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SOURCE OF INFORMATION
COLLECTED
In the History section of Central Library the first book I looked at was
'The History of Johnstone' by P T Farmer. In chapter 15 he tells of the
Houstoun family and of how they acquired the castle and the acreage
surrounding it, known as the 'Castle Policies' a name that is still used
to this day. I have collected the following photostat materials some of
which tie up with much of what Mr Farmer has recalled in his book and
other interesting information on my topic:
JOHNSTONE CASTLE BY DAVID R SHEARER
Mr Shearer was Chief Curator of Renfrew District Museum and is now
retired. He starts off with the fact that the estate where this mansion
stood was originally known as Easter Cochrane and that around 1645 Sir
Ludovic Houston took this estate over along with an adjacent estate known
as Johnstone. Among other points he mentions how the Houston family
developed the coal mining industry in the 18th century. He also mentions
Frederick Chopin being a guest at the castle in 1848.
CASTLES AND MANSIONS OF RENFREWSHIRE BY MILLAR
This gives much information about the Houston Family, of how the ownership
of the land came about and of the beginnings of the town of Johnstone.
Johnstone Castle looks grand in the illustration.
JOHNSTONE IN OLD PICTURE POSTCARDS
The text tells of alterations being requisitioned by George Houstoun, the
4th laird of Johnstone, in 1771 and 1812, bringing about this castellated
design. As well as the mention of Frederick Chopin's visit, we are also
told of a fire in 1896, destroying shrubbery and young trees, which spread
over about a quarter of an acre, probably due to someone throwing down
lighted matches.
HAUNTED RENFREWSHIRE
In this book I found an interesting story ‘The Music Plays On'. It
concerned the Polish composer Frederick Chopin's connection in more
detail. Chopin' first introduction to the castle came from Jane Wilhelmina
Stirling, sister-in-law of the 5'h laird, Ludovic Houstoun. Apparently
rumour has it that there was a romance blooming and that some of his
compositions were dedicated to her. It appears that there were many
musical evenings in the castle during his stay. Unfortunately, Chopin did
not enjoy good health due to consumption, known today as tuberculosis.
He died in Paris, France, a short time after his visit to Scotland. It is
said that Jane Stirling and her sister Katherine Erskine helped defray the
funeral expenses incurred in France.
During the 2nd World War there were Polish servicemen billeted in
Johnstone and the writer says that he has seen the grave of one of these
servicemen in Rannoch Woods nearby the castle. It was a pink coloured slab
with a Polish inscription but it is now hidden by sprawling woodland
vegetation. The story goes that on moonlit September nights ghostly music
can be heard drifting out from the castle ruins across to Rannoch Woods
where the Polish soldier lies in the secret grave.
COPY OF OUR HISTORY FROM WEBSITE
@Johnstone History Section. On completion of my report I intend
submitting an article on Johnstone Castle to the website in the hope that
they will use it.
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