Location of Dunglass Castle
Dunglass Castle, situated in West Dunbartonshire on a rocky cliff overlooking the River Clyde, is a 14th-century ruinous castle. It was designated as a Category B listed building in 1971.[1] It has been graded at high risk by the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.[2] On its grounds stands the obelisk memorial to Henry Bell, an early steamship pioneer.[3]
History
When built in 1380, Dunglass Castle served as the caput for the Barony of Colquohoun. The castle was attacked by Lord Fleming's soldiers from Dumbarton Castle in February 1569, but they were repulsed and Lord Fleming's half-brother was captured.[4]
It was ruinous by the 18th century and much of the castle and courtyard stone was taken in 1735 to use in repair of the quay following an order by the Commissioners of Supply. Andrew Buchanan of Auchentorlie ended that practice when he purchased the castle in 1812.[5] It was leased by the graphic artist Talwin Morris in July 1893 who remodelled the interior.[6] The house was sold in July 1899 to the parents of his friends Margaret and Frances Macdonald, and Morris's interiors were subsequently completely remodelled by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.[7] The bookcase is now in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland and all of Mackintosh's work has been removed.[5]
Art & Design connections
The castle took on a new historical significance when graphic artist Talwin Morris occupied it. By this time though, what is referred to as the castle is actually a large house built on the promontory, not the castle itself.
Morris certainly had a great influence on the form of the house that stands today. He was a prolific book designer and decorative artist working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly known for his Glasgow Style furniture, metalwork and book designs. He became the graphic designer for Glasgow publishers Blackie and Son.
With Morris being a leading artist within the Glasgow circles at the time, he was naturally close to others including "The Glasgow Four". These included the painter and glass artist Margaret MacDonald, acclaimed architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh (MacDonald's husband), MacDonald's sister Frances and Herbert MacNair. It was through this close network that Mackintosh got the commission from Blackie for Hill House in Helensburgh.
The next occupier was Charles MacDonald, a Glasgow solicitor and brother of Margaret and Frances. The Mackintoshs designed the drawing room and bedroom furniture at Dunglass . It is thought that Dunglass was the location of their first White Room which they further refined at Hill House.
Description
A large section of boundary wall remains, approximately 7–8 metres (23 ft 0 in – 26 ft 3 in) high, with a mixture of original and newer construction. A small conical dovecot also exists on the south wall but it is now completely ruined. Near the west end of the wall, and outside the south wall is a small landing place appearing to have been protected by a hoarding – some corbels for which still remains. At the north-west corner of the enclosure is a dwelling house, partly old, possibly dating back to 1590, but mostly more recent. The round tower is probably from the 17th century and appears to have been a pigeon house.[5]
