Good news (hopefully!) on the fate of Noelle, Countess of Rothes’ former home, the 17th century Leslie House, in Fife, which is soon to be restored for residential purposes after serving for several decades as a senior citizens retirement facility operated by the Church of Scotland.
Leslie House was recently the center of controversy when the Church forced its elderly residents out of their apartments in order to place it on the market in 2004. The mansion, once part of a 10,000 acre estate that included three parishes, 20 farms and hundreds of tenants, now sits on a mere 26 acres of lawn, garden and woodland.
A few weeks ago, private individuals purchased Leslie House from the Church of Scotland, which had owned the historic property for over 50 years, having received it as a gift from Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn. Leslie House, built by the Duke of Rothes in 1670, was the ancestral seat of the Leslie family, Earls of Rothes, until 1919, when it was sold by Noelle’s husband, Norman, the 19th earl, to a Captain Crundall, a London investor. He later sold the property to the Spencer-Nairns.
As heiress to millionaire Thomas Dyer-Edwardes, Noelle Rothes’ wealth provided for an extensive refurbishment of the 5-story, 30,000 square foot manor beginning in 1904, after Norman inherited it from his uncle. Noelle’s personal touches were an Italian garden and a conservatory. The latter remains in tact, according to the realtors, though it’s in need of restoration. Rhododendrons, which Noelle’s late grandson, Ian, the 21st Earl of Rothes, said were planted by her as part of her original garden scheme, are also still growing on the estate.
On the grounds of Leslie House is the family cemetery, containing the grave of Noelle’s husband. It’s possible that Noelle is also interred there, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Leslie House is located 4 miles west of Glenrothes and 34 miles from Edinburgh. The extent of the present owner’s plans for restoration are not yet known.
Leslie House was recently the center of controversy when the Church forced its elderly residents out of their apartments in order to place it on the market in 2004. The mansion, once part of a 10,000 acre estate that included three parishes, 20 farms and hundreds of tenants, now sits on a mere 26 acres of lawn, garden and woodland.
A few weeks ago, private individuals purchased Leslie House from the Church of Scotland, which had owned the historic property for over 50 years, having received it as a gift from Sir Robert Spencer-Nairn. Leslie House, built by the Duke of Rothes in 1670, was the ancestral seat of the Leslie family, Earls of Rothes, until 1919, when it was sold by Noelle’s husband, Norman, the 19th earl, to a Captain Crundall, a London investor. He later sold the property to the Spencer-Nairns.
As heiress to millionaire Thomas Dyer-Edwardes, Noelle Rothes’ wealth provided for an extensive refurbishment of the 5-story, 30,000 square foot manor beginning in 1904, after Norman inherited it from his uncle. Noelle’s personal touches were an Italian garden and a conservatory. The latter remains in tact, according to the realtors, though it’s in need of restoration. Rhododendrons, which Noelle’s late grandson, Ian, the 21st Earl of Rothes, said were planted by her as part of her original garden scheme, are also still growing on the estate.
On the grounds of Leslie House is the family cemetery, containing the grave of Noelle’s husband. It’s possible that Noelle is also interred there, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Leslie House is located 4 miles west of Glenrothes and 34 miles from Edinburgh. The extent of the present owner’s plans for restoration are not yet known.
