Castle hotel
Crossbasket Castle
High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Level 5 True CastleLevel 5: a 16th-century tower with a 19th-century house added, category A listed. Some bedrooms are inside that historic fabric.
Some rooms inside the walls
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Crossbasket Castle is a category A listed castle hotel at High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, about 20 minutes from Glasgow. Level 5: guests can book one of nine bedrooms inside the historic tower and house, or a room in the newer estate hotel. It suits couples and wedding parties wanting a restored historic base close to the city.
Quick facts
- Castle Authenticity Scale
- Level 5: True Castle
- Where you sleep
- Some rooms inside the walls
- Built
- 16th century tower, with a 19th-century house added
- Architecture
- Tower house with later country house additions
- Heritage status
- Category A listed (LB1004)
- Bedrooms
- 9
- Star rating
- Five-star (Booking.com)
- Guest rating
- 9.2 out of 10 on Booking.com (September 2026)
- Dogs
- Dogs are welcome in all bedrooms, with a bed and bowls set up on request. They are not allowed in the restaurants except on the outdoor terrace, where a £20 per dog charge applies. (hotel policy)
- Restaurant
- Yes (hotel website)
- Weddings
- Yes (hotel website)
- Exclusive use
- Yes (hotel website)
- Listed on Booking.com
- Restaurant, Family rooms, Parking, Free wifi, Accessible rooms
- Last checked
- September 2026
The story
The story of Crossbasket Castle
Crossbasket Castle stands on the River Calder at High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, about 20 minutes by road from Glasgow. Historic Environment Scotland lists the building as category A, describing it as a 16th-century tower with a 19th-century house added (listing LB1004, designated 15 March 1963). Alexander Lindsay acquired the land in 1440, and the castle was later the dower house of the Lindsay family of Dunrod, whose main stronghold was Mains Castle.
In the early 1700s the estate passed to Thomas Peter, and in the 19th century to the chemist Charles Macintosh, who patented waterproof fabric during his ownership, according to the hotel's own history page. By 2010 the building had fallen into disrepair and was added to Scotland's Buildings at Risk Register. Owners Alison and Steve Timoney bought the estate and, according to the hotel, spent more than £10 million on a restoration completed over five years.
The castle reopened as a hotel and events venue in May 2016. In 2025 a separate 40-bedroom hotel building was added on the estate alongside new dining venues, and a spa and cabins were planned to follow.
The sleep
Rooms at Crossbasket Castle
Nine bedrooms sit inside the historic castle itself, described by the hotel as individually designed with period features and views over the grounds. These are the rooms to ask for if sleeping inside the old walls matters to you.
Additional rooms are in the newer estate hotel building, styled in an art deco manner, and there are private estate lodges with features such as roll-top baths and hot tubs. Cabins in the grounds, sleeping up to four, were due to open later in 2026.
Children under 8 stay free and children aged 8 to 13 are charged £50 a night, according to the hotel's FAQ page.
The table
Eating at Crossbasket Castle
The hotel operates two named restaurants, Foveran's and Trocadero's, plus an afternoon tea service, according to its own site. Breakfast is complimentary for guests and includes a buffet, a la carte options and a Bloody Mary station.
Dogs are not permitted in the restaurants, except on the outdoor terrace, where a £20 per dog charge applies.
The grounds
Around Crossbasket Castle
The castle sits on an estate beside the River Calder, with woodland and waterfalls that exclusive-use wedding guests are given access to, according to the hotel. Free parking is available throughout the estate.
High Blantyre is about 20 minutes by road from Glasgow city centre, and the estate is described by the hotel as a quiet setting close to East Kilbride.
What we'd flag
What we'd flag
- Not every room is inside the historic castle. Ask specifically for a castle room if sleeping in the old tower or house matters to you.
- Dogs are welcome in bedrooms for a £20 per pet, per night fee, but are kept out of the restaurants apart from the terrace.
- The estate hosts weddings regularly, including exclusive-use events for more than 60 guests, so a midweek stay may be quieter.
Who it's for
Who Crossbasket Castle suits
Couples and wedding parties who want a restored historic building within reach of Glasgow are well served, with nine bedrooms inside the castle itself and an exclusive-use option for larger groups. Dog owners can also book a room, subject to the terrace-only dining rule.
It suits travellers less well if they specifically want every room to be within the historic fabric, since many bedrooms are in the newer 2025 hotel building or the lodges rather than the original tower and house.
Where Crossbasket Castle is.
Map tiles from OpenStreetMap.
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Crossbasket Castle: questions
Is Crossbasket Castle a real castle?
Yes. Historic Environment Scotland lists it as a category A building comprising a 16th-century tower with a 19th-century house added, and nine bedrooms are inside that historic structure.
Can you sleep inside the historic castle at Crossbasket?
Partly. Nine bedrooms are in the historic tower and house, according to the hotel, while other rooms are in a newer 2025 hotel building and separate lodges and cabins on the estate.
Are dogs allowed at Crossbasket Castle?
Yes, dogs are welcome in all bedrooms, with a bed and bowls provided on request, for £20 per pet per night. They are not allowed in the restaurants except on the outdoor terrace.
Can you get married at Crossbasket Castle?
Yes. The hotel hosts weddings and offers exclusive use of the castle, with ceremonies in the James Little Hall and receptions in the Roosevelt Grand Hall, according to its own wedding information.
Where do you park at Crossbasket Castle?
The hotel says free parking is available throughout the estate for guests.
Sources and checks
Last checked: September 2026. We checked these sources for this page. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- portal.historicenvironment.scot: listed status, category A, tower and house dates
- crossbasketcastle.com: ownership history, restoration, reopening date
- crossbasketcastle.com: room types, number of castle bedrooms, cabins
- crossbasketcastle.com: dog policy, parking, check-in, dining
- yourscottishwedding.co.uk: exclusive use wedding details, capacity