MOH and I met No. 2 son and went to visit Newark Castle on the banks of the Clyde at Port Glasgow.

Originally built in 1478 by George Maxwell the castle was a tower house within a walled enclosure entered through a large gatehouse. It is thought that there would have been a hall and ancillary buildings such as a bakehouse and brew house inside the walled enclosure.

In the 16th century the castle was inherited by Sir Patrick Maxwell who was a powerful friend of King James VI of Scotland. He was notorious for murdering two members of a rival family and beating his wife who left him after giving birth to 16 children. In 1597 Sir Patrick expanded the building, constructing a new north rangewhich replaced the hall with a three storey Renaissance mansion. At this time the defensive wall was demolished and all that remains is the north east towe, which was converted into a doocot.

It was a bonus having No. 2 with us as, being an archaeologist, he points out a lot of features that you would otherwise miss.

Unfortunately I made the cardinal sin of forgetting to check if my camera battery was charged and this is the only picture I got before the camera shut down.

So here it is ....... Newark Castle in all it's magnificent splendour