Our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series: Part II- Leith Hall
- Wee Walking Tours
- Jul 6
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
*Join us as we continue our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series. Recently, Walter brought you to Crathes Castle, Garden, and Estate. We hope you now enjoy this look back from last summer when Arthur was still just a wee pup as he makes his debut writing for the Wee Walking Tours blog with his post on Leith Hall in Aberdeenshire, Scotland!
Arthur’s Travel Journal: Day 2- Leith Hall
I haven’t been with my family long, but one thing I’ve already learned is that I already love to go on what my older brother, Walter, calls ‘explore and discover’ adventures! We are camping, and it is so much fun because we get to sleep outside in a tent. It’s a lot smaller than my house, but I like it because we all sleep in the same room. Although Mom doesn’t seem too thrilled with the setup- especially when I woke her up this morning by licking her face. She said it was too early (something about 4:00am) and told me to go back to sleep after she brought me out to go pee. I couldn’t really go back to sleep though because I was too excited to see what adventure we were going on.
Yesterday, we visited a place called Crathes Castle, and I had a blast exploring the grounds with Walter. Therefore, I’m excited to see what today’s exploration will be. As I ate my breakfast (more like ‘inhaled’ according to Dad), I found out that we are going to an historic house called Leith Hall. Mom and Dad have been getting everything ready for the day, and we are about to set off in the car.
The grounds of Leith Hall are vast and green, perfect for a young pup like me to stretch my legs. I just have a feeling that today is going to be a day filled with sniffing, exploring, and escapades! My big brother, Walter, is already leading the charge, bounding ahead and barking out orders like the bossy boy he can be. I don’t mind though, because while he may seem tough, I’ve learned that he has a bit of a soft spot for me.
This driveway sure is a lot bigger than ours back home. I’m in awe of the house, and Walter just said something about it being more of a mansion.
Apparently, the Leith family built the original tower house around 1650. It has changed a lot over the years, and Mom tells me that Leith Hall, as seen today, reminds her of the chateaux in the Loire Valley in France. I don’t know where that is, but Walter says he would love to go someday.
Before we go in the house, let’s walk around the grounds a bit. Mom says that one of her favourite things to do on our explorations is to look for unique looking trees. Well, I’ve just come across one that I think she will find fascinating. According to Dad, this is ‘The Dule Tree’. It’s an old sycamore tree, and legend has it that it was used as a ‘G-A-L-L-O-W-S’. I don’t know how to spell yet, but Walter says that Mom and Dad usually spell words, so we won’t know what they’re saying. But he says the joke’s on them because he already knows how to spell ‘W-A-L-K’ and ‘F-O-O-D’. Anyway, they say I’m too young to learn what the tree was used for, but I’m hoping you’ll understand.
Walter, Dad, and I are going to continue our exploration of the estate while Mom takes her turn touring the house.
I’m always trying to show Walter that I can be brave like him. He says if I really want to prove it, I should follow him to see what might be living under this shelter of trees. I’m a little nervous, but I suppose I’ll give it a go. Oh no, I think I just heard something stirring! There goes Walter and he’s not waiting for me!
I don’t know why Dad is laughing so hard at us- that was scary! He says there wasn’t anything there, and that it was probably just a squirrel moving nearby in the bushes. I don’t care what he says, I agree with Walter that you can never be too careful, and it’s highly likely that it could have been a monster. We need to get out of here.
Having covered a safe distance from the tree monster, we have come across a lovely pond. Mom is always saying that it’s important to stop and smell the roses, but I suppose these flowers will have to do.
I’m starting to get hungry, and I hope we will break soon for lunch. This courtyard seems like the perfect place as it has a lot of shade. Dad confirms this and says that Mom will be coming out soon and then we will eat here. There was mention of a ‘hot dog’ on the menu. Now, I’m definitely hot in this sun, but I hope they won’t be eating me!
We’re getting ready to pose for pictures again. How many pictures does this man need?! Walter says I need to stop being so antsy and be more ‘professional’. But I just can’t help myself and sometimes I get the irresistible urge to roll in the grass. Much to Walter’s chagrin, Dad is laughing and says I’m clearly ‘living my best life’ on this trip.
Oh boy, Walter’s doing that thing again where, for some reason, he closes his eyes and starts to count to ten. I’m not positive, but I think he is just practicing his mathematical skills. Although now Dad is telling Walter to be patient with me. I don’t know how Walter could be impatient with me. After all, people keep telling me how adorable I am everywhere we go, so Walter must agree.
Just like Crathes Castle, dogs are not allowed in the garden at Leith Hall. I’m a bit disappointed, but Dad says that an important life lesson I need to learn that is that there are certain places where dogs cannot go. That’s okay, because I’m very tired and I’m just going to take a wee nap. I hope Walter doesn’t mind if I cuddle with him again. It’s one of my favourite things to do when I sleep.
Here are Dad's pictures from the garden, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Mom and Dad shared a bit with Walter and I about the house (including some pictures), and I would like to tell you a little about that now (or at least what I can remember). The Leiths and later the Leith-Hays family lived at Leith House for over 300 years. It wasn’t until after World War II that Leith Hall was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). Therefore, the house is a fascinating look at a family that lived there for so many centuries. Let’s head inside for a wee tour.
Mom says that the NTS’s description of the house as a “quirky historic home filled with curios from all over the world” is very fitting. Here are some of the highlights of the tour:
One of her favourite rooms is the Music Room:
Well, it’s been such a wonderful day, but my wee legs are tired and even Walter seems like he’s ready to head back to our comfy bed at camp. I hope you have enjoyed my account of our day at Leith Hall. Mom says to be sure to tell you that you must visit it in person if you are in the area. You can visit the National Trust for Scotland website to learn more about how to best plan your trip.
Be sure to subscribe to our blog because Walter and I will be sharing more of our epic travel series through Aberdeenshire (with a few stops in Morayshire).
Until next time- Explore & Discover!
