mid-18th century. Other nearby famous noble homes in northeast Scotland built by the Burnetts of Leys are Crathes Castle and Muchalls Castle. There is extant considerable genealogical data concerning the Burnett of Leys family (see particularly G. Burnett, 1901, and Bailey et al., 2005). Setting details The surrounding countryside is fertile agricultural land producing grains and providing grazing for cattle. Topographically the region is composed of very gently rolling terrain quite suitable for agriculture. In the 18th century, the estate would have amounted to approximately 190 square kilometres. While there were numerous smaller residences on the estate from the 18th century on, in the 19th and 20th centuries more development has taken place closer to Monboddo House in the form of several single-family residences. The estate has a peaceful setting being several kilometres from the nearest dual carriageway, the A90. Sound levels were measured at the estate to be in the range of 48 to 53 dBA. Twentieth century In 1930 a postcard of Monboddo House was created by G. Arthur Dixon. After Burnett ownership ceased in the early 1960s the estate fell into disrepair, a situation that has been reversed. As of 2006 the home is in a good state of conservation and repair. The owner reported that there is considerable current interest in the house from people around the world with an interest in Lord Monboddo; particular interest derives not only from researchers in the United Kingdom but also Japan and the United States. Monboddo House is less frequently referred to as Monboddo Castle. James Malcolm Burnett, the last laird of Monboddo, had no children of his own, but had one stepson, who now lives in Canada. References Official Burnett Website Bailey, Eileen A. FSA, James C.A. Burnett, Charles J. Burnett and Christopher Croly, The Holly and the Horn, Leys Publishing, Banchory (2005) Burnett, George,The family of Burnett of Leys, edited by J. Allardyce, New Spalding Club, Aberdeen (1901) Hogan, C.M., Monboddo House, Lumina Technologies, Aberdeen Library Archives, July, 2006 Tranter, Nigel, The Fortified House in Scotland, Volume IV, (1962 to 1971) Country houses in Aberdeenshire Category B listed buildings in Aberdeenshire Castles in Aberdeenshire