[Gordon]

AULDHOUSE
City of Glasgow
Private, OS64 NS556605
Just west of B769, 2 miles north of A726, at Auldhouse Court, Glasgow, Private
Originally part of the Steward's Renfrewshire estates, Auldhouse was granted to the Maxwells with other local properties in 1344. There was probably some sort of residence here from an early date, either fortified or otherwise.
Normally described as a mansion, actually a fortified house, Auldhouse has been greatly altered over the years having been used as a children's home. Recently it was converted to flats, and the extensions removed to reveal the nature of the building.


On an L-Plan , this three storey house has a stair tower in the re-entrant, at the top of which is a watchroom. It has crow stepped gables, and is fairly compact when compared to similar houses. All the windows have been altered, those to the front giving a Georgian feel to the building. Those to the rear have been blocked up, with the exception of two tiny ones in the watchroom. Stonework above the 2nd floor appears to be of a slightly different date to that below, though later alterations may be partly responsible. Many original features may have disappeared, though apparently an original fireplace retains a lintel inscription of 1631;
THE BODIE FOR THE SAUL WAS FRAMED; THIS HOUS THE BODIE FOR;
IN HEAVNE FOR BOTH MY PLACE IS NAMD IN BLISS MY GOD T'ADOR.


George Maxwell, Minister of Mearns, or his son John, Minister of Eastwood and the High Church of Glasgow built it. The next Auldhouse Maxwell, George, inherited the lairdship of Pollok. He zealously pursued witches, and was involved in a witch trial at Gourock in 1676. A little later he believed himself bewitched when he suffered " a hot and fiery distemper". Later his effigies were found stuck with pins in the home of a local widow. She and her family were burned at Paisley with their effigies. Sir George recovered, only to die later that year. His son died childless, and the Maxwells of Blawarthill succeeded.

[Gordon]

From Canmore;

Quote

Archaeology Notes
NS56SE 47 55735 60531

(NS 5573 6053) Auldhouse (NAT)
OS 6" map, (1967)

Auldhouse is a composition of various periods from the 17th-19th century. The oldest part is a simple crow-stepped block at the SE corner. An inscription over the kitchen fireplace is dated 1631. The lands belonged to the Maxwells from the mid-15th to the early 18th century.
R G Cant and I G Lindsay 1947.

Auldhouse, property of Glasgow Corporation, is an unpretentious 17th century house with no outstanding features. It has been considerably restored, and is in good condition. The oldest portion, as stated above, is in the SE.
Visited by OS (J L D) 1 April 1954