Mugdock Country Park Explained

Mugdock Country Park
Type:Country park
Location:East Dunbartonshire/Stirlingshire, Scotland
Nearest City:Glasgow
Area:2600NaN0[1]

Mugdock Country Park is a country park and historical site located partly in East Dunbartonshire and partly in Stirling, in the former county of Stirlingshire, Scotland. It is around 100NaN0 north of Glasgow, next to Milngavie (from which the park is easily accessible), and covers an area of 260ha.[2]

The park includes the remains of the 14th-century Mugdock Castle, stronghold of the Grahams of Montrose,[3] and the ruins of the 19th-century Craigend Castle, a Gothic Revival mansion and former zoo.[4] The park has a moot hill[5] and gallowhill,[6] historical reminders of the baronial feudal right, held by lairds, of "pit and gallows".[7] Also located in the park are the remains of numerous anti-aircraft trenches, which were established during World War II as part of the Clyde Basin anti-aircraft defense system.

The park was also the home of the Mugstock Music Festival, at which performers have included Emma Pollock,[8] Dodgy and Beats Antique.[9]

Natural features include the Allander Water,[10] Mugdock Loch[11] and Drumclog Muir,[12] all of which provide popular walking and cycling routes with tourists. Visitor facilities include a visitor centre and cafe in the former Craigend Castle stable block, and a garden centre and restaurant in the walled garden.[13]

The park is served by the Mugdock and East Dunbartonshire Countryside Ranger Service.[14]

The West Highland Way, a linear long distance footpath between Milngavie and Fort William, passes through the outer areas of the park alongside the local Clyde Coastal Path.[15]

Close again to the country park is Milngavie water treatment works, another popular walking and tourist attraction. It is situated just south of Mugdock and connects to the park via Drumclog Moor.[12]

External links

See also

55.9667°N -23°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mugdock Country Park . VisitScotland . 22 April 2019.
  2. Web site: Exploring The Castles & History of Mugdock Country Park . 6 March 2020 . www.lifeofgibbers.com.
  3. Web site: Mugdock Castle . 7 March 2020 . Castles for Battles.
  4. Web site: Criagend Castle . 7 March 2020 . britainirelandcastles.com.
  5. Web site: Moot Hill . 7 March 2020 . Mugdock Country Park.
  6. Web site: Our Built Heritage The Gallowhill . 7 March 2020 . Mugdock Country Park.
  7. Web site: The dark history of Scotland's drowning pools . 18 March 2016 . 7 March 2020 . The Scotsman.
  8. Web site: Emma Pollock headlines this year's MugStock Festival . 18 July 2016 . Nan Spowart . 7 March 2020 . The National.
  9. Web site: Hundreds expected to flock to MugStock as festival gets under way . 7 August 2015 . 7 March 2020 . Evening Times.
  10. Web site: 5 River Allander Circuit . 7 March 2020 . Bearsden and Milngavie Ramblers.
  11. Web site: Mugdock Loch . 7 March 2020 . Gazetteer for Scotland.
  12. Web site: Mugdock Country Park & Milngavie Reservoirs . 7 March 2020 . Ramblers Association.
  13. Web site: Mugdock Country Park . 7 March 2020 . Visit Scotland.
  14. Web site: Countryside Ranger Service - Practical Nature Conservation . 7 March 2020 . Mugdock Country Park.
  15. Web site: Milngavie to Drymen . 7 March 2020 . West Highland Way Management Group.