Eleonora Strachan
edit| Lady Eleonora | |
|---|---|
| Baroness of Aberdeenshire | |
 Baroness Eleonora (William Dyce, 1858) | |
| Born | 20 March 1838 Milton Palace, Aberdeen |
| Spouse | Baron Robert Leslie (engaged 1853) |
| Issue | None |
| House | Clan Strachan |
| Father | Henry Strachan |
| Mother | Louise Innes |
Eleonora (Eleonora Victoria Louise Maria Strachan; 20 March 1838) is the seventh child and third daughter of Chief Henry Strachan and his wife Louise.
Early Life
editEleonora was born on 20 March 1838 in Milton Palace, Aberdeen. She was the third daughter and seventh child of the reining Chief of the Strachan Clan, Henry Strachan of Aberdeenshire, and his wife Louise Inness.
Henry and Louise chose the names Eleonora Victoria Louise Maria, to honour her with the names of her grandmother, the Queen, her mother and her aunt. She was christened in St. Machar's Cathedral on 01 May 1838.
Like her siblings, Eleonora was brought up with the strict programme of education devised by her father, Chief Henry, and his friend and confidant, Sir Bruce. The young children were taught practical tasks, such as cooking, farming and household tasks, as well as fencing.
From her early years, Eleonora was a talented and intelligent child, and her artistic talents were quickly recognised. Because of her noble rank, an artistic career was not considered. Her wit and intelligence made her a favourite with her father, with her inquisitive nature earning her the nickname "Little Miss Eager" from other members of her family.
As a daughter of a Baron, Louise was a desirable bride; more so as she is regarded as the Chief's most beautiful daughter. Various suiters were proposed by other scottish Clans, and her father's choice fell on Baron Robert from Clan Leslie, who was situated just north of their own lands.
Eleonora became engaged to the Baron of Auchleven on 10 July 1853, which was broken by the typhus death of Baron Robert Leslie.