Cadzow Castle

Cadzow Castle is a medieval ruin situated a few miles outside Hamilton, Scotland. It sits on a gorge overlooking the River Avon in what is now called Chatelherault Country Park.

Now owned by Historic Scotland, Cadzow Castle was built in the 13th Century as a royal residence for Alexander II and Alexander III. It is said to have been a hunting lodge of the ancient kings of Strathclyde. Rebuilt by Sir James Hamilton of Finnart around 1530, it is here that Mary Queen of Scots stayed after her dramatic escape from Loch Leven Castle in 1568.

Having being destroyed by the Crown in the late 16th century, it was rebuilt in the 18th century to act as a picturesque folly within the parkland of Hamilton Palace.