Newton Mearns is the biggest town in East Renfrewshire and, to be honest, the rest of Scotland always forget about it because the name sounds like it is somewhere in England. It’s in this weird middle ground between Glasgow and Ayrshire, which doesn’t help with its lack of recognition. If you left Glasgow and headed to Ayr you would probably drive through it.
Newton Mearns has a Glasgow postcode, despite being halfway to Ayr and actually in Renfrewshire. Much like with Bearsden, this town is filled with the rich and affluent. There are few housing estates and the roads here are always salted in winter in case someone crashes their BMW and sues. Believe us when we tell you that gritting the roads is not a staple in Scotland.
Still, this is good news if you are in the area, as it really is a lovely place to visit.
A Little Newton Mearns History
The Pollock clan owned most of the area in the 16th and 17th centuries. After that, the largely agricultural land was passed to the Maxwell family. Later, the area fell into the hands of clan Stewart. It was never really contested nor was it considered tactically important. An ordinance in 1893 reported that it was a single street on the road to Ayr.
After the Second World War Newton Mearns was pretty much abandoned. It took the textiles industry boom in the ’60s and 70’s to reinvigorate the town. At some point, it earned a reputation of being the place where the rich folk retired to. To this day that is what it remains to be.
So if you were to spend any time in Clan Pollock’s lands, what should you do here? Five Minutes Spare found out to save you the bother.
Attractions in Newton Mearns
So what is there to do in this (very new) town? Let’s find out!
Greenbank House and Gardens
Found just outside of town in Clarkston, Greenbank House is a Georgian manor house that was built in 1763. It was designed by a Glasgow architect named Robert Allason; a self-made man who traded his way up through Port Glasgow to earn his own lands in the Caribbean. Asides from the fact that he traded in and kept slaves over there (a radical, unforgivable, and shocking thing for a Scot to do), the house he had built was lovely. You can spend a fairly pleasant afternoon roaming the gardens and wondering how much money it costs to pay their electric bill!
If you want to utter a curse or two in the Allason name while you are there, feel free.
The Avenue Shopping Centre
Since the early 2000’s this has been the place to shop in Newton Mearns. It has everything you need for your regular weekly shop, plus a few other goodies. There is your usual array of suspects: the chemist, the post office, the supermarket – and then a few places that sell clothes, too. A dang sight better than most Scottish towns can offer, but still only good enough to get three stars on Trip Advisor.
If you are in Newton Mearns and you want great shopping then hop on the bus. Glasgow is less than fifteen minutes away.
The 1813 Mearns Kirk
The church in Mearns was erected in 1813 and is still in operation today. In fact, it makes a stunning location for weddings and is one of the more beautiful churches in the central lowlands. Genuinely: when you picture a little kirk in Scotland to marry in, see this one or Fintry Kirk, which has a backdrop to die for.
Nowadays they only have a congregation of about 800 people so you can usually get in pretty easily. The attached graveyard outback is also hauntingly beautiful. Some of the graves are even older than the church.
Mearns Castle
Image: Complexli/Shutterstock.com
As well as a Kirk, they have their own Castle, too. Mearns Castle was actually a tower block bu8ilt for defensive purposes. It is now a Grade A listed building, which means it is of significant historical value to be worth protecting. It was built by the Maxwell’s in 1449, then given to the crown, then given back to the Maxwell’s, then given to the Shaw-Stewarts – and eventually fell to Historic Environment Scotland which have restored and preserved it.
You can visit it nowadays and it is a strange experience. It is always weird to walk in the footsteps of people long since dead.
Pollock Castle
One of the castles in the area that does still see some use is the former seat of clan Pollock. Pollock Castle is disputed in age but does appear on maps in the 15th century. It was largely rebuilt in the 16th century, then in the 17th, then in the 18th… it’s one of those that doesn’t have much of the original building still left. It’s a gorgeous old building though. The current castle was rebuilt in 2003 after being near completely demolished in the nineties.
There are a hundred or so old castles and manor houses in Scotland that have fallen into ruin. Pollock Castle is a great example of how these things can be rebuilt and brought back to their former glory. It’s great to see. You should go do that.
Where to Eat, Drink, and Party, in Newton Mearns?
So if you have to visit Newton Mearns, where should you eat? The best family meals can be had at Beefeater, The Castle. You should check out the Hungry Horse, too. Miller and Carter is better for a business deal.
If you want the best bar in town try the Hungry Horse mentioned above. The Swan Inn is best for a stiff pint.
Got Another Five Minutes Spare?
Although that’s all we have to say about Newton Mearns, you can find plenty of other five-minute Scottish town tours nestled in our pages. We have all the guides to all the places… or we will have, once our collection is complete. Hop on over the next time you have five minutes free and check out where your next trip could be… one thing is certain: when you travel with Five Minutes you will always see the best bits of any given place.
