Crookston Castle and Hill Presented by The Village Storytelling Centre and Friends Of Crookston Castle
Dates & Times
Sat 19 Sept
Drop In Activities and workshops around the castle on the hill: 13:00-16:00
Ticketed Castle and Hill Tours: 13:00-13:50, 14:00-14:50, 15:00-15:50
About this Event
Secrets of the Crookston Castle Hill
Celebrate the Autumn Equinox & Glasgow’s Deepest Roots.
Step onto land that has gathered communities for millennia.
This Doors Open Day, join us on Crookston Castle hill to honour the Autumn Equinox—the turning of the seasons and natural balance of day and night.
Inspired by the recent discovery of five ancient Bronze and Iron Age roundhouses right here on the hillside—the oldest homes in Glasgow—we invite you to experience the timeless power of community.
Walk through our Five Circles of Roundhouse Life, where ancient heritage meets modern celebration:
The Circle of Story & Song
Share timeless tales, local memories, and community music.
The Circle of Dance & Movement
Join hands for community dancing on the hill.
The Circle of Exploration
Take a guided tour of the castle and the newly discovered Glasgow urban prehistory site.
The Circle of Ritual
Connect with autumn through rituals of Gratitude, Letting Go, and Looking at the Future.
The Circle of Craft & Play
Enjoy arts, crafts, and games for all ages.
Bring along: Your friends, family, a picnic blanket, and your favourite cakes or autumn fruits to share.
Come gather in the circle, be inspired by Glasgow's ancient past, and welcome the autumn with us!
Image Credit: Karen Gordon
About this Venue
Crookston Castle and Hill
Crookston Castle is the only surviving medieval castle in the City of Glasgow. Perched on a hill in the heart of Glasgow, Crookston Castle is a rare survivor of Scotland’s medieval past.
Originally built in the 12th century by the de Croc family, the castle later passed into the hands of the powerful Stewart family, shaping its history for generations. It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots once visited the castle, standing under its ancient walls before her fateful battles.
The structure, now a scheduled monument, remains a proud reminder of Glasgow’s medieval roots. Today, Crookston Castle is a place where history meets community — a landmark waiting to be explored.
The castle now is administrated by the Historic Environment Scotland.
The Village Storytelling Centre, founded in 2000 by the community of Pollok, Glasgow, is the Scotland’s leading applied storytelling organisation and a centre for contemporary oral storytelling. The organisation’s vision is a world where people and communities are inspired, connected and heard.
It’s mission to improve and enrich lives across Scotland through the power of story is achieved through the work in their local community of Pollok and through collaborative projects with partner organisations, across Greater Glasgow and beyond.
Through weekly children, young people and adult programmes, community events and Village Storytelling Festival, the organisation explores the stories of people and places.
For many years the Village Storytelling Centre gathers and invites community to reimagine stories of Crookston Castle with outstanding Castle themed events and projects under their belt.
The Village Storytelling Centre has successfully organised Glasgow Doors Open Days events focused at the children, families and adults in the past with award winning track record.
Access Information
Useful Links
You may also like
Memories & Matinees: Thomas McGoran's Glasgow Exhibition
Going out to the Pictures on Sauchiehall Street: A History of Glasgow's Cinema Buildings - (Sold Out Now)