An American couple who spent £1.25million on a Scottish castle have told of their shock at discovering the dream home was close to collapse due to its rotting foundations.
David and Chelom Leavitt moved more than 4500 miles from Utah after buying 175-year-old Knockderry Castle in Cove, Argyll.
The couple began restoring the historic property, which boasts four reception rooms and overlooks Loch Long, in 2023.
But two years on, they only now realise how close their castle was to falling down.
David said: “One thing that strikes me in January 2025, if you look back at January 2024 and compare where we are now, it would look like we’re actually gone backwards in our progress.
“Except for the attic which is everyone’s happy place because it’s finished and we can go and see what the rest of the castle might look like one day.
“If you look at it, it’s like we are in a worse spot today than we were a year ago. That’s not the case. We started at the bottom and have so many structural repairs.
“The thing I didn’t know a year ago was exactly how close this castle was to absolutely collapsing. This castle would not have lasted another five years.
“Tough to believe we’re starting our third year with Knockderry.
“It’s amazing to think how our lives have changed since we purchased the castle.
“Many relationships we’ve formed with people who work on the castle, visit the castle or who have seen it on Instagram and stop by to say hello.
“We’ve been so fortunate to meet so many people who share a similar dream.”
Argyll and Bute Council approved the couple’s plans to carry out work on the property last January and they hope to restore the building to its former glory.
They are documenting their renovation project on Instagram to their one million followers with regular updates.
David was formerly a prosecutor known for his efforts to extradite Nicholas Rossi, a US fugitive who faked his own death to avoid rape charges and was arrested in Glasgow.
He added: “The rocks, the stones, if they ever were there they are not there now – people say how in the world is this still standing.
“It’s become a sense of purpose to save something that is larger than us and the save something that to me, Knockderry, there’s a spirit about it.”
The castle and grounds still includes original features such as cow step gables, turrets, stone balustrades, and a wood-panelled drawing room with vintage fireplaces as well as panelling, and stained glass windows.
Council approved plans include replacing timber sash and case windows and doors, as well as the installation of door and glazing to existing arches, and installation of replacement external steel staircase.
But the couple says that the renovation process will not be a quick turnaround and is simply a “labour of love.”
Chelom said: “I see a lot of five or 15-minute transformations of big, historic buildings – it’s not realistic.
“This hard work, it’s thousands of decisions a week – it’s a huge team, it’s not just us.
“This is going to be a long process and it should be. It’s a labour of love. This is a beautiful building and it’s going to take some time.”
The castle was originally designed by famed architect Alexander “Greek” Thomson in the 1850s for James Templeton, a textile manufacturer.
When John Templeton, a carpet manufacturer took over ownership, he commissioned William Leiper to make some Baronial additions to the estate.
The castle was owned by businesswoman Marian Van Overwaele, who went bankrupt in 2000 and, after a 22-year legal battle, was finally evicted in 2022.
Chelom added: “This really is a special place.
“One visitor this summer put it this way, There was a reason the Vikings built this very spot, and a castle was built on this
very spot and you guys are restoring it to probably how better than what it was originally. It really is an enchanted castle.”
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