Leith Hall

The north wing of the house was constructed in 1650, on the site of the earlier Peill Castle, by James Leith of New Leslie (see Castle Croft). The east wing was added in 1756, and the south wing was built in 1797 by General Alexander Leith Hay. The west wing, containing the entrance front, was added in 1868 to complete the courtyard.{{cite web |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/17673/leith-hall |title=Leith Hall |work=Canmore |publisher=Historic Environment Scotland}}

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. In 1945 the house and grounds were presented to the NTS.

The writer Elizabeth Byrd rented 14 rooms with her second husband, Barrie Gaunt in the 1960s. In The Ghosts in My Life and A Strange and Seeing Time, Byrd describes the paranormal occurrences she and her husband experienced while living here.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qd-TUu3IQMAC&q=byrd+leith+hall&pg=PT6|title=White Indian: 1755 The True Story of John Leith|last=Leith|first=Audie Dallas|date=2011-10-14|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=9781465376565|language=en}}{{Cite book|title=Yankee Ghosts: Spine Tingling Encounters with the Phantoms of New York and New England|last=Holzer|first=Hans|publisher=Yankee Publishing, Inc.|year=1989|isbn=9780899091471}}

The gardens and grounds are open to the public all year round. After several years' closure the Hall was re-opened by the NTS in 2013.

Leith Hall was featured on the paranormal investigation show "Most Haunted" during their third series. The episode aired on Tuesday 28 October 2003 on Living TV.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4664366/?ref_=ttep_ep17 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}

File:Leith Hall Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 94142.jpg

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.gardens-guide.com/gardenpages/_0201.htm |title=Leith Hall & Gardens (Scotland)|publisher=Gardens-guide.com |date=2010-01-28 |access-date=2010-03-15}} The gardens contain flowering trees and shrubs, roses, fruit, vegetables and ornamental grasses.{{cite web|url=http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/gardens/gardens.cfm/searchazref/81001700LEIA |title=Leith Hall garden, Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire - Gardens |publisher=Britainsfinest.co.uk |access-date=2010-03-15}} 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. There are also two nature trails, each about one and a half to two miles (3 km) long. The gardens also contain two ponds and a birdwatching site.{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/showPlace.cfm?Place_ID=1623 |title=Leith Hall & Garden, an Attraction in Huntly, Grampian. Search for Grampian Attractions |publisher=Information-britain.co.uk |date=2005-10-16 |access-date=2010-03-15}}

In the context of ghostlore, one notable ghost associated with this castle is believed to be that of Laird John Leith III. He was shot in the head after reacting angrily to a fellow diner who accused him of adulterating the grain sold from this hall.{{Cite web |title=Scottish ghost stories – witches, murder and folklore (Part 2) |url=https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/scottish-ghost-stories-witches-murder-and-folklore-part-2 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=National Trust for Scotland |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Leith Hall Ghosts |url=https://aboutaberdeen.com/Leith-Hall-Ghosts |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=aboutaberdeen.com}}

The ghost of John is said to appear in great pain, with a dirty white bandage over his head and covering his eyes. He is often described as wearing dark green trousers and a shirt. In 1968, Novelist Elizabeth Byrd reported waking during the night to see John in highland dress, his head covered in bloody bandages, standing at the foot of the bed.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Emma |date=2013-08-11 |title=Our intrepid reporter spends the night in Scotland's spookiest castle.. and lives to tell the tale |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/haunted-house-leith-hall-reveals-2151550 |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Daily Record |language=en}} Other apparitional figures have also been sighted at this location.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-01 |title=Trees of grief |url=https://gothicnaturejournal.com/trees-of-grief/ |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=Gothic Nature Journal |language=en-US}}

• James Leith (British Army officer) (1763–1816)
• Andrew Leith Hay (1785–1862)

{{reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• [https://www.nts.org.uk/Visit/Leith-Hall/ Leith Hall Garden & Estate], National Trust for Scotland
• [https://www.nesmslibrary.org/rbw/Leith.html Music at Leith Hall] by Dr Roger B. Williams
• [http://www.leith-hay.org Leith Hay family site]

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Category:Country houses in Aberdeenshire

Category:Houses completed in 1650

Category:National Trust for Scotland properties

Category:Category A listed buildings in Aberdeenshire

Category:Gardens in Aberdeenshire

Category:Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

Category:1650 establishments in Scotland

Category:Reportedly haunted locations in Scotland