05/08/2026
Anyone recognise anyone here ?
A blast from the past... 🏰⚔️
This photograph was taken by Martin Shields Photography in 1990 and published in the Glaswegian.
It captures local children dressed as medieval knights campaign to "Save Crookston Castle".
In 1989 then MP for Pollok Jimmy Dunnachie highlighted a controversial proposal from the Scottish Office of the UK Government to withdraw funding and support for the castle including its on site custodian.
Mr Dunnachie stated this "crazy decision" would risk the Castle's future saying "vandals are already making their mark, they have mounted a relentless attack on the unguarded monument" and he feared the Castle could "be lost forever."
Political and community pressure saw the proposals dropped and a few years later the Castle became part of Historic Environment Scotland.
More than three decades on, this is another reminder of how local people have always been the Castle's greatest defender and we're proud to be carrying on that tradition.
The young knights in this photo will now be in their 40s and 50s. We'd love to know... are you in this photograph? Do you remember taking part? What are your memories of the campaign?
Perhaps some of are still guardians of the castle today. If you're one of them, or you recognise someone who is, please tag them and share your memories in the comments.
A huge thank you to Martin Shields for sharing this fantastic piece of Crookston Castle's history with us.
