Drymen Village History

The name Drymen comes from “druimean” the Mid-Perthshire Gaelic for hill ridge. Drumquhassle, to the southeast of the village, had a Roman fort for a short period, around 84AD. Roman influence was short-lived, but the area has evidence of continued habitation, and it eventually came under the jurisdiction of the Earls of Lennox. To the south of the River Endrick, they established a site at the lowest ford/ferry-boat crossing until Drymen Bridge was built in 1765 and a military road established between Dumbarton and Stirling Castles in 1780. 

Development of Drymen from its 17th-century market charter status resulted from the importance of its river crossing and position on the cattle droving routes from the Highlands, via east Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, with access to huge markets near Falkirk. 

The Marquis (Duke from 1707) of Montrose purchased the lands of the main branch of the Buchanan Clan in 1682. This vast estate employed many from the village in farming, forestry, and estate administration until well in the 20th century when death-duty taxes and changing economic circumstances shrunk the estate. 

Buchanan Castle, now a ruin, is the former home of the Dukes of Montrose, commissioned in 1852, designed by William Burn and completed in 1855. The castle was used as a hotel in the 1930s and as a military hospital during the second world war. Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess, was brought here to receive treatment for an injury after his aircraft crashed in mysterious circumstances south of Glasgow in 1941.  The castle roof was removed in 1954 for tax reasons, and the castle quickly deteriorated. 

Today tourism, boosted for a short while by the Stirling to Balloch railway (1857 to 1934), has since taken over as principal employment within the village. Two of Scotland's Great Trails, The West Highland Way and John Muir Way draw walkers into the village from their nearby routes. NCN7 Lochs and Glens Way cycle route passes through the village.  

Drymen was designated a Conservation Area in 1973. The village was also included in the formation of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park in 2002 – Scotland's first national park. The Park Authority aims to protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage while enhancing the visitor experience and promoting sustainable, social and economic development for their communities. 

The Drymen Show is held each May on the Endrick River plain next to Drymen Bridge. It is one of the longest-running major agricultural shows in Scotland.  

Drymen Square is in community ownership and is the focal point of the village. Events such as Piping on the Square in the summer and carols around the Christmas Tree each December are enjoyed by locals and visitors. The flagpole was gifted by shipbuilder Sir Maurice Denny of William Denny & Brothers to mark Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. 

The Clachan, Scotland's oldest licensed Inn, opened in 1734. The Clachan's first landlady was Mistress Gow, reputed to be the youngest sister of the infamous cattle dealer and possible double agent, Rob Roy MacGregor. During the Jacobite rebellions, Rob was famous for exacting the cattle protection money known as "blackmail". 

The Square is the starting point of another of Scotland’s Great Trails, the Rob Roy Way, a 79-mile long-distance walk or cycle to Pitlochry. Its route passes through many of the forests and glens used as hideouts by the outlaw.

There will be more historical content added to this website in the coming months. 

Can you help?

We’re interested in getting any old photographs and stories of Drymen. If you can help please get in touch.