Following a civil hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on September 20 a decree for the repossession of 16th century Lickleyhead Castle near Insch in Aberdeenshire has been granted.
Built in 1560 for William Forbes of Leslie, Lickleyhead Castle is owned by Aberdeenshire councillor Sebastian Leslie who has been suspended by the Scottish Conservative party until next year over unpaid council tax. His daughter, Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie, lived at the castle as a child and recently married her co-star Kit Harrington at another of the family's properties, Wardhill Castle.
The court order permits the pursuer in the case to take possession of Lickleyhead Castle and sell it and decreed that Mr Leslie, his family and any other occupants should leave the property. Mr Leslie did not attend the court hearing but submitted an email confirming there was no objection to the case.
Lickleyhead Castle is still listed on the rental site Airbnb , where it is being promoted as a great venue for family gatherings, reunions and birthday celebrations, but recent comments posted by potential customers reveal that their bookings had been cancelled at short notice.
The castle has passed through a number of owners including Patrick Duff, the uncle of the Earl of Fife who reputedly had 36 children. In 1922 the former governor of Mexico City, Don Guillermo de Landay y Escandon, bought the property for his daughter Maria Luz, who married into the Arbuthnot-Leslie family. In 2013 Lickleyhead Castle was marketed for sale for offers over £1.35 million. At the time it was reported that the Leslie family were selling the A-listed property, which was primarily used for weddings and functions, as it was surplus to their requirements.
Time will tell what the future holds for this next chapter in Lickleyhead Castle's history.
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