John Leitch of Kilmardinny

Estate and house in Co. Dumbarton, 'six miles from Glasgow' in the late 19thC. Bought and remodelled by John Leitch c. 1800-1805, with a new front. It passed from him to the family of his nephew James Leitch.

" My uncle Leitch (John) had bought a pretty place near Glasgow, and made a handsome house out of the shabby one he found there by adding to the front a great building in very good taste. We two were quite astonished at the first aspect of Kilmerdinny. Large, wide steps led to a portico, a good hall, and then a circular saloon the height of the house, out of which all the rooms opened, those on the upper floor being reached by a gallery which ran round the saloon. Fine gardens, greenhouse, hothouses, hot walls, plenty of fruit, a lake with two swans on it—and butler at our breakfast—made us believe ourselves in Paradise! There was a beautiful drawing-room and a sunny little parlour, and a window somewhere above at which our handsome aunt appeared, and threw out pears to us." We were sorry to go away, although there were no children to play with. The house was full of company, but they did not interfere with us, and when we did see any of these strangers they were very kind. (From "Memoires of a Highland Lady" by Elizabeth Grant. [niece of John Leitch])