Scottish castle that once held infamous Nazi now reclaimed by nature
The historic Stirlingshire castle has fallen into ruin.
New photographs show a Scottish castle that once housed an infamous, high-ranking Nazi. As seen in the images, the castle has been reclaimed by the surrounding nature.
Situated near Drymen in Stirlingshire, Buchanan Castle was constructed in the 1850s. It acted as the home of the Montrose family until 1925.
The castle was then sold, before opening as a hotel in 1930—with plans to implement a golf course. However, once World War Two broke out, these plans were abandoned and Buchanan Castle was repurposed as a hospital.
On May 10, 1941, Rudolf Hess flew to the UK in a self-described mission to negotiate peace. However, the plane carrying the Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler ran out of fuel and he parachuted to the ground.
Hess was taken to Buchanan Castle and treated. He was then transported to the Tower of London, before being relocated to Mytchett Place in Surrey.
Following a suicide attempt, Hess was moved to Maindiff Court Hospital. He then surrendered, and was moved to Nuremberg to face trial for war crimes in May 1945.
After the war, Buchanan Castle briefly acted as the Army School of Education. However, after the roof was removed and parts of the castle were demolished in 1954, it began to fall into ruin.
Proposals were put forth in 2002 and 2004 to convert the castle into apartment accommodation, but these were both denied. Today, while Buchanan Castle remains a B-listed building, signs around the site warn visitors not to enter for their own safety.
The abandoned building has now been reclaimed by nature. The ruins have become overgrown by trees and vines in the years since its heyday. Read on for a collection of photos of Buchanan Castle as it appears today.
More On
World War 2
History
Heritage
Photography
Stirling Albion FC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Dog-friendly travel on the rise: Scotland's hotspots revealed
Over three quarters (76%) of dog owners shared that they always travel with their pet and over four fifths (85%) were happy to travel more than two hours to the right dog-friendly accommodation. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With this in mind, the experts at Kent motorhome company, Choose Leisure, have uncovered the best counties in Scotland for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. To do so, they combined the number of pet-friendly motorhome sites, average nightly prices and user ratings to reveal an overall rating for each county. Choose Leisure commented: 'More owners than ever are prioritising pet-friendly getaways, and we've seen a real shift toward holidays that allow the whole family, including furry friends, to explore Scotland together. Motorhome travel offers a practical and flexible solution, giving dog owners the freedom to travel comfortably without compromising on their pets' needs.' Top 10 Scottish Counties for dog-friendly getaways: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether you're planning a Highlands hike, a seaside escape, or a relaxed countryside break, these Scottish counties offer the best-rated motorhome holidays for you and your four-legged companion. Rank County Number of Sites Average Median Price Average Rating (/10) 1 Lothian 5 £86.00 9.54 2 Caithness 5 £70.00 9.52 3 Scottish Borders 5 £80.00 9.34 4 Perthshire 14 £119.75 9.24 5 Argyll 11 £80.00 9.03 6 Berwickshire 6 £55.00 8.97 7 Ayrshire 10 £59.50 8.96 8 Aberdeenshire 5 £56.00 8.82 9 Dumfries and Galloway 33 £65.00 8.45 10 Stirlingshire 14 £96.40 7.82 With an outstanding average rating of 9.54/10, Lothian takes the crown as Scotland's top destination for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. Boasting five highly rated sites, its combination of city convenience and scenic escapes, ranging from Arthur's Seat to coastal paths, makes it an ideal choice for pet-loving road-trippers. Caithness follows closely in second place with an impressive 9.52 rating and average median price of £70 a night. Located in the far north of the country, it's perfect for dogs that love remote beaches, dramatic cliffs, and quiet landscapes. In third place, the Scottish Borders offers a peaceful mix of rolling countryside, forest trails, and historic sites, earning an average rating of 9.34 across five pet-welcoming motorhome locations. It's an accessible retreat for dog owners seeking relaxation without venturing too far from the Central Belt. Choose Leisure, have uncovered the best counties in Scotland for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. Perthshire, known for its rich woodlands and scenic lochs, claims fourth place with 14 dog-friendly sites, the highest in the top five. With a strong rating of 9.24, it offers variety and luxury, albeit at a higher average median cost of £119.75 per night it is perfect for those looking to splurge on a well-appointed rural getaway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rounding out the top five is Argyll, where 11 sites offer a combined average of 9.03/10 at £80 per night on average. From loch-side walks to island day trips, it's a haven for adventurous pups and their owners. Stirlingshire completes the top 10, offering central access and natural beauty, with a more modest rating of 7.82 across 14 locations. Whether you're planning a Highlands hike, a seaside escape, or a relaxed countryside break, these Scottish counties offer the best-rated motorhome holidays for you and your four-legged companion. Deepak Shukla, the CEO of Pets Let's Travel, a pet transport service, commented: 'To prevent driving distractions, make sure your dog has a secure place inside the car. For safety, use harnesses or dog seat belts, and remember to make frequent stops for playtime and toilet breaks to keep your dog from getting cabin fever. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Search for campgrounds that allow pets and save a list of nearby emergency veterinarians. Packing for a dog-friendly holiday is an art. Take the essentials with them such as their food, toys, and vet records but bringing a familiar bed or blanket will help them acclimate quickly to new environments. 'Above all, consider your dog's comfort level. Dog holidays give them mental stimulation to new sights and smells. This will often settle anxiety and stress. Good quality time spent together will strengthen your bond and it's a rewarding experience seeing your dog settle in new environments.'
