Johnstone Castle

Johnstone Castle, part of which still lies to the south west of Johnstone town centre was built around 1645 when Sir Loudovic Houstoun moved from the estate of Houston to the Lands of Johnstone. In 1771 and 1812 the Castle was greatly extended, the second development designed by the architect James Gillespie Graham left the original building largely hidden by a new castellated facade. In 1848 the Castle had its most famous visitor, the composer Chopin, who is reputed to have stayed for a month.

World War II

The Castle and much of its grounds were commandeered during WWII, partly for a German Prisoner of War Camp. There are reports that at one point they were guarded by Polish soldiers. Other reports tend to suggest that the Poles were billeted there. An OS Map from 1956 shows lines of huts called the Johnstone Castle Camp East which suggests there might have been other camps there. Strangely there are no huts shown to the extreme east of the site where we have been informed that the guards compound was and where we have found and photographed a number of hut bases in 2009.

There are also reports that following upon the Clydebank Blitz a number of huts were built on the site to accomodate families bombed out of their own homes.

Post War

The Castle and its grounds were purchased by Johnstone Burgh Council in 1956 for housing and the Johnstone Castle Housing Scheme commenced. Plans included the demolition of the Castle and most of it was demolished before a halt was called. The houses were required to rehouse Glaswegians under the Overspill plan as well as locals who were homeless. Interestingly the section of the Castle remaining was the oldest part and it remains today although it is now once again in private hands and is being converted into a residence.