Bluebells in full bloom at 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]


Leith Hall gardens
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.

(Wikipedia extract)