Knockderry Castle is is considered one of the finest domestic interiors of its style in Scotland. The early house was designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson with further additions by John Honeyman and William Leiper for John S Templeton, the carpet manufacturer from Glasgow. Leiper had also designed Templeton's carpet factory in Glasgow Green. Andrew Carnegie penned his offer of funding for branch libraries on 15 May 1901 in Knockderry castle.