Leys Castle, Inverness

[Old Bristolian]

Several of my wife's ancestors lived or worked at Leys Castle: Donald McLennan (mason) & Catherine Mackintosh in 1833 at the time of their marriage; their son Roderick (born 1841) gives it as his place of birth in later census returns & Roderick's wife, Mary Doyle & mother-in-law, Catherine Doyle were both servants there in the 1861 census. I believe the present building (was there an older one on the same site?) was built in the 1830s/1840s. Does anyone have any information on it or a way of accessing any photographs?

Steve

[prophetess]

As far as I can see Leys Castle is a listed building with the Historic Scotland,or The National Trust, its an A listed building, but I did find a site which gives the history back to 1500's called the Burnetts of Ley, and up to the presant Laird have not seen any onld photo's but thought this might help,

http://home.pacbell.net/roothub/leys.html

[Sitheil]

Hi Steve

I live nearby. Shall I take some photos of the site and/or get you information from the local Library?

Sitheil

[Old Bristolian]

Thanks for your answers - I'm not sure of the connection between Leys Castle and the Burnetts - could it have been built by a cadet branch? I gather the present building was built in the early nineteenth century (hence the presence of Donald McLennan as a mason?) but I'm not certain that there was anything on the site before.
Thank you for your offer Sitheil - a photo would be appreciated if possible - I believe the castle is in private hands & access may not be easy - as you say the Library in Inverness might help.
By the way, later in life Donald lived in Bogbain Stripe (according to the Census) just a mile or two from the castle - is this a village or hamlet & do you know if it still exists?
Its all so frustrating - my wife & I attended a wedding at Bunchrew Castle two years ago - before we had any idea of the family connection

Steve

[stg5]

Bogbain still exists but it is a farm/farmland now, if you drove up to inverness you would of passed it on the A9, about two miles south of inverness. Leys castle is 1 - 2 miles west of there, and is part of a large farm now.

[Piglet01]

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/gardens_search_more_info.htm?PageID=2302&bool=0&more_info=Site

The above link gives some details - castle built in 1833.  There also appear to be papers in the National Library for Scotland written by the architect.

Regards,    Steve   :O)

[Old Bristolian]

Thanks Steve,

I see from the report that access is "not encouraged". A shame that - no photos seem available on the net either, so I'll have to use my imagination

Steve

[Martin Briscoe]

Do a search of the Highland SMR on Am Baile

http://www.ambaile.org.uk/smr/index.jsp

Also the main Am Baile site

http://www.ambaile.org.uk/index.jsp

There is not a lot on CANMORE

http://www.rcahms.gov.uk



There is half a page on the building in Pevsner, I can scan if you are interested.


Martin Briscoe

[Old Bristolian]

Thanks Martin,

On the Am Baile site there is a lovely photo of the Castle & garden terraces - just what I was looking for. Thanks too for your kind offer to scan Pevsner for me - now I know its there, I'll obtain a copy through the library myself

Steve