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Veteran who lost eye in combat now assists others with visual impairment
Steven Williams, a former soldier who lost his eye after being injured during a patrol in Kenya, is determined to use his story to inspire others to support Sight Scotland Veterans. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Steven, aged 42, who has been supported by Sight Scotland Veterans since being medically discharged from the army in 2011 and now works for the charity as an independent living worker, is taking on four Kilt Walks in 2025, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. He is taking on this 80-mile walking challenge, alongside his partner, to highlight all the great work Sight Scotland Veterans does and to say thank you to a charity that has done so much to help him both personally and professionally. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He explains: 'Sight Scotland Veterans is a fantastic charity. It supported me in my time of need, and now I want to give back. I really want to raise awareness of the great work the charity does, as too many people with vision impairment suffer in silence and we all need some support at different times. You can find yourself lonely and isolated, which can affect your self-esteem and confidence. I have been there myself. Steven Williams, seated second from the right, sits atop an armoured vehicle adorned with Hibs and Hearts flags, with Scottish flags flying in the background. "Without the help of this charity, I genuinely don't know where I would be. Every veteran in Scotland living with sight loss, no matter their age or where they are, needs to know that a variety of help is available through Sight Scotland Veterans. 'I served ten years in the Army, starting with the Royal Scots. I did a couple of tours in Iraq and each one was completely different. The first was intense combat, modern day warfare. The second was more about training the Iraqi Army to be self-sufficient and allow the British Armed Forces to leave. There were some hairy moments along the way, we got blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the back of a FV510 Warrior, an armoured vehicle, during one patrol down 'Route Irish' which is a 7.5mile stretch from the Green Zone to Bagdad's Internation Airport. "The FV510 Warrior was immobilised when an IED detonated at the front, striking the engine, if it hadn't, I wouldn't be here to tell the story. Our training automatically kicked in and we secured the site but thankfully there was no secondary fire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I returned from that seven-month tour in March 2008, and by early summer, I heard The Black Watch were seeking a 30-man platoon from other Scottish regiments for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. I loved the Army and, naively feeling invincible, volunteered for transfer to The Black Watch. Part of our training took place in Kenya, where the terrain and heat mirrored conditions in Afghanistan. Steven Williams and his partner Wilma at the finish line of the Glasgow Kiltwalk "After four weeks in the field near Nairobi, a branch snapped back during a patrol and struck me in the eye. There was no blood, and you couldn't really stop, so I kept going, but by morning I couldn't see. I was CASEVAC (casualty evacuated) from the field and taken to hospital in Nairobi where they removed part of the thorn. I flew back with a field doctor having drops put in my eye every fifteen minutes during a ten-hour flight. 'Back in the UK, and I remember being in Heathrow and I was still wearing my dusty and dirty camouflage clothing, and the field doctor went into one of those fancy designer shops and bought some 'civvy' clothes. I went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London to stabilise my eye and I was transferred to Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre for a week before returning to my unit in Edinburgh. I still had the eye, but I had no central vision. "Over the next two years, I went through 12 operations, everything from treating cataracts to infections and high pressure. The doctors didn't really know what to do. Eventually, they gave me a choice of keep undergoing treatments and medication or to remove the eye. I made the difficult decision to have it taken out in May 2011, and the following week I was told I was no longer 'fit to serve.' I was gutted, but after two years of being unable to serve as a soldier due to my injury, I felt ready to leave the Army, but it was still daunting. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'After that, things got extremely hard. I started to feel sorry for myself and I didn't know what to do. I essentially lost my eye, my job, my purpose, and I felt completely lost. It was around this time I started to get help from Sight Scotland Veterans and my independent living worker in Midlothian was amazing. She supported not just me, but also my partner and our children. That meant the world, because when a veteran loses their sight, the whole family is affected. Until I had my eye removed, people didn't even understand that I was injured. It was invisible, and that made it even harder to deal with. 'I was fitted with a prosthetic eye, but it was so uncomfortable, and I was told I would need yet another operation on my eye lids and I couldn't face it. So, I spoke with my family, and we all agreed that if I was OK with how I looked (without the prosthetic eye), I didn't need it. But even now, I struggle. I am not classed as legally sight-impaired, but my sight loss affects me every single day. "It's still hard walking downstairs, judging distance, even noticing someone coming from the side, I'm constantly worried about bumping into things. I also struggle to shave one side of my face, and taking part in video meetings is difficult without becoming self-conscious. I cannot escape the fact that I've lost my eye. I spent ten years pretending I didn't have sight loss; I was embarrassed by it. But over time, I've tried to be a bit kinder to myself. 