Glasgow schoolchildren and volunteers have uncovered up to seven round houses dating to the Iron or Bronze Age near Glasgow’s last surviving medieval castle.
15:26, 14 Apr 2026Updated 16:05, 14 Apr 2026
Prehistoric village discovered in Glasgow by community(Image: Gibson Digital)
A community archaeology project has uncovered a prehistoric settlement which could change the history of Glasgow as we know it.
The discovery of up to seven round houses dating to the iron or bronze ages was made by local schoolchildren and volunteers near Glasgow’s last surviving medieval castle. The find was made during a three-day geophysical survey carried out last August by volunteers from the Friends of Crookston Castle, working alongside specialist archaeologists from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
Crookston Castle has stood proud above Pollok since its construction in the 1400s. The site, which was previously known to have earthworks dating back as early as the 1100s, has played a key role in the area’s history, including the time when Edinburgh Castle’s Mons Meg was used to bring down the walls after the Stewarts rebelled against James IV in 1489.
Now the latest discovery could change what is known about the area and the settlement of Glasgow and prove to be ‘one of the most significant community archaeology finds in recent years’.
Hidden beneath a field just beyond the castle’s moat, the survey revealed the remains of large circular timber buildings characteristic of the bronze and iron ages, alongside a palisaded enclosure that may once have surrounded them. The survey had initially sought to answer longstanding questions about the medieval castle, including the possible location of a 12th-century chapel and the layout of its outer defences, when the discovery was made.
Crookston Castle
“This isn’t just a medieval site, it’s now part of a much deeper human story,” said David McDonald, the chairperson of the Friends of Crookston Castle. He added: “This is a remarkable moment for Crookston and for Glasgow. We knew this castle had more stories to tell but none of us expected to find evidence of an entire prehistoric community living here. In just three days, our volunteers helped uncover something lost for thousands of years and that will help rewrite the early history of this place.”
The survey, funded by the Castle Studies Trust, also shed new light on the castle itself. Within the area enclosed by the medieval moat, surveys identified structural remains consistent with a Chapel built by Robert Croc around 1180 as well as evidence of walls, possible entrances, and internal buildings within the castle’s defended enclosure.
Coal mining activity, possibly dating as far back as the medieval period, was also identified, a discovery the team believes may finally explain the longstanding local legend of a secret tunnel running from the castle to Paisley Abbey. No tunnel was found, but evidence of old mine workings beneath the field could plausibly have given rise to the story over centuries.
Pupils from five local schools, Crookston Castle Primary School, Rosshall Academy, St Marnock’s Primary School, St Monica’s Primary School and Castlehead High School took a hands-on part in the survey using specialist equipment and putting questions directly to the archaeologists.
Further investigation, including potentially targeted excavation, is now being explored. The Friends of Crookston Castle, who are looking for volunteers, now hope to secure funding.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the team here.