Picture this. You stand before Lee Castle a majestic castellated mansion. Its history whispers from the stones. Lee Castle has stood for centuries. The Lockharts of Lee called it home from the 13th century until 1919. The current structure is a 19th-century rebuild.
Sir Simon Locard a knight who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence is a key figure. He accompanied Sir James Douglas on a pilgrimage. Their mission to carry Robert the Bruce’s heart to the Holy Land ended tragically. Douglas died in Spain. Sir Simon returned the heart to Scotland for burial at Melrose Abbey. For this act he added the heart and fetterlock to the family’s coat of arms. He also acquired the Lee Penny a powerful amulet.
Lee Castle’s history is filled with dramatic turns. Sir William Lockhart of Lee fought for the Royalists then switched sides. He married Oliver Cromwell’s niece. He served as Cromwell’s commissioner for justice in Scotland and as English ambassador to France. His brother George became Lord Advocate. Their descendants continued to shape Scottish history. Some supported the Jacobite cause. One even fought in the Austrian army. Intrigue and inheritance disputes also marked their lineage.
Lee Castle’s grounds are extensive and well-maintained. They were recorded on William Roy’s maps in the mid-18th century. Sir Charles Lockhart built a new house in 1817. Sir Norman Lockhart commissioned James Gillespie Graham to design the much larger present house. The construction took place between 1834 and 1845. The 5th Baronet made further changes. The estate passed out of the family’s hands in 1948. It was later divided in the 1970s. The feudal barony of Lee was even granted to a new owner.
Lee Castle has changed hands several times since. It was once listed on eBay. An American tycoon Addison Fischer purchased it. Major restoration work followed. The house contains 14 bedrooms a grand ballroom a banqueting hall and a swimming pool. A prominent feature is the Pease Tree. Legend says Robert the Bruce signed a charter there. Some say Oliver Cromwell dined beneath it.
Lee Castle stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Lockhart family. It’s more than just a building. It’s a window into Scottish history a legacy woven into the very fabric of its walls.