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Leslie Castle
Leslie, Aberdeenshire
Leslie Castle, Geograph.jpg
Leslie Castle
Leslie Castle is located in Aberdeen
Leslie Castle
Leslie Castle
Coordinates 57°18′45″N 2°39′59″W / 57.3125°N 2.666389°W / 57.3125; -2.666389
Site information
Open to
the public
Operates as a Guesthouse
Site history
Built around 1661
Leslie Castle a unique place to stay
Leslie Castle

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.

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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Castillo de Leslie para niños

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