Harthill Castle

#190 Harthill Castle
Aberdeen & Gordon, Scotland
late 16th or 1601 or 1638
This is NOT an official Lego site

Harthill Castle is assumed to have been built by the Leiths, since the property has been held by the family since 1531. There are questions, however, about which member of the family built the castle, and when it was built. While it seems reasonable that the Leiths would have built a stone residence in the 16th century, there was a report of a corner stone dated 1601, but that stone has since disappeared. And several trusted chroniclers who date the castle at 1638. Some chroniclers suggest a major restoration took place at the hands of John Leith, aka the "Violent Laird" in that year, while others attribute the tower house to the first owner of the castle, one Patrick Leith. It was his namesake who is remembered for his boldness and leadership in the army of the Earl of Montrose during the English Civil War. He was unfortunately captured by General Middleton in 1647, and beheaded at the age of 25. Incidentally Middleton switched to the Royalist camp the very next year.

There are no reports of the castle being directly involved in any conflicts, but things did not go well for the Leiths, and Patrick Leith reportedly torched the castle near the end of the 17th century to avoid losing it to creditors. It gradually became more ruinous over the next three centuries, and was acquired by the Erskines of Pittodrie. Ann Tweedy (Savage) and Steve Remp purchased the ruin in 1975, and spent the next 2½ years restoring the structure. The castle's current owner, the late Ms. Savage' husband, Michael "Duke" Savage, has made the castle available for weddings, corporate events and the like.

Photos of the Lego Model Under Construction September 2024

Construction begins on September 21, with the castle and bawn laid out.	Through the next day the groiund floor arrowslits and shot holes have been defined.	Construction continues on Sept. 22, with both the bawn walls and ground floor more defined.	And the first look at the model from the northwest.


For September 24, we'll begin with the northeast view. But, for the rest...	...of the day, I'm switching to diagonal views. The view from the east.	The south view features the round tower.	The west view shows off both the Z-plan and the completion of the 1st floor.	And from the north, we're back to the bawn as I imagine it looked.


By the next day, the castle has risen to the level of the 2nd story.	And I'll switch back to the view from the northeast.	The view from the southeast gives a new angle on both the gatehouse and shed/stable(?).	And the "back" (southwest) view, with the kitchen ground- level on the left.	And the northwest view. Did you notice the Laird's wife?


Work on September 26 takes the castle up to ...	...the level of the corbelled-out bartizans.	The southeast view of the round tower now includes its 3rd floor.	The back of the tower house...	...and the northwest. Roofing will begin soon!


And on the 27th the corbelled-out bartizans...	...are in place on the east corners of the rectangular block..	...and the opposite corners of the main block.	And roofing the castle has just begun!	See below for pictures of completed model, finished on September 29!


Here's a detail of the little gate and stable of the bawn.	And the protected castle doorway.	The small balcony above the castle entrance, with bartizan door highlighted.	Same balcony, with the doorway from the castle.


A general detail of the roofs.	A close-up of one of the bartizans.	The roofing of the round tower was the biggest challenge - the tower is 19-stud diameter...	...but the roof had to be an even 20. So lots of Lego "jumpers" to gain 1/2 stud.


Construction of Sept. 23 has tried to recreate the little gatehouse...	...and bring this fascinating Z-plan up to 1st floor level.	The view from the southwest...	...and from the southeast!

Photos of the Lego Model Built September 21-29. 2024

Here are the compass point views of the completed model, beginning from the southeast.	From the south.	And southwest.	From the west.


And the northwest.	And the north.	From the northeast.	And finally the castle seen from the east.


Southeast Elevation	Northeast Elevation	Northwest Elevation	Southwest Elevation


Ground Floor Plan	1st Floor Plan

Build Your Own

Lego Plan	Top Down Plan