Family

As the most recent owners of Leys Estate, the McGilvray's are part of a 300 year old history going back to 1712 when it was originally owned by the Baillie family.

It is Col. John Baillie's arms that depict a boars head and this is still found around Leys Castle, embossed on waterheads and the like.

In 1926, Sir Francis Walker - an Olympic sportsman - bought the estate and vigorously set about developing the Castle, its grounds and farms.

He created modern staff accommodation, terraced lawns and, of all things, an Olympic-sized swimming pool. This was used by his family for swimming and boating in the summer and curling and ice-skating in winter.

The Castle was also used as a military hospital in the Second World War and when Sir Francis moved back in 1958 he finished restoring it.