My 7x GGF John Knox (1687-1780) married an Agnes Johnstone (1690-1782). So she would have been in her mid-40s by 1733. Before your video I wouldn't have even realized there is a town called Johnstone nearby or that this castle was named by a different family (Houston) who were remembering the town they were from (Johnston). Glad you've taken the time to share all this. Your last name's Griffith - I keep seeing Gryffe this and Gryffe that - like Gryffe Castle or River Gryfe - which I'm sure you know all about too.
@@rogergriffith286 I believe the neolithic stone carvings are at High Craigenfeoch, ( otherwise known as the Craigton Woods carving ) It's roughly 1.3 km north of Johnstone Castle tower as the crow flies.
@@rogergriffith286 Yes, sadly it had been rather disrespected and vandalised by ignoramuses yet still a fascinating site none the less. I hope you do visit again and place it in your excellent videos of similarly interesting ancient artefacts.
Fun fact: I'm descended from Clan Johnstone. My family immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900's. We still have our family's shield and sword with the Johnstone crest carved into it. It's so sad that it got demolished, and has houses surrounding it. I would love to gain citizenship in Scotland and buy the castle, and maybe even restore and renovate it so that it can regain some of it's former glory.
I help run Johnstone History Museum and we have a web site johnstonehistory.org I would like to put a link to your excellent video on the site. Would that be in order? Best regards Iain Murray
I lived across the street from this Castle. Unfortunately the additions have been so unsympathetically done it has destroyed a once beautiful building.
One of the more handsome castles of its type. Looks like they've kept it up nicely. I like the yellow trim on the variously shaped windows.
My 7x GGF John Knox (1687-1780) married an Agnes Johnstone (1690-1782). So she would have been in her mid-40s by 1733. Before your video I wouldn't have even realized there is a town called Johnstone nearby or that this castle was named by a different family (Houston) who were remembering the town they were from (Johnston). Glad you've taken the time to share all this.
Your last name's Griffith - I keep seeing Gryffe this and Gryffe that - like Gryffe Castle or River Gryfe - which I'm sure you know all about too.
Good to know that you found the video interesting. My surname is Welsh - Gruffydd, meaning 'red haired'.
Gryffe may be Cumbric in origin though.
thanks for the upload and info.Been here years ago,just looked strange with the house estate round it.
A pity they couldn't have left a park beyond the boundary wall
@@rogergriffith286 indeed
Interesting building I would love to see inside.
Was up for sale a while ago , you can still see the photos of the interior online
Hello Roger, Did you manage to see the cup and rings stone in Johnstone during your visit? If so, what are your thoughts on it?
Skiff Wood ones?
@@rogergriffith286 I believe the neolithic stone carvings are at High Craigenfeoch, ( otherwise known as the Craigton Woods carving ) It's roughly 1.3 km north of Johnstone Castle tower as the crow flies.
@@jamesmills4850 Sounds like the site I visited many years back. It had been vandalised with paint. I must go back with a camera.
@@rogergriffith286 Yes, sadly it had been rather disrespected and vandalised by ignoramuses yet still a fascinating site none the less. I hope you do visit again and place it in your excellent videos of similarly interesting ancient artefacts.
Were they not by the damnonii people , supposedly 9 tribes in Scotland but think the damnonii came from Ireland originally , not sure
Fun fact: I'm descended from Clan Johnstone. My family immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900's. We still have our family's shield and sword with the Johnstone crest carved into it. It's so sad that it got demolished, and has houses surrounding it. I would love to gain citizenship in Scotland and buy the castle, and maybe even restore and renovate it so that it can regain some of it's former glory.
A worthy ambition.
@@rogergriffith286 Thank you
Your clan were the border reivers clan ,
I thought the Johnstones were from Annandale.
One of the Border's clans if memory serves. Inter-marriage often resulted in the acquisition of lands elsewhere.
Don't think this has anything to do with the clan Johnstone , originally ihonstoun and thought to be John's town ,
When my lottery numbers bother to come that's certainly on my shopping list :-)
A fascinating place - the architecture is a study in itself!
It's bought and people live in it , also you wouldn't be able to expand as there's houses all around it ,
I help run Johnstone History Museum and we have a web site johnstonehistory.org I would like to put a link to your excellent video on the site. Would that be in order? Best regards Iain Murray
Of course - sorry to have overlooked your message!
I lived across the street from this Castle. Unfortunately the additions have been so unsympathetically done it has destroyed a once beautiful building.
Often happens - such as at Caldwell Tower!