Buchanan Castle Well House, Buchanan Castle Policies

Probably dating to the early 19th century, this circular well house is situated on the edge of a stand of trees, to the E of Old Buchanan House. It is a circular, rubble-built building divided into 5 bays by 6 perpendicular ashlar buttresses with coping and square capstones. To the SE bay is a timber-boarded door with a blind rectangular opening above, and the 2 flanking bays have narrow round-arched openings, with blind square openings above and ashlar margins. The shallow domed brick roof is concealed below the corniced wallhead. Inside the well house is a stone flagged floor with a central circular well shaft.

Buchanan Castle Estate was held the Buchanans from the 13th century until it was bought by the 3rd Marquis (later Duke) in 1682. In 1724 the earlier dwelling was demolished and a large new house constructed. Over the next 130 years, the house and its surrounding estate underwent several periods of alteration and development, culminating in the construction of Buchanan Castle in 1852. (Historic Scotland)

February 1990: External inspection reveals castle policies to sit adjacent to the Buchanan Castle Golf Course, and some private dwellings have been constructed on the surrounding land. March 2001: Local planners report that there have been various expressions of interest from developers in the last 2 years, all including some enabling development in the grounds to support the restoration of the castle for residential use. March 2002: Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent is sought by the Buchanan Development Company for the erection of 39 flats behind a retained facade, and a new build of 6 houses in the grounds. August 2003: Local planners report that a decision is still pending on the granting of Planning Permission. 21 September 2003: Scotland on Sunday reports on opposition to the plans. 22 September 2003: The Evening Times reports that the Buchanan Castle Action Group is opposing the plans, and 50 objections have been received so far by the planning authority. 21 October 2003: The Herald reports that permissions have been denied, although officials have left the door open for the submission of redrawn plans. Objections were received from Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water, Buchanan Community Council, Stirling Council, Garden History Society, Historic Scotland and SCT. 29 October 2003: The Dumbarton Reporter repeats the story. 31 October 2003: The Lennox Herald repeats the story. 7 November 2003: The Clyde Weekly News repeats the story. December 2003: Historic Scotland reports that the decision has gone to appeal. May 2004: The Inquiry Reporter reports that the appeal is to be held in abeyance. October 2006: Please note this entry had been incorrectly described as the ice house to Buchanan Castle. It is in fact a well house. Name, etc. has been subsequently amended.

29 February 2012: External inspection finds the building is generally very damp. The roof appears to be in the process of collapse.

5 November 2021: External inspection finds the building to be stable but there is continued decay of the masonry. There are losses of mortar and pinning stones throughout the structure. Signs of significant damp are visible on exterior and in the interior visible through openings. Interior roof structure appears intact, although there are signs of possible movement of exterior roof structure visible through window opening. There is established vegetation growth on the roof and in the joints of wall masonry. Structure is secured by a door and bars in window openings. There are no signs of vandalism or unauthorised access.