effort to raise money for its restoration.
Mugdock Country Park – Home to Craigend Zoo
Strathclyde, a former British kingdom, including the present-day Mugdock region of Scotland. It is thought that the name comes from the fight between the Picts and the Britons at Mugdock in the early 14th century. There were also witch trials held nearby in the Middle Ages at a place called Drowning Pond. With the addition of a new perspective, the pond has been transformed into a scenic spot from which to see the castle.
During World War II, Mugstock Park was a military base and part of the Clyde Basin anti-aircraft defence system. It was also the site of the Mugstock Music Festival, which featured famous artists such as Emma Pollock. They have also used it as a cattle and sheep farm, as well as for a zoo. They briefly opened the zoo at Craigend Castle in the 1940s and 1950s. However, the zoo did not attract significant visitors.
Charlie the Elephant at Craigend Zoo
Charlie, the elephant, was ten feet tall and was born in India. When he was captured, he dwarfed every other elephants in the world. Hunters kidnapped him when he was five years old. They cornered his flock into an ambush.
Big Charlie was billed as the world’s biggest captive elephant by Butlin’s. He was crowned the “queen” of the British circus’s elephants. His career took him from the Scottish Zoo to the Chinese Circus in Singapore. In addition, he visited the zoo at Windsor Castle. Unfortunately, they had to sell Charlie to a Chinese circus when the Japanese attacked Singapore, and they eventually ended themselves in Ayr.
The castle of Craigend was bought by Andrew Wilson in the 1940s with the purpose of transforming it into a zoo. But he was worried that Charlie was too volatile and unpredictable to be around. How the animals would be handled at a zoo was another concern of his.
The grounds of Craigend Castle are now home to a brand new zoo. In 1949, the doors first opened there. It was rebranded as the Craigend Botanical Zoological Park in subsequent years. The amusement park was much praised. The castle had both a miniature train and tea rooms. Two of the chimpanzees were seen smoking cigarettes.
Gallows Hill at Mugdock Country Park [6]
Views of Mugdock Castle and the surrounding hamlet may be seen from the top of Gallows Hill, which also has an old burial cemetery.
“Gallows Hill” is derived from the Gaelic words gealach and galach, which mean “white” and “bare,” respectively. Since it is more open than the surrounding forests, that is probably how it got its name. It’s possible that the name “gallow” originated there since convicts were hanged there.
Gallows Hill, located in Mugdock Country Park, was historically used as a place of execution. Included in the park currently is the hill.
Visitors may explore the remains of Craigend Castle while taking a stroll on Gallows Hill. During the month of October, you may also visit the hill to take part in one of the Haunted Happenings activities.
A Drowning Pond, formerly used as a venue for witch trials, may be found atop the hill as well. Women were allegedly tortured and accused of witchcraft while being detained underwater. Those who managed to escape were publicly burnt at the stake.
“Gallows Hill” is derived from the Gaelic words gealach and galach, which mean “white” and “bare,” respectively. Since it is more open than the surrounding forests, that is probably how it got its name. It’s possible that the name “gallow” originated there since convicts were hanged there.
Gallows Hill, located in Mugdock Country Park, was historically used as a place of execution. Included in the park currently is the hill.
You may see the remains of Craigend Castle by taking a stroll up Gallows Hill. During the month of October, you may also visit the hill to take part in one of the Haunted Happenings activities.
A Drowning Pond, formerly used as a venue for witch trials, may be found atop the hill as well. Women were said to have been accused of witchcraft and kept underwater. Those who managed to escape were publicly roasted to death.
Witches at Mugdock Country Park
Mugdock Loch was more and deeper in the Middle Ages. There were a lot of uses for it back in the day. For witch dooking, it was a popular hunting ground. In addition, they put people to death there.
There is rumour that a haunted pond in the park was formerly used for witch burnings in the Middle Ages. Restored and remodelled, it now has a sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Mugdock Visitor Centre [7]
Mugdock Country Park has almost 2000 acres of woods, lake, and farmland, and its visitor centre is located right in the middle of it all. The tourist centre provides several services, such as restrooms, a café, and a gift store. Free parking, bike racks, and electric vehicle charging stations are just some of the special amenities offered.
Guided walks and family-friendly activities are just two examples of what you may expect to find on the visitors’ center’s varied and entertaining schedule. It’s the best place to get deals on souvenirs or a hot meal, as well as learn about the park’s amenities like restaurants and play areas.
Dumbroch Loch [9]
Scottish Water constructed Dumbroch Loch in the 1930s as a man-made reservoir. Once a source of water for the surrounding town of Dumbreck, it is now utilised for recreational activities including fishing and boating.
The Victorian Walled Garden at Mugdock Country Park [8]
The Victorian Walled Garden in Mugdock Country Park is a well-liked destination for tourists close to the Craigend Visitor Centre. The stables for the Craigend estate were the building’s initial use. Currently, it serves as a prominent garden centre run by horticulturist Colin Barrie and his team. If you have any queries regarding the garden or flora, he will gladly answer them.
Colin Barrie runs the plant nursery (sometimes called the garden) known as Mugdock Plantaria. Mugdock Plantaria is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s finest plant nurseries, and it plays home to several events all year round.
Wildlife at Mugdock Country Park
Mugdock Country Park is a stunning location perfect for a day trip, weekend getaway, or alone vacation. Activities for the whole family are plenty. There’s something for everyone, from mediaeval archery to adventure treks.
There are a variety of forest birds, such as green woodpeckers, in the park. Since the year 1969, the park has hosted osprey nesting. Viewing them from a hidden location is possible. An additional feature is a feeding station for red kites.
Remember to keep your eyes out for animals as you wander the park. In addition to the usual suspects like birds and mammals, you may also expect to see some unusual flora and fauna.
Remember to keep your eyes out for animals as you wander the park. In addition to the usual suspects like birds and mammals, you may also expect to see some unusual flora and fauna.
Pine martens, otters, and red squirrels are just a few of the park’s more well-known inhabitants; nevertheless, there are many additional species to watch out for. In the summer, dragonflies and roe deer are common sights, and you may also look out for the chirping of finches and chaffinches and the hopping of rabbits. And if you happen to be to Mugdock Castle in the early spring, keep your eyes out for snowdrops that have found a home in the tree canopies.
Places to Eat and Drink
Charlies Coffee Shop
Website: http://chunkymonkeyscoffee.co.uk/
Parking
Free Parking is available at numerous locations around the park. See map above for locations.
