The silence was deafening. There we were in the heart of wild Scotland, yet the songbirds had gone mute. Howling winds seemed to die just before they touched the surrounding trees. We had stepped into a painting – living things replaced by their lifeless reflections.

An impenetrable fortress of primeval plants concealed the entrance to the castle. Who knew what lay hidden within those tangled brambles, watching and waiting. We found a trail to the right but we took it slowly, watching shadows dance in the tower windows above. We reached a battered fence, spotted with warning signs about falling stones and collapsed flooring. Ignoring them, and our own good sense, we crawled through a hole in the fence and stepped into Buchanan Castle.

Upon entering, we found ourselves alone in the eerie glow of the surrounding greenery. As we explored, each room seemed more mysterious and captivating than the last. We savored the silence – breaking it would’ve felt like a violation. Every step taken was careful and calculated, hoping to suppress the crack of breaking twigs or the crunch of fallen leaves. When we did speak, it was barely a whisper.  We both felt uneasy, and the feeling only deepened as the minutes passed.

We were being watched by unseen eyes. We weren’t welcome here.

Built in the 1850s, Buchanan Castle was once a beautiful country estate. It served as a beloved family home for decades, then a hotel before it was transformed into a military hospital at the outbreak of World War II. Amidst the chaos and tragedy of the war, it became well known for treating the Nazi Rudolph Hess, after his plane crashed en route to a secret peace talk with Great Britain. Perhaps it was at this point in history when the castle became home to a few lurking spirits and a spooky, supernatural atmosphere.

Post war, Buchanan Castle was left to ruin. Forgotten and forsaken, it has since been all but consumed by nature. Hungry vines of creeping ivy now strangle the once proud pillars and grand archways. Colossal tree roots have pierced the rotting floorboards, forming a perilous labyrinth of uneven earth and stone. As unnerving as the place may be, there’s no denying the beauty in the decay.

We were there for just a brief moment in the castle’s lifetime but it left a lasting impression. Exploring Buchanan Castle was a glimpse into a bygone era and Nature’s resolve in reclaiming her domain.