A B-listed L-plan tower house, Haggs Castle lies in the SW of the Pollokshields district of Glasgow, 2½ miles (4 km) southwest of the city centre, to the northeast of Pollok Country Park. Built in 1585 for Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, this much-altered tower is the oldest inhabited secular building in the city and comprises three storeys and an attic. The vaulted basement once contained a kitchen and wine-cellar, while a hall with a fine fireplace was located on the first floor. Access is now through the former basement, which has been converted into a wood-panelled entrance hall, with dining room and kitchen. A master-bedroom now occupies the first floor and the drawing room features a barrel-vaulted ceiling with Rococo plasterwork.
It was used by Covenanters in the 17th century, but was abandoned by the Maxwells, who had built Pollok House nearby, and was derelict by the middle of the 19th century. However, around 1890, it was restored and extended by the family. A cable motif was added above the door and around the dormer windows. Slit windows and horizontal gun-loops are still in evidence. The property was presented to the City of Glasgow in 1972. It served as a Museum of Childhood until 1997 when the museum was closed and the castle sold to a developer. It has been sympathetically been restored as a private residence and stands in 0.7 ha (1.8 acres) of immaculate gardens. A cottage was built adjacent in 1900 and this now provides additional bedrooms, a billiard room and sauna.
