My personal blog as a 'grown-up' Goth and Romantic living in the Highlands of Scotland. I write about the places I go, the things I see and my thoughts on life as a Goth and the subculture, and things in the broader realm of the Gothic and darkly Romantic. Sometimes I write about music I like and sometimes I review things. This blog often includes architectural photography, graveyards and other images from the darker side of life.

Goth is not just about imitating each other, it is a creative movement and subculture that grew out of post-punk and is based on seeing beauty in the dark places of the world, the expression of that in Goth rock. It looks back to the various ways throughout history in which people have confronted and explored the macabre, the dark and the taboo, and as such I'm going to post about more than the just the standards of the subculture (Siouxsie, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, et al) and look at things by people who might not consider themselves anything to do with the subculture, but have eyes for the dark places. The Gothic should not be limited by what is already within it; inspiration comes from all places, the key is to look with open eyes, listen carefully and think with an open mind..

Monday, 21 July 2014

Douglas Castle Gatehouse

Sometimes beautiful things are found in unexpected places.
Quite grand for a picnic area
During the school's Easter holiday break, Raven and I went on a road-trip down South to and through Wales, and then back North through England and then to Glasgow back in Scotland. On that trip, we came across Cairn Lodge motorway service station, near Happendon, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It was a particularly unexciting service station with canteen food and dry chocolate muffins, and right until I looked out of the service station window, I would have quickly forgotten about it. 

I love arches!
Behind the service station is what remains of the gatehouse and stable-block, as pictured pretty much in full in the first photograph. I have not been to Douglas Castle, but all that now remains, apart from these parts of the stable-block, is one tower. According to ::this Wikipedia article::, a vast country residence in the Gothic style was planned, but once begun never completed, and in 1938 the castle had to be demolished after nearby mining caused subsidence issues. Interestingly, it was the 13th Earl of Home, who sanctioned the mining, and did so with the philanthropic idea to relieve unemployment in the local area. I guess 13 can be an unlucky number for some. It is apparently the inspiration for 'Castle Dangerous' by Walter Scott. 

I don't know if the stables are now a private
residence or staff area. Either way, not a castle.
I, of course had to take photographs. It seems a reflection of the modern age that all the grand Gothic architectural ambitions of the medieval noble House of Douglas have come to being a lone tower and an amusement for tourists in a motorway service station car-park. All is transient. 

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4 comments:

  1. Lexington the 1st21 July 2014 at 12:08

    Yay! More lovely pictures! Might have to call it castle porn or something... I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The HouseCat21 July 2014 at 13:32

      I have this weird vision of two anthropomorphic castles trying to mate and it is disturbing me! :P

      There are going to be castles and graveyards and all sorts all week.

      Delete
  2. Fiona C. 21 July 2014 at 13:53

    I can't ever remember going here, despite living in South Lanarkshire. I find it amusing, however, that you've now visited my area of residence and I yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The HouseCat22 July 2014 at 12:54

      I think you'd only go there if you went to the motorway service station as it is LITERALLY in the rear grounds of the actual service station.

      If you spot a recorder-playing Goth in Inverness, that's me.

      Delete

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