Clans of the North-East: Leslie
June 2009
The Leslie tartan with, inset, the chief’s standard. tartan courtesy of Scottish Tartans Authority
by Gordon Casely
A Hungarian called Bartolf or Bartholomew, a nobleman who arrived in Scotland in 1067 in the retinue of the royal brother and sister Edgar and Margaret, is claimed as the progenitor of this great Scottish house. It was Margaret who became queen of King Malcolm III.
For his qualities of intellect and bravery, King Malcolm granted Bartolf lands in the Mearns and Aberdeenshire, the latter including what is now the duthus or homeland of Leslie. Bartolf’s bravery in arms and exemplification of leadership continued in his son Malcolm, the boy becoming the man who was created constable of the royal castle at Inverurie.
Thus the Garioch became the crucible of Leslie life and fortune, and at one time it was said that so numerous were the number of Leslie cadet and minor houses in this part of Scotland that they were remembered in song
Thick sit the Leslies on Gadie side
At the back of Bennachie.
Today’s Leslie chief is 77-year-old Ian Leslie, 21st Earl of Rothes, descended down the centuries through a tortuous series of genealogical curves from Bartolf himself. In view of the work involved in heading an active clan in the 21st century, Lord Rothes’s elder son, 51-year-old James Malcolm David Leslie, is acting chief, and a trustee of the Clan Leslie Charitable Trust.
The family grew to encompass lairdships of Balquhain, Leslie (by Insch), Parkhill and Pitcaple. Castles they possessed in plenty, with the tower house of Leslie being an interesting example. A generation ago it lay ruinous, unloved until bought by Aberdeen architect David Leslie and his wife. They rebuilt and restored it, regaining in the process the ancient barony of Leslie. Thus David became baron of Leslie. More alliteratively, his wife Lesley became Lesley Leslie, Lady Leslie. The husband-and-wife team went on to play a leading role in Leslie affairs, hosting the first known clan gathering for 925 years.
The professional soldiers
Balquhain, a great Leslie messuage below Bennachie, is now a tiny shadow of what once it was, with just a single wall of the four-sided keep remaining – and that in very shaky condition indeed. In 1746, the place was set ablaze by the Hanoverian forces of the Duke of Cumberland, and never recovered.
If there is a single occupation that identifies Leslies, it is professional soldiery. With Europe in the 17th century an almost permanent battleground, the requirement for able leaders was high, and younger sons of many Scots noble houses went there in search of fortune. Leading Leslies fought as mercenaries for commanders in Germany, France, Sweden and the Baltic, as well as forays into what is now Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Of the Balquhain Leslies alone, two ended up as counts and three as field-marshals. One of the best-remembered mercenaries is Alexander Leslie, recalled from mainland Europe to take command of the Covenanting army, and for his prowess later raised to the peerage as Earl of Leven.
Those great of the name in our own times include Harald Leslie, later Lord Birsay the judge; Sir John Leslie, physicist; Charles Leslie, painter; Henry Leslie, composer; Peter Leslie, geologist; Thomas Leslie, economist; and Donald Leslie, sinologist. Septs and names associated with Leslie include Abernethy, Auchinachie and Bartholomew.
Three Leslie tartans are known to exist – Red Leslie, Hebridean Leslie, and the more usual Hunting Leslie. The blue-and-green design of Hunting Leslie dates from 1810, and is said to have been introduced by George, 14th Earl of Rothes.
The clan plant bonnet badge is rue (ruta graveolens), an evergreen perennial with yellow flowers. Rue is said to guard against depredations of toads and snakes. During a full moon, wearing a sprig is guaranteed to keep werewolves at bay.
Or so they say.
This is an article from the June 2009 edition of Leopard Magazine. To read much more like this every month, see our subscription details.