Buchanan of Leny Burial Enclosure, Callander

Buchanan of Leny burial enclosure with adjacent burial ground situated on a hillock at the confluence of the Eas Gobhain and Garbe Usige. Set to the S of Callander close by to the former Callander & Oban Railway Line, now a cycling path, 2004. The enclosure would appear to be 18th century as the earliest memorial plaques date from 1724. The burial ground seems to date from the 19th century as indicated by the gravestones. The site is bounded by mature oak trees and can prove to be inacccessbile at times as the surrounding land is liable to flood. Of good local interest.

The rectangular-plan burial enclosure is situated to the NW of the site with the burial ground surrounding it to the W, S and E. As well as the trees which bounder the site there is cast-iron fence running around the periphery. The enclosure is entered through a round arched entrance with a cast-iron gate situated to the S. A finial above the entrance reads 'The Buchanan Chapel 1214'. It is reputed that a chapel once stood here but was re-sited due to a shift in the course of the river. It is possible that early fabric from the chapel is incorporated in the walls to the enclosure.

There are 20 gravemarkers or memorial stones to the enclosure, with many of the inscriptions only being partly legible. Of these are a series of 4 sandstone wall mounted plaques to the W, N and E dating from 1724. That to the N face reads 'The bell tolleth to the famelie of Bochastel at 19 boots of lenth upon both the syd vals ' WB, IB, 1724. Also to the N wall is a granite plaque erected in 1995 dedicated to Dugald Buchanan. The inscription reads 'Gaelic poet, teacher, evangelist ' This monument marks his resting place and commemorates his gifts of inspired language and sacred song by which the literature of his native highlands has ben enriched'.

The burial ground is the resting place of the ancient family of the Buchanans of Leny. The Statistical Account of 1794 states that Alexander II in 1237 gave the charter of Leney to the Buchanan family (for further information see Leny House list description). The Buchanan connection with Leny House and Leny Estate seems to have ended in the early/earlier 20th century when the estate was sold. The burial ground, however, appears to still be in use there are inscriptions on gravestones dating from the 21st century. (Historic Environment Scotland)

28 May 2022: Inspection finds the burial enclosure, part of a wider graveyard, now overall in poor condition. Whilst the enclosure remains intact to wallhead, the walls are subject to mortar loss, cracking and movement to the outer leaf. The most prominent movement is to the south-western corner where walls are bulging in places and cracking in others. Towards the eastern end of the southern elevation is a further area of damage. The east and north elevations are in better condition. The interior leaf appears to be in better condition, albeit with some mortar loss and cracking, and inset memorials appear undamaged. A mature tree grows in close proximity to the north elevation. To the interior, grave markers are mostly intact although two have a significant lean and a table gravestone has split. The iron gate is intact but starting to rust. Empty drink cans and the remains of charred wood lie in the interior.