THE seat of Sir Archibald Spencer Lindsey Campbell, Bart., of Succoth, is beautifully situated on the right bank of the Kelvin, in the parish of New Kilpatrick, and about four miles from Glasgow.
In ancient times Garscube was included in the large district which formed the Earldom of Lennox. About 1250, Umphredus de Kilpatrick obtained a grant from Maldoven, Earl of Lennox, of the lands of "Colquhoune" in the parish of Kilpatrick, (1) and Garscube also was early in the hands of the same family. Sir John Colquhoun of Luss, who died before 1536, had a son James, who is styled "of Garscube." It afterwards belonged to the Earl of Montrose, who seems frequently to have resided there, (2) and in the reign of King Charles II. it was acquired by John Campbell of Succoth, Director Depute of Chancery. Succoth, which is in the parish of Cardross, had been acquired by Robert Campbell in 1616.
John Campbell of Succoth was the legal adviser and friend of his unfortunate chief and kinsman, Archibald Earl of Argyle. He was present with him on the scaffold at his execution and received from him a silver kylevine pen-case, which is still preserved in the family. (3)
His son Archibald, writer to the signet, married the beautiful Helen Wallace, heiress of Elderslie in Renfrewshire, descended from the family of the great Scottish patriot. They sold Elderslie to Mr. Speirs. A fine portrait of this lady, who died at Garscube in 1767, is preserved there. Their son was the celebrated advocate and judge, Sir Hay Campbell, Bart.
Sir Hay passed advocate in 1757, was Lord Advocate and member for the Glasgow district of burghs in 1784, and was appointed Lord President of the Court of Session in 1789. On his resignation in 1808, he was created a Baronet, and resided at Garscube, engaged in the management of his estate, and the performance of his duties as a country gentleman. Lord Cockburn says of him that "he lived like a patriarch in a house overflowing with company, beloved by troops of relations, and courted for his character and hospitality by many friends." He was Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1799, and died in 1823 aged eighty-nine years.
Sir Hay was succeeded by his son Archibald, a senator of the College of Justice under the title of Lord Succoth; he died in 1846. The late proprietor of Garscube was Sir George Campbell, (4) the great-grandson of Sir Hay. He died without issue. He succeeded his brother Sir Archibald, who had also died childless in 1867. Both of the late Baronets were much identified with Glasgow interests, and were deservedly popular in that city. The present Baronet succeeded in 1874. He is a first cousin of the late Sir George.
The date of the building of the original house on the estate is unknown. The modern Garscube House is a very fine building in the old English manor style. It was completed in 1827 from designs of Mr. Burn, architect.
(1) Chartulary of Lennox.
(2) "The 16 of September 1627 sends my lord to Garskube ane pair of boitts at 6lb. 13s. 4d; with twa pair schone 3lb. and drinksiller 12s.; ane pair ryding gluiffes 16s., twa pair scheverons 15s., with 2s. drinksiller. Summa, 11lb, 18s. 4d." (from the Factor of Mugdock's accounts, Memorials of Montrose, Vol I., p. 144). In the Earl's letters he often mentions "my hous of Garscub."
(3) Statistical Account of Kilpatrick.
(4) He is the eldest son of George Ramsay Campbell, formerly of the East India Company's Civil Service (a younger son of Archibald, the second Baronet), and Lucy Lindsey, daughter of Thomas Spencer Lindsey of Hollymount and Mary Hester Oswald of Auchincruive.
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