12th-century Scottish castle used as holiday venue without permission
Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie’s family are using their 12th century Scottish castle home as holiday retreat despite not having planning permission
- Leslie and Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington wed at Wardhill Castle in 2018
- 12th-century estate, near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, is used as wedding venue
- Its current owners have also transformed the castle into a holiday retreat
- But they were ‘not aware’ they needed planning permission in order to do so
- They retrospectively applied to the local council, stressing economic benefits
The family of Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie have been using the Scottish castle where she was married as a holiday retreat without planning permission.
12th-century Wardhill Castle, near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, passed into the hands of William Arbuthnot Leslie and his wife Sarah four years ago.
They have since transformed the castle into a holiday destination but were ‘not aware’ they needed official permission to do so.
12th-century Wardhill Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland whose owners are retrospectively applying for planning permission having converted it into a holiday retreat
Rose Leslie and Kit Harington, stars of Game of Thrones, married at her family’s Scottish castle in 2018
The couple have applied to Aberdeenshire Council for retrospective assent to change the use of the castle and an adjoining bothy and ensure the holiday letting business is legal.
The castle, a 25 mile drive north-west of Aberdeen, is set in sprawling grounds and the accommodation combines newly-decorated bedrooms and modern bathrooms with ornate drawing rooms and lounges reflecting 900 years of history.
It can be hired out on either a self-catered or catered basis for up to 16 guests.
In a bid to gain permission, documents submitted by the couple stated: ‘This will provide net economic and social benefits by enabling tourists staying at Wardhill Castle to visit the local rural area and the nearby local attractions and provide revenue into the local business, such as nearby castle, golf clubs, whisky distilleries, as well as the town’s restaurants, cafes and retail units.
‘There are also opportunities for local smaller businesses to benefit from the castle guests, in the form of catering, transport, on-site beauty treatments and outdoor activities that are offered to the guests.’
The ornate drawing room capable of hosting 80 guests for weddings at Wardhill Castle
One of the lavishly-decorated lounges open to guests staying at the 12th-century castle
One of the modern bedrooms at the castle, transformed by William and Sarah Leslie
A view of one of the en-suite bathrooms in the eight bedrooms at the Aberdeenshire castle
Wardhill Castle is set on a vast estate with guests able to go quad biking or shooting
Their application concluded that the plans will deliver a ‘new luxury destination’ with the aim of attracting guests from all over the world.
Aberdeenshire Council will decide on the plans in due course. Representatives of the couple have been approached for comment.
Speaking to Homes and Interior Scotland last year, Mrs Leslie, a chartered surveyor, said: ‘We moved here in 2014 and had our son, Harry, a year later.
‘At the same time, we’d begun refurbishing Wardhill Castle and looking at ways it could provide an income.’
Game of Thrones stars Rose Leslie and husband Kit Harington, who met while filming the popular television series, were married there in 2018.
Over 80 family members, plus Game of Thrones co-stars Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage, watched them tie the knot in the castle’s ornate drawing room.
Leslie and Harington as their characters Ygritte and Jon Snow in Game of Thrones season three
Wardhill Castle is home to the ancient Leslie Clan, of which Rose is a part. Her father, the Honourable Alexander Leslie is the Clan Chief.
Set on a vast estate of corn fields and grazing sheep and cattle, it costs up to £5,500 for a weekend stay, rising to £7,500 at Christmas or Easter.
The castle has its own butler – charging guests £200-a-day, a house chef, cooking menus of up to £70 per person and a bag-piper on request.
The bedrooms each have their own name and distinct style, including the Turret bedroom, the Spanish bedroom, the Georgian bedroom and the Laird’s bedroom.
Activities on offer at the estate include clay pigeon shooting, quad biking and even a mini highland games.
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