page_title: Lands of Elliston
section_title: Communications
hierarchical_section_title: Lands of Elliston / Communications
caption_attribution_description: English: The old Linnister Farm lane, Howwood, East Renfrewshire, Scotland
context_page_description: The lands of Elliston, previously Elliotston or Eliotstoun or Elliestoun in the Parish of Lochwinnoch were part of the holdings of the Barony of Elliston, later a part of the Castle Semple barony and estates. The ruins of the castle lie a short distance from Howwood in Renfrewshire in a private garden on a minor road between the A737 and the B776. The name may have derived from earlier holders of the lands, however the Sempill family held them since at least 1220. The castle was abandoned circa 1550 when John Sempill, 1st Lord Sempill moved to a new castle at Castleton which he renamed Castle Semple.
context_section_description: The tower of Elliston guarded the important land route to the south at a time when no road existed closer to Lochwinnoch. This route was the Beith to Paisley Road as clearly marked on Roy's 1747 map that ran up from Beith, ran near Beltree farm passed Earlston Farm and the demolished Ward House through the Linnister Glen and the ruined Linnister Farm to cross the Elliston Burn. The old road continued up the valley side to run past the castle, then across the neighbouring fields before entering via Low Howwood along the remaining section of the road that then runs passed Glenfall House (Aitkins whinstone Quarry site), originally continuing on to George Street across land now built on; George Street has therefore become a cul-de-sac.
caption: The old Paisley to Beith Road near the site of Linnister Farm.
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