09-05-2025
Crossbasket Castle review: where the 17th century meets the Roaring Twenties
'Well, I wasn't expecting that,' I say to my friend as we retire to bed, ears ringing. Behind its crenellated classic appearance, Crossbasket Castle, which reopened in March after a £20 million facelift, hides a big surprise.
Midway between Hamilton and East Kilbride, the building began life as a 15th-century tower, expanding to full baronial-style castle status in the 17th century. A litany of wealthy 18th and 19th-century owners includes Charles Macintosh of raincoat fame.
On first inspection, it's exactly as you'd expect a £195-a-night castle hotel to be: think afternoon tea with three types of Taittinger champagne, polished off on floral fireside sofas in grand drawing rooms. Dramatic oil paintings hang above mighty fireplaces; bedrooms in the main house are styled with claw-footed bath