'The support I received from Sight Scotland Veterans was invaluable. They encouraged me to get involved with the community again. I started by volunteering to coach my son's football team. That led me to the Lothian Veterans Centre where, after seven months of volunteering, I was offered a part-time job as an employability officer. Eventually, I became the operations Manager for four years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It was a rewarding but demanding role, often supporting people in crisis such as facing job loss, homelessness, or struggling with their mental or physical health. I was regularly contacted out of hours, even on Christmas Day, and often neglected my own wellbeing. All this time I wasn't dealing with my own sight loss, and my mental health began to suffer. Throughout this time Sight Scotland Veterans remained a constant support. 'I took voluntary redundancy from Lothian Veterans Centre in May 2019. Like many small charities reliant on annual grants, we had to reapply for funding but were unsuccessful. Deep down, I realised I needed a break. This became a real turning point for me. I took time to re-evaluate my life and even began exploring mindfulness and yoga. Around nine months later, I successfully applied for a role with Sight Scotland Veterans as a centre worker and started at Linburn in 2020, just a week into lockdown. I loved working there over the next four years, helping veterans rebuild their lives after the pandemic. "In August last year, I started a new role as an independent living worker for Fife, and I thoroughly enjoy helping veterans live as independently as possible and reconnect with their communities. I know first-hand how vital this support is, especially for those experiencing sight loss for the first time or facing significant changes. Some conditions sadly worsen over time, so reassessment is crucial. "I always ask myself: how can we make a meaningful difference? What do they truly need? Often, it's the small, everyday tasks, like safely making a cup of tea, that matter most. We provide training and equipment to support this, helping people maintain independence at home. Our team also offers expert support with more complex issues like housing, finances, and wellbeing. Through our centres, sight support groups, and digital hub calls, we provide social connection and camaraderie - and the chance to share our lived experiences, which I believe is invaluable." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Steven has also recently joined the Sight Loss Councils in Scotland, which are led by blind and partially sighted people who use lived experience to tackle local and national issues to improve the accessibility of services. If you have been inspired by Steven and would like to take on your own challenge to help support Sight Scotland Veterans, please visit or call 0800 035 6409.
Edinburgh Live
3 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Former Edinburgh Airport base commander retires after high-flying career
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Scottish pilot who safely delivered countless air passengers to sun-kissed destinations has hung up his captain's hat. On Thursday, June 26, 60-year-old Duncan Munro retired from the captain's chair after decades of dedicated service to budget-friendly airline, Ryanair, reports The Daily Record. Duncan, who has served as both a pilot and base captain at Edinburgh Airport over the years, has flown for more than 20 years. Often in and out of Prestwick Airport, his most regular route was the run to Malaga and back. But on Thursday, he took charge of his final Boeing 737 flight back from Spain, as he prepares to settle into a more 'grounded' lifestyle. And Duncan got the perfect welcome back as he touched down on the Prestwick tarmac - a water cannon salute from his ground colleagues. Proud dad Harry said: 'Duncan's last day at work was Thursday, June 26 and he landed from Malaga early afternoon. 'On June 20, 2001, the Ayrshire Post actually published an article about my son, who had just been engaged as a pilot for Ryanair, operating from Prestwick Airport. 'He is now about to retire and his last flight was 26 June, landing at Prestwick. 'Duncan rose through the ranks of Ryanair to captain, training captain and base commander at both Glasgow and Edinburgh. He also had a spell with Norwegian Air flying transatlantic. 'He was also a simulator instructor at Gatwick. In addition, he maintains his RAF connection in Glasgow.' Former Belmont Academy pupil Duncan took his first steps on his fascinating career journey when he studied General Science at Strathclyde University in 1982. Duncan then joined the RAF, rising to officer in the RAF Regiment and taking his Masters Degree at Glasgow University. A career in computing then followed, which led him to London and Singapore - before he gained his commercial pilot's licence. Duncan eventually progressed to captain one of the Ryanair fleet - and he's been loving his job ever since. And in a pleasant surprise to Duncan, wife Jane and son Fergus, flew out to Malaga on Wednesday - so they could enjoy his last flight home from Spain the following day. Fergus said: 'It all went really well. I gave him a call before we got on the flight home and asked him if he'd welcome us on as VIP's! 'It was definitely an emotional day and I think it only hit him when we landed and he was carrying out his final shutdown. Then he realised it was all over.' Duncan's life in aviation isn't quite over however; he's going to be the Deputy Chief Flying Instructor at Acron, based at Gatwick, where he'll put the next generation of airline pilots through their paces in their state-of-the-art flight simulators.
