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Hamilton Park is of great extend and beauty. On one side, it is bounded by the full sweep of the broad and majestic Clyde, while, at a distance of about two miles from the Palace, it is intersected by the river Evan, which runs between two lofty and precipitous banks, dividing the hill crowned by the Chateau of Chatelherault from the ancient forest of Cadzow, wherein stands the ruined castle, the residence of the family during the first period of its history. Cadzow Castle underwent several sieges. In 1515 it was invested by the Regent, Duke of Albany, at the head of a select body of troops and a train of artillery. It was then the residence of his aunt, Princess Mary of Scotland, daughter of King James II., and mother of the first Earl of Arran. Opening the gates, the aged Princess went out to meet her Royal nephew, and soon effected reconciliation between him and the Earl, her son. After the battle of Langside, in 1568, it was summoned by the Regent Murray, and surrendered to him. It was besieged in 1570 by the English, who came to assist the Regent Lennox against the Hamiltons; and again by the Regent Norton, in 1579, when the Castle was completely dismantled.


The foregoing is but a passing glance at the Hamiltons. It would take volumes to do justice to the theme. Even in the ruin of their costly home there is this consolation. Treasures of art, the accumulation of ages or the collection of a lifetime, may be dispersed; castles and palaces, reared at boundless expense, and associated with cherished memories, may crumble away or be pulled down; broad lands may be wasted: still History remains to record the achievements of other days, and to hand down the glory of the past.

Source: The Illustrated London News, No.2254—Vol. LXXXI, Saturday, July 15, 1882, p.70