Castle Leod

Castle Leod is a privately occupied tower house of the 16th century built for the Mackenzie family, and has been associated with the Castle Leoch of the popular “Outlander” TV series, although not used for filming. It occupies a commanding position overlooking the head of Strathpeffer.

The lands of Cultelleod were held by the Mackenzies of Killin from 1556 having been dominated by the Kintail Mackenzies for a century or more. Establishing who built the castle and when is made difficult by repeated mythologising, but it was likely built in the last years of teh 16th century and then reworked c1616 as recorded for Roderick Mackenzie of Coigach, the tutor of Kintail in datestones of this year. The castle needed reroofing in 1690 after being garrisoned by government troops, and was considered uninhabitable by 1714. The castle was occupied by government troops again in 1746, after which Caastle Leod was handed over to the government. By 1814 it was in ruins and needed extensive refurbishment for the Countess of Sutherland, whose descendants remain occupants of the house.

HES Canmore database entry
Official website of Castle Leod