Cambusnethan Priory

Cambusnethan priory is a large mansion house designed by James Gillespie Graham for the Lockhart family of Castlehill after the old mansion burned down in 1810. Parts of the old mansion seem to have dated back to a tower founded by the Baird family in the early 14th century, perhaps on a previously fortified site. However, all trace of these buildings were cleared from the site prior to the 19th century works. It is in private hands, and a local heritage group is actively seeking to find ways to save and restore the building. This consists of a rectangular central block containing the stairs, with squarish wings to each side, one of which has a large has a large octagonal tower – on the three remaining corners are tall narrow turrets. The whole building is an excellent example of gothic architecture.

The oval platform upon which the mansion stands may be an echo of a 12th century earthwork castle, but as yet this is unproven. During the reign of Robert Bruce it was granted to Robert Baird, who became sheriff of Lanarkshire and  founded a tower here, which passed to the next sheriff on Baird’s death. Passing to the Somervilles by marriage c1390, after about a century a large hall block was added to the rear. Lord Somerville was forfeited in 1525 and Cambusnethan was granted to the Hamiltons, who added a large three storey house to the front before finding themselves forfeited, at which point the Somervilles reclaimed it. Debts from the mid 17th century forced the sale of the property and in 1661 Cambusnethan was sold off, and the building demolished. An image of the old House can be seen on Canmore. It was then purchased by the Lockhart family, later known as Sinclair-Lockhart, but the Old House burned down in 1810, leading to the commissioning of the new mansion, completed by 1816. The house remained in use until 1985, when a fire badly damaged it. Since then it has sadly been left to the elements, and subjected to vandalism.

HES Canmore database entry

Friends of Cambusnethan priory website