Fairytale castle for sale in Aberdeenshire

The last fortified home to be built in Scotland is now on the market - and it comes with the optional extra of a baronetcy.

Leslie Castle was built in the 17th Century and its fortification - metre-thick granite walls, slate roof, towers and turrets - reflect the violence of the times.It has since been carefully restored to retain the character and style of the original structure, which includes a rare lantern tower.

Picture: Leslie Castle, Strutt and Parker

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If you fancy realising childhood dreams of living in such a fairytale castle (and with a title to boot), then Leslie Castle is on the market with Strutt and Parker for offers over £650,000.The castle now provides accommodation over five floors and comprises seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and four reception rooms including a Great Hall.Features include vaulted rooms, flagstone floors, traditional fireplaces, corner turrets in the third floor bedrooms and triple aspect views over the castle's 1.9 acres of land.

Picture: the castle boasts views of the countryside, Strutt and Parker

Leslie Castle is currently being run as a successful B&B, with rooms from just £150 a night, which could be continued by the new owners.The new kitchen has a Stanley multi-purpose cooker and boiler, a range of stainless steel commercial units and domestic style storage space.The former kitchen is now a breakfast room with the huge old fireplace a dominant feature. There is also a cloakroom and utility/larder area.The first floor was formerly the reception area and includes the Great Hall, with triple aspect and fireplace, a drawing room and a private study area, now known as the Baron’s room.The second and third floors each comprise three en suite bedrooms, with those on the third floor also featuring corner turrets.The fourth floor is used as the owner’s rooms (effectively a study and bedroom with cloakroom), whilst guests stay in the second and third floor bedrooms.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The fifth floor is the top of the tower, and there's a spiral stair up to the battlements and flagpole where new owners can enjoy views over their land.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The new owners may wish to continue the Baronetcy, (Baron of Leslie), that was inherited (and granted in 2004) with the property. This could be included in the sale for an undisclosed price and Strutt and Parker say:"The Barony is a personal title of dignity and as far as we know is the only noble dignity which can be legally purchased."The castle history is also described by the seller: "In around 1069 King Malcolm granted lands in the Garrioch to Lord Lesse, whose family name was Bartholomew."Whilst Queen Margaret was riding pillion with Bartholomew the horse stumbled and the queen asked if the buckle around his waist would hold."It did, but for the future Bartholomew added two more buckles to his riding belt and to the arms of Leslie; the Leslie motto became ‘Grip Fast’."The original castle was reputedly a motte, but in around 1661 it was built in stone and has existed in its present layout since then."In 1670 the castle passed to the Leiths of Leith Hall. It eventually became a ruin and was rebuilt in the 1980’s by a previous owner."

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