OS1/13/95/4

Continued entries/extra info

4 T. [Trace] 1 24D.

[Quotation]
"Balgonie Castle, one of the seats of the Earl of Leven, is a fabric of great antiquity and considerable strength. The time when it was built cannot be exactly ascertained; but from the best information that can be got, it appears to be of the same age with the Cathedral of St. Andrews, which was built in the 12th Century. This Castle is pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Leven, elevated about 36 feet above the bed of the river. It is of a quadrangular form, and stands upon an area of 135 feet by 105. The open Court within, is 108 feet by 65. The tower which stands on the north side, and near the N.W. [North West] angle is 45 feet by 36 over the walls, and 80 feet high. Connected with the tower is a house of 3 stories, by General Sir Alexander Leslie, extending to the N.E, [North East] corner and on the E [East] side of the Court is another house of the same height, built by the present Earl of Leven's Grandfather, from the vaults under these new buildings, and the thickness of the walls in the lower story, it appears probable that the old buildings had been equally extensive, and that the new houses had been raised on the foundations of the old; On the S. 7 W. [South & West] sides of the Court there is a high Strong wall which appears coeval with the tower; and without the wall there has been a large fosse, the remains of which are still to be seen. Balgonie which anciently belonged to a family the name of Sibbald, was purchased in the reign of Charles I. by General [Leslie], who was created Earl of Leven by that Monarch in 1641." Old Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] See next page