Leith Hall
Leith Hall is a country house in Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Built in 1650, on the site of the medieval Peill Castle, and run by the National Trust of Scotland since 1945, Leith Hall is set in a 286-acre (1.16 km2) estate with scenic gardens.[1][2] The manor was the home of the Leith-Hay family for nearly four centuries.
Extensions were added to Leith Hall in 1738, 1810 and in 1904. In 1745, Andrew Hay of Rannes hid at Leith Hall after the Battle of Culloden where he fought for Bonnie Prince Charlie, later escaping to France.
During the First World War it became a temporary Red Cross hospital and housed over 500 patients.
The house contains fine china, family portraits and tapestries and some interesting clocks. The hall is noted for its gardens, set in stages with each sheltered by a wall or hedge and each with its own special character.[3] The gardens contain flowering trees and shrubs, roses, fruit, vegetables and ornamental grasses.[4] A little stream winds its way through the gravel paths and stone crevices and at the top of the garden, near the 18th century curved stables, is the circular "Moon Gate" leading to the old turnpike road, once the main thoroughfare to Aberdeen.[3] There are also two nature trails, each about one and a half to two miles (3 km) long.[3] The gardens also contain two ponds and a birdwatching site.[5]
The gardens and grounds are open to the public all year round. After several years' closure the Hall has now been re-opened by the NTS (July 2013): its open-season will be Easter to the end of October.
See also
References
- ↑ "Property Details for Leith Hall Garden & Estate". Nts.org.uk. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ↑ "Leith Hall on". Aboutbritain.com. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- 1 2 3 "Leith Hall & Gardens (Scotland)". Gardens-guide.com. 2010-01-28. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ↑ "Leith Hall garden, Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire - Gardens". Britainsfinest.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ↑ "Leith Hall & Garden, an Attraction in Huntly, Grampian. Search for Grampian Attractions". Information-britain.co.uk. 2005-10-16. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
External links
- Leith Hall Garden & Estate - official site at National Trust for Scotland
- Leith Hay family : (Leith-Hay family site)
- Andrew Hay of Rannes
- John Leith III
- John Leith IV of Leith Hall
- Alexander Leith-Hay and family General Alexander Leith-Hay of Rannes and Leith Hall
- Sir James Leith (British Army officer) Liet Gen James Leith
- Sir Andrew Leith-Hay of Rannes and Leith Hall
- Col Alexander Sebastian Leith-Hay of Rannes and Leith Hall
- James Leith-Hay
- Charles Edward Norman Leith-Hay of Rannes and Leith Hall
- Charles Arthur O'Neill Leith-Hay of Rannes and Leith Hall
- Leith Hall on Facebook NTS Affiliated
- The Kinnethmont (Kennethmont)Website
Coordinates: 57°21′22.52″N 2°45′53.11″W / 57.3562556°N 2.7647528°W