Ross 'Outlander' castle cash boost

A ROSS-shire castle, thought to be the inspiration for TV hit drama Outlander’s Castle Leoch, is to receive a heritage cash boost.

Castle Leod at Strathpeffer is among seven projects which will share grants totalling £576,460 from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

In Diana Gabaldon’s bestselling novels, Castle Leoch is the seat of the Clan Mackenzie with filming for the TV adaption shot at Doune Castle.

However, the writer is thought to have taken inspiration for her fictional site from Castle Leod, home to the Earl of Cromartie and clan chief, John Mackenzie.

The Category A-listed castle is set to receive a grant of £13,680 as part of the third phase of a project to open up the 16th century building to the public.

The castle is recognised as being of national and international importance due to its architectural quality and the survival of 16th and 17th century fabrics featured.

The surrounding gardens and landscape are included on the national inventory for landscapes.

The funding will be used to carry out essential repairs to parts of the castle, in order to help create a visitor centre, study room and refurbished disabled toilet.

The new visitor centre will allow the castle to increase its opening hours and days.

Martin Fairley, head of grants at HES, said: "The purpose of building repair grants is primarily to assist with the repair and reuse of important historic buildings and sites, but also to ensure that the end use is something which the wider community benefits from."

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