Buchanan Castle, Baronial mansion in Drymen, Scotland
Buchanan Castle is a baronial mansion near Drymen in Stirlingshire, now preserved as a ruin. The structure displays a central L-shaped tower, multiple corner turrets, and stepped gables across its stone facades that give the building its characteristic appearance.
Constructed between 1852 and 1858 for the fourth Duke of Montrose, this mansion replaced the earlier Buchanan Auld House destroyed by fire. The family used the property until the mid-twentieth century before it was abandoned and fell into its present condition.
The residence belonged to Clan Graham after acquiring the land from Clan Buchanan, marking a significant transfer of power in Scottish nobility.
The ruins stand roughly 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) west of Drymen and can be reached via farm tracks that pass through areas of dense vegetation. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven ground and overgrowth, as the site is not maintained.
During the Second World War, the castle served as a military hospital where Rudolf Hess received treatment after his capture in Scotland. This episode briefly placed the remote property at the center of international attention and connected it to one of the most well-known prisoners of war in the conflict.
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