Leslie Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leslie Castle |
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| Leslie, Aberdeenshire | |
Leslie Castle
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 Leslie Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°18′45″N 2°39′59″W / 57.3125°N 2.666389°W |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Operates as a Guesthouse |
| Site history | |
| Built | around 1661 |
Leslie Castle is an old castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was once the main home for a Scottish family called Clan Leslie. The castle is located west of Auchleven, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of Aberdeen. Today, it is a guesthouse where people can stay.
Contents
About Leslie Castle
A Castle with a Past
Leslie Castle was built around 1661. It was one of the last "fortified houses" built in Scotland. This means it was a strong home designed to protect its owners. The castle was built where an even older castle used to stand. That first castle was probably a simple wooden fort called a motte and bailey.
Bringing the Castle Back to Life
By 1980, Leslie Castle was in ruins. Its walls had fallen down, and there were huge piles of stones everywhere. Many carved stones had also been stolen over the years. A large tree had even grown inside a collapsed part of the castle wall.
A man named David Carnegie Leslie bought the castle and its land for about $25,000. He spent about $1 million to restore it. He used stones from 300-year-old cottages nearby to fix the castle walls. In July 1989, the castle opened as a hotel with five bedrooms.
What is it Used For Today?
In 2016, Leslie Castle opened again as a bed and breakfast. After two successful years, it was sold to its current owners.
Since April 2018, Leslie Castle has been a guesthouse. You can also rent the whole castle for special events. These events include birthdays, family get-togethers, Burns nights, and Hogmanay (New Year's Eve).
Clan Gatherings
The Leslie family, or Clan Leslie, has held special gatherings at the castle. In 1995, a Clan Gathering took place at Leslie Castle. The last Clan Leslie gathering in Scotland was in 2020.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Leslie para niños
