Although of modern
construction, is built on the site of a veritable old castle, which had
a draw-bridge and moat, filled from the river Kelvin. Mr. James Duncan,
of Twechar, has, in his boyhood, crossed the draw-bridge. A small part
of the old castle is retained in the present building, which stands on
an outburst of trap or whin rock, although surrounded by swampy lands on
all sides.
Owing to the lamentable
illness of the proprietor, Mr. Burt Wright, we have been unable to get
any information of its history. It was long in the possession of the
Starks of Auchenvole, under the superiority of the Flemings of
Cumbernauld; and latterly came into the possession of the Wallaces, the
last of the name being well known in Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch. At his
death Mr. Burt Wright inherited the estate. The old castle of Auchenvole
was said to be haunted by a ghost, but since it was reconstructed the
rumour has died, and possibly the ghost also. |