Attractions and Places To See around Kilbarchan - Top 20

Below the castle (with limited opening hours) there is the Castle Park, which is open all day and offers beautiful views of the castle. There is also the bowling club with a clubhouse and outdoor area. Here too, it seems that it is permitted to spend the night in a camper van in the car park. The large shops (including Morrisons and Lidl, with many snack bars nearby) are only about a kilometer away on foot, and the city center is similarly close (directly behind them).

Barr Castle is a 15th-century keep which was altered in the 16th century (and probably later, too). The gables of the castle have collapsed, apart from the chimney stack which juts up into the sky. Not much survives of the former courtyard of the castle. The main hall was on the first floor, reached by a turnpike stair, which continued to the rooms on the upper floors. It is clearly visible from the A760 road going south from the village to Kilbirnie. It was built by the Glen family but passed in the late 16th century to the Hamiltons of Ferguslie. A door lintel has a date of 1680 and the initials L.H./I.C. The family abandoned it in the 18th century in favour of a new house. The family, variously known as Sempill, Sempil, Sempel and Semple, had probably owned estates in the area from as early as the 13th century. Robert Semple, Steward of the barony of Renfrew during the reign of Alexander II, was recorded as living in Elliston Castle, whose ruins lie near Howwood. The Semples of Elliston fought for Robert the Bruce, and steadily grew in power to become the Steward's hereditary Baillies of Renfrewshire. They were appointed Hereditary Sheriffs of Renfrewshire and Hereditary Baillies of Paisley. They were later designated as Lords Semple. Their extensive land holdings, Castle Semple, constituted some areas of Lochwinnoch and its hinterland. At some point, probably in the 15th century, the family built a tower keep at the east end of the north shore of the Loch.

Dumbarton Castle is enthroned on the 73m high Dumbarton Rock. In its more than 1500-year history it was the scene of many feuds and skirmishes. Of great strategic importance in the Middle Ages, it always remained a suitable vantage point and place of refuge. David II hid here successfully in 1333-34 and Mary Queen of Scots in 1548 before they could flee to safer climes.

Castle Semple Collegiate Church was founded in 1504 to serve his castle and estate. John, Lord Sempill built the church which was then extended by his son to include the tomb of his father who was killed in the battle of Flodden. Today the church is partially ruined with no roof. The tomb is still visible and remains a good example of a medieval burial tomb.

Castle Semple Loch was part of the historic Lochwinnoch estate. It was a fishing loch and part of the wider drainage scheme that the estate owners created to improve the local land for farming. Today the loch is still used for fishing and water sports. There is a RSPB bird sanctuary along the southern shore and a network of paths and trails that are popular with families, cyclists and dog walkers in the wider Castle Semple Country Park to the north.

The oldest recorded stronghold in Scotland. It sits on a massive lump of volcanic rock, so you can imagine it would be hard to conquer! May be closed so check ahead if you're visiting.

Barr Castle is a late medieval tower house. It can be seen today as a ruin on a low ridge to the south of the village of Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Barr Castle was constructed in the 15th or early 16th century. It passed into the hands of the Hamiltons of Ferguslie at the end of the 16th century. They retained the castle until the late 18th century, when they sold and abandoned it for a new mansion. The castle is protected as a scheduled monument. Text taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barr_Castle

Open 24/7 History A late Gothic place of worship Castle Semple Collegiate Church was founded in 1504. The building itself was probably a remodelled existing building, possibly a proprietary chapel. It had lands and income to support: a provost six chaplains two choir boys a sacristan The remains of the buildings accommodating the priests and officials are likely buried in the area around the church, along with a cemetery. The church’s founder, John, Lord Sempill, intended the church to accommodate a spectacular tomb for himself and his wife. Sempill was killed fighting the English at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The church was extended to accommodate his tomb in a three-sided apse on the east side. Although it’s now without its effigy, Sempill’s tomb remains one of the finest examples of a medieval burial monument in Scotland. Passage to heaven The sole purpose of Castle Semple Collegiate Church was providing a place for priests to perform mass, for the benefit of the founding family. It illustrates the important attached in the medieval period to ensuring the speedy passage of souls through purgatory and into heaven. Text taken from: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/castle-semple-collegiate-church/history/