Est. 1650

Leith-Hay

Family Archive

Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Seven Centuries of Heritage

A Legacy Preserved

Where History Lives & Breathes

The Leith-Hay family of Leith Hall, near Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, have built a remarkable legacy spanning seven centuries. From the medieval lands of Leith to the baronial grandeur of Leith Hall, through military distinction at Salamanca and the passionate preservation of Scottish heraldic tradition — this archive chronicles a dynasty that has shaped and been shaped by the story of Scotland itself.

Heritage Pillars

Four Pillars of the Leith-Hay Legacy

The Hall

A living monument spanning four centuries of architectural evolution and family tradition.

Genealogy

Tracing the Leith and Hay bloodlines across seven centuries of Scottish heritage.

Heraldry

Coats of arms, clan heraldry, and historic symbols of the Leith-Hay lineage.

Military Heritage

Salamanca 1812 & Pitsligo's Horse

General Sir Andrew Leith carried the family name onto the battlefields of the Peninsular War. At Salamanca in 1812, he led the 5th Division in a decisive charge that helped turn the tide against Napoleon. Alongside this, the legacy of Pitsligo’s Horse — the Jacobite cavalry regiment — remains a defining chapter in the family’s martial history.

"Trustie to the End"

— Leith-Hay Family Motto

The Estate

Leith Hall & Grounds

The hall has evolved over four centuries, from a modest tower house into the baronial mansion that stands today. Its music room, dining room, and gardens remain testaments to the family’s enduring taste and stewardship.

The 1819 Tartan

A Pattern Woven Into Identity

Registered in 1819, the Leith-Hay tartan is among the earliest formally documented clan tartans in Scotland. Its distinctive pattern encodes the union of the Leith and Hay bloodlines — a woven declaration of identity that descendants wear with pride to this day.

Join the Legacy

Are You a Descendant?

Whether your surname is Leith, Hay, Leith-Hay, or a connected branch, we invite you to contribute to this living archive. Share your family stories, documents, and photographs.

Aberdeenshire, Scotland · Est. 1650