A Reflection on Leslie Castle and the Gift of Stewardship.
This talk was delivered at the Leslie Chapel of Garioch, Sunday July 6, 2025 as a part of the Leslie Clan Gathering 2025.
By Nicola, Baroness of Leslie
Good morning, everyone.
Today, I want to share a story—not just of stone and timber, but of legacy, faith, and the sacred duty of stewardship, that comes with ownership. It’s the story of Leslie Castle, a place that has stood for nearly a thousand years, and the people who have carried its torch through the centuries.
The roots of this story stretch back to the 11th century, when the Hungarian nobleman known to us as Bartholomew arrived in Scotland in the company of Princess Margaret, who would become Queen and later Saint Margaret of Scotland. And it was here, in the Garioch district of Aberdeenshire, that he built his home at “Leslie,” described as being between a “less and ley,” or a stream and a meadow—the first Leslie Castle.
Similarly, we all know that history tells us that while fording a swollen river with Queen Margaret, she cried out, “Gin the buckle bide?”—“Will the buckle hold?” Bartholomew shouted back, “Grip fast!” and pulled her to safety. That phrase, Grip Fast, became the family motto, and the three buckles on the Leslie coat of arms still bear witness to that moment of courage and care.
Kinship is at the heart of this story. Bartholomew’s act of bravery was not just for his queen, but for a member of his extended family, bound by loyalty and shared purpose. This sense of kinship has been passed down through generations, shaping the values and actions of those who have called Leslie Castle home.
Fast forward to the 1980s. The castle, long fallen into ruin, was lovingly restored by David and Leslie Leslie. Ten years of work. Over a million pounds. Fifty-five windows handcrafted on a kitchen table. It was a quiet sacrifice, not unlike the words from Hebrews 13: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” And today, thanks to their vision and our stewardship, Leslie Castle stands not just as a guesthouse, but as a living sanctuary of heritage.
Guests come from around the world to stay in this authentic Scottish stronghold—hosted by the Baron and his family, nourished by local food, and surrounded by stories that echo through the stone walls. But behind the beauty lies a deeper truth: preserving history is hard. It’s expensive. It’s slow. And it often doesn’t fit neatly into modern systems of taxation or business.
Yet it is important work.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 13:22, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” That inheritance isn’t just wealth—it’s wisdom, memory, and place. It’s the courage to say, “This matters. This is worth saving.”
Micah reminds us that the Lord does not demand grand, performative offerings. What He asks is this: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. In the Leslie story, that walk took the shape of building, protecting, and passing on something more than stone—it was about character, stewardship, and honouring where we’ve come from.
Kinship extends beyond bloodlines. It encompasses the bonds we form with our community, our environment, and our shared history. At Leslie Castle, we’ve re-homed bees, insulated ancient walls, and replaced roof tiles after storms. We’ve faced red tape, long delays, and trades unfamiliar with the quirks of a 17th-century structure. But we’ve kept going. Because we understand what Bartholomew did nearly a millennium ago: that to grip fast is to hold on—not just to a belt, but to a calling.
So, I ask you today: what have you been called to grip fast to? What legacy are you building, preserving, or passing on?
Let us be people who remember. Who restore. Who rise to the challenge of stewardship—not just of castles, but of communities, of faith, and of the stories that shape us.
Thank you.