Buchanan Castle at Buchanan Castle Golf Club

Buchanan Castle Golf Club sits in the shadow of its namesake ruined castle near Drymen, at the southern edge of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Stirlingshire. James Braid designed the course in 1936, one of his final commissions during a prolific career that saw him shape more than 200 layouts across Britain. The parkland setting occupies gently rolling terrain with mature woodland framing many holes, and the distant backdrop of the Campsie Fells and Highland hills provides a characteristic Scottish landscape context.

The routing makes use of the natural contours and established trees, with several holes playing through corridors of beech and oak while others open onto broader fairways. Braid's design principles are evident in the strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward thoughtful positioning over raw distance. The course measures just over 6,000 yards from the back tees, a length typical of Braid's work from this era, and the par of 68 reflects a layout with five par threes and five par fives.

The club operates as a private members' facility and maintains a traditional Scottish golf club atmosphere. Buchanan Castle remains relatively quiet compared to the more famous courses along nearby Loch Lomond, offering a genuine parkland experience in a region better known for its dramatic loch-side and links venues. The course serves primarily local membership and their guests, preserving the character of a classic Braid design without significant modern alteration.