Crookston Castle On Film

Here's a link to the video that SWAMP recently filmed at Crookston Castle.

http://www.swampglasgow.co.uk/gallery/video/index.php?gazpart=view&gazimage=18

SWAMP saw the potential to use the castle as a case study for the young people to research and then record in situ...

SWAMP on Crookton Castle...

Yesterday, we ran a workshop with a group of young people from Swamp, who recently made a film about crookston castle. They told us what they knew about the castle (underground passages to Buckingham Palace!), what they liked / disliked about it and what they would like to see happen there in the future.

The 'thumbs up / thumbs down' exercise revealed what the group liked / disliked about the castle.

Whereas the 'pimp my castle' exercise gave the group the chance to come up with ideas on how to improve it... Ideas ranged from entertainers performing on top of the castle, abseiling down the side, quad bike tracks around it... to simple interventions like benches to have a picnic at or parking for visitors!

What do you think about Crookston Castle...?

Recently, we sent out a research pack to each of the 60 members of Crookston Castle. The packs aim to uncover people's thoughts on the castle: why they feel it is worth a visit, what they know about it, what they would like to see happen there and how they see it in relation to other visitor attractions.

The pack included 4 simple postcard exercises, that dealt with the past / present / future of the castle. Already, we have received several interesting responses and are looking forward to hearing more...

Thank you to everyone who has taken part!

Crookston Castle Stories Cont...

Here's a link to one person's story about Crookston Castle & the fond memories they have of the view...

http://story-box.co.uk/story.php?post=333

'oor castle in the sun'

While speaking to the gate keeper of Crookston Castle yesterday, she told us how the local young people refer to it as 'oor castle'. With the sun shining bright yesterday there was a variety of people enjoying their castle.
Here are a few of the people we saw out and about:

This little girl was so fascinated by the castle facts shown on the signs, she copied them down to read later at home.

We also chatted to a local youth group who were up at the castle filming the results of their research on it.

spot the castle!

Inspired by the notion that locals may not visit the castle regularly, but, always enjoy the view of it from their homes... Here are a few photos we took each showing a hint of the castle.

We would love to see the view of the castle you enjoy from your window...

Crookston Castle & a cup of tea...

Yesterday, we had the pleasure to talk to a few locals about Crookston Castle over a cup of tea at the village centre. They told us what they knew about the castle, when they visited it, the view they enjoyed of it from their homes and what they thought could improve it as a visitor attraction.

Frances: Remembers climbing up the castle tower as a child in the late 40's, she hasn't been up since but, has enjoyed the events that have been held at the castle... The castle was a place she also took her children when they were young. However she said "you've got to be fit to walk up the hill to the castle now!".

Tommy: Felt "there was no much up at the castle..." he believes a visitor centre, somewhere to have a cup of tea and maybe a children's play area would attract more visitors to the castle.

Betty: Enjoys the view of the castle from Lyoncross Rd... and would like to see what the castle looked like in its day.

Ena: Despite living in the area for roughly 43years, has never visited the castle. However, she told us "I have a great view of the castle from my living room window...". Ena also felt a hoist up to the castle would be good!

Janice: Lives on Brockburn Rd and enjoys the view of the castle from her bedroom window. She loves to see how the view changes through the different seasons (something to look out for!).

For those who are put off by the steep climb up to the castle, there are few parking spaces at the top so getting a lift up by car is always an option!