Old Bishopton
Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Old Bishopton
Classification Tower House (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Bishopton House
Canmore ID 43369
Site Number NS47SW 45
NGR NS 41943 72572
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/43369
- Council Renfrewshire
- Parish Erskine
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Renfrew
- Former County Renfrewshire
NS47SW 45.00 4190 7235
NS47SW 45.01 NS 4191 7249 Convent
(NS 4190 7255) The former mansion of Old Bishopton now forms part of the Convent of the Good Shepherd. Occupying a commanding site overlooking the Firth of Clyde, it has been a tall, L-shaped building of probable early 17th century date. Slightly later, both wings have been extended at a lower level, and there is much modern building to the S. The main block lies E-W, containing three storeys and a garret, with the wing projecting S (see plan). The original doorway is in the W wall of the wing; a passage admits to the two vaulted basement chambers of the main block, lit by narrow arrow-slit windows of an early type, which may indicate the incorporation of a still earlier fortalice.
Bishopton was the seat of the Brisbane family from the 14th until the 17th century; from them it passed to the Walkinghouse of that Ilk, and later to Lord Blantyre.
N Tranter 1965; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889
