With a surplus of abandoned buildings and ancient ruins scattered throughout the country it is no wonder why Scotland has earned a reputation as a place rich in mythology and rumours of haunted locations. For example, Scotland’s castles - of which Visit Scotland estimates there were once as many as 3,000 - correspond to Scottish clans and remind us of our bloody history with hard-fought battles that forever shaped Scotland into what it is today.
The Scottish architectural legacy is one world-famous for good reason with other incredible examples of craftsmanship like our revered churches and influential Scottish figures like Charles Rennie Mackintosh. However, in the modern era many of these majestic buildings have been left to withstand the punishment of time without any sort of maintenance or repair, leaving a wealth of stunning architecture to perish.
That’s why we asked our Scotsman readers: “What abandoned building or ruin in Scotland would you like to see restored?" In response, we received a treasure trove of inspired nominations that we have collated into this list of twenty-five Scottish buildings that we would like to see restored to their former glory.
9. People’s Palace and Winter Gardens
When first built the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens acted as a museum and meeting space for Glasgow residents. The Glasgow West End website adds: “Originally, the Winter Gardens was built as a hall for music and in the last 120 years, music of all kinds has been played there. It was the base of the Glasgow International Folk Festival during the 1980s, and groups came from many countries to perform inside, and also on the Green.” | via WikiCommons
10. Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle is a ruin that sits on a rocky peninsula next to Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute. It was first constructed around 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell, first Lord of Glenorchy, as a five-storey tower house with a courtyard defended by an outer wall. It was used as the base for the Campbells of Glenorchy. | © Steve Partridge
11. Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Dunfermline Palace (in Fife) is a ruined Scottish royal palace. It was the personal residence of James VI’s queen, Anna of Denmark. Charles I was born there in 1600 who was the last monarch to be born in Scotland. However, royal interest in the property waned after James and Anna left for London in 1603, it has since fallen into a state of disrepair. | via WikiCommons
12. Lennox Castle
The Scots Baronial mansion is now abandoned nearby Lennoxtown in a site that overlooks the Campsie Fells and Clachan of Campsie. It was built between 1837 and 1841 by David Hamilton for John Lennox Kincaid on the Lennox of Woodhead Estate. However, by 1927 the property was purchased by the Glasgow Corporation who turned it into a hospital for people with learning disabilities which opened in 1936. | Valentine Kulikov on Pexels