Now located in
the midst of a housing scheme, most of this castle has been subdivided into flats.
Externally the structure comprises random rubble, with corner turrets, and a vaulted pend
through the middle of the building. The ground floor to the left of the gateway is now the
Nova Scotia Commemoration Room and it is this which is open to the public. Connected to it
is a vaulted room. The connection with Nova Scotia, the Canadian State, is due to the fact
that Sir William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, was born here in 1567. He was
James VI’s Lieutenant for the plantation of Nova Scotia and a noted poet. The room is
adorned with displays on the history of this scheme, as well as painted armorials
depicting the 109 Nova Scotian baronetcies created as a result. These were sold for three
thousand Scots merks (£166.66) each. There are also portraits of James VI, Charles I and
Sir William.
Menstrie was bought in 1649 by
Sir James Holbourne and sold in 1719 to Alexander Abercromby. Sir Ralph Abercromby
(1734-1801), who commanded the British Army at Aboukir Bay, was born here.
The castle was saved from
demolition in 1957 when a fund was launched to restore it. The architect was Schomberg
Scott and it was opened to the public in 1961. |
