Castle signpost needed on M74

Jul 17 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

BOTHWELL Community Council want to see the village’s historic castle signposted on the motorway.

The group pointed out this week that there is currently no sign on the nearby M74 to direct tourists to the 13th-century site, run by Historic Scotland.

The fortress by the Clyde, which played an important role during Scotland’s Wars of Independence, received 9500 visitors in the year 2007/2008.

Temporary Bothwell Community Council chairman, Bob Greenshields, said this week he hopes to meet with officials of Historic Scotland, the government agency responsible for the upkeep of the building, to discuss the possibility of putting up a sign beside the busy road.

Mr Greenshields commented: “There is a sign alerting motorists to Strathclyde Park on the M74, but nothing for the castle.

“Bothwell Castle receives many visitors a year and there are signs within the village, but nothing on the motorway.

“A sign on the M74 would help tourists know what turn-off to take for the castle, and also encourage more people to visit. Every year I meet people from overseas who are very interested in the castle, and the 600-year-old Bothwell Parish Church. I think the castle has the potential to be a bigger tourist attraction than it is at the moment, and putting up a sign on the M74 would go a long way in achieving that.”

A Historic Scotland spokeswoman said this week that they would be happy to discuss the potential of additional signage for the castle on the M74.

“This may support and promote visits to Bothwell Castle,” she said. “The Castle is very much endorsed by the local community - and it’s popularity is in evidence with day visitors from the region and beyond, as well as wedding parties and education groups.”