Castle Leod

Castle Leod stands near Strathpeffer in the Scottish Highlands, on ground once held by the Picts before the 12th century. The present red-sandstone tower house, built in the early 17th century, is an L-plan structure with walls up to 2.4 metres thick and iron grilles still fitted to lower windows. The estate passed to the Mackenzies after Sir Roderick Mackenzie married Margaret MacLeod in 1605, ending a long feud over the Barony of Coigach. The castle remains the home of the Earl of Cromartie and holds centuries of Mackenzie portraits, antique furnishings and large maps on its walls. Two Spanish chestnuts planted in 1556 by John of Killin mark the confirmation of his acquisition by Mary Queen of Scots. The grounds contain a park of enormous exotic trees gathered by generations of Mackenzies and their visitors. A compact square section was added in the 17th century, and later extensions in 1851 and 1904 enlarged the house. The roof was made watertight only in 1992, yet the castle still shows original fittings throughout. Diana Gabaldon has praised its period accuracy and magnificent grounds, and planted a rowan tree herself to add to the collection.