Leys Estate lies some 18km west of the city of Aberdeen between the River Dee and the southern slopes of the Hill of Fare. The western boundary of the estate borders the town of Banchory. The majorty of the estate comprises arable farmland and forest but the recent expansion of Banchory in the Hill of Banchory area has resulted in housing as well as commercial development.

Leys Estate has remained in the unbroken ownership of one family, the Burnetts of Leys since the early 1300s.