Castle Leod facts for kids
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Castle Leod is the special home, or seat, of the Clan Mackenzie, a famous Scottish family. It is a beautiful castle located near the town of Strathpeffer in the Scottish Highlands.
The castle and its gardens are so important that they are protected by the Scottish government. The building is a category A listed building, which means it's a building of national importance. Its gardens are also listed as one of Scotland's most significant gardens.
Contents
The Story of Castle Leod
The history of Castle Leod goes back hundreds of years. It is believed to stand on the site of an ancient fort built by the Pictish people, who lived in Scotland long ago.
The Mackenzie Family
The castle was given to John of Killin, the 10th chief of Clan MacKenzie, for his bravery in the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
In 1608, the castle was passed to Sir Roderick "Rorie" Mackenzie. He married a wealthy heiress named Margaret MacLeod. This marriage was very important because it brought a lot of money to the family. It also ended a long argument between the Mackenzies and the MacLeods over land.
The castle we see today was mostly built in the early 1600s by Sir Roderick. It has been the home of the Earls of Cromartie, who are descendants of the Mackenzie family, ever since.
Hard Times and Restoration
In 1746, the owner of the castle, George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie, lost his estate. This happened because he supported the Jacobite Uprising, which was an attempt to change who was king.
The castle fell into disrepair and was described as "Quite a ruin" by 1814. However, in the mid-1800s, the Hay-Mackenzie family, who were related to the 3rd Earl, completely renovated it.
Later, large new sections were added to the castle, and the roof was repaired in 1992. Today, Castle Leod is still the home of the Earl of Cromartie and his family. It is open to visitors on certain days of the year.
Inside the Castle Walls
Castle Leod is a type of castle known as a tower house. The oldest part is built in an L-shape from red sandstone. Later, another section was added that made the castle look square. This new part also made room for a bigger staircase and more bedrooms.
A date, 1616, is carved on one of the windows. This might be the date the first part was built or when the new section was added.
A Strong Fortress
The castle was built to be very strong. Its walls are incredibly thick, between 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) in some places! It also has iron grilles on the lower windows and small openings called gun loops and arrowslits for defense.
Inside, some rooms have wood-panelled walls. They are filled with portraits of Mackenzie family members from many centuries ago. You can also see antique furniture and old maps.
In the castle grounds, there are two huge Spanish chestnut trees. Legend says they were planted in 1556 by John of Killin to celebrate Mary, Queen of Scots officially giving him the castle.
Castle Leod in Fiction
The castle is thought to be the real-life inspiration for "Castle Leoch" in the popular Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. The books tell stories about the Mackenzie Clan.
When the Outlander TV show was being made, Castle Leod was considered as a filming location. However, the producers chose Doune Castle instead because it was easier to get to.
Diana Gabaldon has said that Castle Leod is a perfect match for the time period in her books. She loves its beautiful grounds and the many amazing trees planted there over the centuries.
See also
