Castles of Clan Buchanan

Buchanan Auld House
Buchanan Auld House, near Drymen in Stirlingshire, was the historic seat of the chiefs of Clan Buchanan from the 13th century until 1682. The original castle was built on lands granted to the family by the Earls of Lennox and served as the clan’s main residence for centuries. After the death of the last chief in the direct line, the estate passed out of Buchanan hands and was later rebuilt by the Graham family in the 18th century. The house burned down in 1852, and its remains are now part of the courtyard near Buchanan Castle golf course. Though in ruins, it remains the symbolic heart of Clan Buchanan.

Leny Castle and Leny House
Leny Castle, near Callander in Perthshire, was the seat of the Buchanans of Leny, a prominent cadet branch. The original medieval tower was destroyed after the Battle of Flodden in 1513 and not rebuilt. A new residence, Leny House, was constructed on the site in later centuries, incorporating parts of the earlier structure. The estate remained with the family and still reflects the clan’s historic presence in the region. The house stands at the gateway to the scenic Leny Gorge.

Arnprior Castle (House of Arnprior)
Arnprior Castle, in Stirlingshire near Kippen, was the home of the Buchanans of Arnprior. This cadet branch rose to prominence during the 15th and 16th centuries. One laird earned the nickname “King of Kippen” for entertaining King James V under humorous circumstances. The original fortified house stood until the 18th century but has since vanished, with only local tradition marking the site. Arnprior remains notable for its unique place in clan lore.

Leuchat Castle
Leuchat Castle in Fife was the seat of the Buchanan of Spittal family, a lesser-known sept of Clan Buchanan. The small coastal castle was active from the 1500s to the 18th century. It has since disappeared, though 17th-century maps identify its location. The Spittal Buchanans were part of the broader spread of the clan beyond their Lennox homeland. Leuchat’s inclusion illustrates the diversity of Buchanan holdings across Scotland.

Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Buchanan

Buchanan Castle
Buchanan Castle, near Drymen, was built by the Dukes of Montrose in the mid-19th century after the destruction of Buchanan Auld House. Though never held by Clan Buchanan, it stands on the clan’s ancestral land. The Gothic Revival mansion served as a military hospital during WWII and was later abandoned. Its roof was removed in the 1950s, but its stone shell remains. The castle’s name keeps the connection to the Buchanan legacy alive.

Craigend Castle
Craigend Castle, near Milngavie in Dunbartonshire, was acquired by Sir Andrew Buchanan in the 19th century. He remodeled the estate into a castellated mansion in keeping with the romantic styles of the time. The house was abandoned in the 20th century and is now a ruin within Mugdock Country Park. Its towers and turrets remain picturesque amid the woods. Though a later property, it reflects the Buchanan family’s continued presence and influence.

Dunglass Castle
Dunglass Castle, in West Dunbartonshire, was originally a Colquhoun stronghold but was purchased in 1812 by Andrew Buchanan of Auchentorlie. Though the castle was already in decline, he halted its dismantling and preserved what remained. The castle sits near the River Clyde and is partially ruined today. While never a clan seat, its preservation reflects Buchanan involvement in Scottish heritage. It connects the family to the region’s architectural past.

Northbar House
Northbar House, in Renfrewshire, was associated with later generations of the Buchanan family. The 17th-century house became part of the Blythswood estate but may have earlier connections to Clan Buchanan through marriage or local prominence. Though not a traditional castle, it served as a laird’s residence. The estate’s name survives in the local area. Its inclusion reflects the clan’s geographic spread beyond their original Highland base.

References

Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle Records and Listings.
National Library of Scotland. (n.d.). Estate Maps and Clan Archives.
Clan Buchanan Society International. (n.d.). Clan History and Heritage Properties.