A Highland castle thought to be the inspiration for “Castle Leoch” in the popular Outlander novels is to receive a building repair grant as part of a project to welcome more people through its doors.
Castle Leod in Strathpeffer, Easter Ross, is one of seven recipients of the grants across Scotland.
The Category A listed castle is set to receive £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.
Its 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 create a visitor centre, study room, and refurbished disabled toilets.
The new visitor centre will allow the castle to increase its opening hours and days.
Martin Fairley, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, 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.”
