Birkwood House (Castle) is a Grade B listed building, a 19th centuary castellated gothic mansion with towers, turrets and crenellated parapets. Originally the seat of the McKirdy family, it was designed prior to 1859 by the Glasgow architect John Baird.

Birkwood was purchased in 1920 by Lanarkshire Council for use as a ‘Certified Institution’ for children with psychiatric and learning difficulties. The hospital began relocating patients in 2002 and closed in 2005. It now remains vacant but the interior retains many original features. Plans to turn the now deteriorating building into a hotel fell through when the developers went into receivership in 2011.

Locals are very concerned that Birkwood is being allowed to deteriorate beyond repair. It cannot be allowed to follow the fate of many other magnificent buildings in Scotland.

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-7698-birkwood-house-lesmahagow