The last fortified house in Scotland is on the market

If you’ve ever wanted to live like a noble – but didn’t have the credentials required – purchasing this Scottish ‘fairy tale castle’ might be the easiest way.

The last fortified house to be built in Scotland is on the market for £650,000 – with the optional extra of a baronetcy.

Leslie Castle was built in the 17th Century and its metre-thick granite walls, towers and turrets reflect the violent nature of the times.

Leslie Castle was built in the 17th Century and its metre-thick granite walls, towers and turrets reflect the violent nature of the times

The last fortified house to be built in Scotland is on the market for £650,000 - with the optional extra of a baronetcy

The last fortified house to be built in Scotland is on the market for £650,000 – with the optional extra of a baronetcy

The five-storey, seven-bedroom property in Aberdeenshire is built on land used for various fortresses for almost 1,000 years.

Before being put on the market it had been used as a bed and breakfast for couples looking for a rustic holiday location at just £150 a night.

With surrounding Craigievar and Kildrummy Castles as well as the famous Bennachie mountain there is no shortage of things to see in the area.

Leslie Castle itself was rebuilt in the 1980s and boasts a vaulted kitchen, great hall, a study area known as the Baron's Room, and a spiral staircase to the battlements overlooking the two acres of land included in the sale

Leslie Castle itself was rebuilt in the 1980s and boasts a vaulted kitchen, great hall, a study area known as the Baron’s Room, and a spiral staircase to the battlements overlooking the two acres of land included in the sale

The title Baron of Leslie originates from 1069 when the land was granted by King Malcolm III to Lord Leslie, a Hungarian nobleman who arrived with the future Queen Margaret of Scotland

The title Baron of Leslie originates from 1069 when the land was granted by King Malcolm III to Lord Leslie, a Hungarian nobleman who arrived with the future Queen Margaret of Scotland

Leslie Castle itself was rebuilt in the 1980s and boasts a vaulted kitchen, great hall, a study area known as the Baron’s Room, and a spiral staircase to the battlements overlooking the two acres of land included in the sale.

The title Baron of Leslie originates from 1069 when the land was granted by King Malcolm III to Lord Leslie, a Hungarian nobleman who arrived with the future Queen Margaret of Scotland.

Sellers Strutt & Parker say the baronetcy is available for sale along with the property for an undisclosed additional fee.

Sellers Strutt & Parker say the baronetcy is available for sale along with the property for an undisclosed additional fee

Sellers Strutt & Parker say the baronetcy is available for sale along with the property for an undisclosed additional fee

According to historian Sir Tom Devine in his book The Scottish Nation: A Modern History, Leslie Castle is 'the last fortified house in Scotland'

According to historian Sir Tom Devine in his book The Scottish Nation: A Modern History, Leslie Castle is ‘the last fortified house in Scotland’

According to historian Sir Tom Devine in his book The Scottish Nation: A Modern History, Leslie Castle is ‘the last fortified house in Scotland.’

The castle, near the village of Insch, was built in around 1661 and is described by the sellers as: ‘A fairy tale castle with turrets and tower set in the heart of Aberdeenshire.’

They add: ‘This is a five storey tower house built of one metre thick granite walls under a slate roof.

The castle, near the village of Insch, was built in around 1661 and is described by the sellers as: 'A fairy tale castle with turrets and tower set in the heart of Aberdeenshire'

The castle, near the village of Insch, was built in around 1661 and is described by the sellers as: ‘A fairy tale castle with turrets and tower set in the heart of Aberdeenshire’

Strutt & Parker added in the brochure: 'Within the garden is a large cobbled area which no doubt has an interesting historical past, probably linked to the motte, although its use is unclear

Strutt & Parker added in the brochure: ‘Within the garden is a large cobbled area which no doubt has an interesting historical past, probably linked to the motte, although its use is unclear

‘Leslie was carefully restored to retain the character and architectural integrity of the original structure, including the very rare lantern tower.

‘Connecting all the floors, this square stair tower has an unusual lantern void to light the stairs.

‘The sellers have inherited a barony title, Baron of Leslie (granted in 2004), with the property.

‘This could be included in the sale at a price in addition. The coat of arms includes three ears of corn, a turnip, a carp, a falcon and three buckles, which has historic significance.’

The castle was used as a bed and breakfast before it was put on the market

The castle was used as a bed and breakfast before it was put on the market

Strutt & Parker added in the brochure: ‘Within the garden is a large cobbled area which no doubt has an interesting historical past, probably linked to the motte, although its use is unclear.

‘The fifth floor is the top of the tower with a triple aspect and distant commanding views over the surrounding countryside. There is also a spiral stair up to the battlements and flagpole.’

The history behind the castle and its site dates back to around 1069 and the progenitor of the Clan Leslie, Lord Lesse – whose family name was Bartholomew.

The remodeling completed in the 1980s boasted a vaulted kitchen (pictured above)

The remodeling completed in the 1980s boasted a vaulted kitchen (pictured above)

With surrounding Craigievar and Kildrummy Castles as well as the famous Bennachie mountain there is no shortage of things to see in the area

With surrounding Craigievar and Kildrummy Castles as well as the famous Bennachie mountain there is no shortage of things to see in the area

Bartholomew was a Hungarian noble who arrived in Scotland as an advisor and assistant of the future Queen Margaret, who was later made a Saint. 

Queen Margret married King Malcom III with Bartholomew being given the high post of Chamberlain.

According to the brochure: ‘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’.’

He subsequently married Malcolm’s sister Princess Beatrix in 1070.

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