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Blair
Castle
Map
of this location
Blair
Castle has been the ancient home and fortress of the Earls and
Dukes of Atholl for over 725 years. Situated in the wide Strath
of Garry, it commands a strategic position on the main route through
the Central Scottish Highlands. This central location, in a romantic
setting of mountains and rivers, makes it easily accessible from
all the major Scottish centres in less than two hours.
The
approach from the main road at Blair Atholl is through a great
avenue of lime trees which leads visitors to the white harled
facade of the east front of the Castle, which during its 725 years
existence has known the splendour of royal visitations, submitted
to occupation by opposing forces on no less than four occasions,
suffered siege and partial destruction, and changed its architectural
appearance to suit the taste of many generations. During the Jacobite
revolt of 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed a few days at Blair
Castle on his way south with his Highland army after landing at
Glenfinnan. Later, in 1746, the Castle was occupied by Hanovarian
troops and laid seige to by the Atholl Brigade under Lord George
Murray, making Blair the last castle in Great Britain to be besieged.
The
Duke of Atholl has the unique distinction of having the only remaining
private army in Europe.
Blair Atholl Village
"Blair-Athole,
village and parish in Athole district, Perthshire. The village
stands 35 1/4 miles north-north-west of Perth, and has a head
post office with money order and telegraph departments, a railway
station, a banking office, a large ornate hotel, Established,
Free, and Baptist churches, and a public school with about 163
scholars. - The parish is about 27 miles long and 15 miles broad,
and comprises 181,114 acres. Real property in 1880-81, £21,051.
Pop., quoad civilia, 1742; quoad sacra, 1687. Strathgarry, from
Struan Point to Killiecrankie Pass, is the mainly inhabited portion;
Glentilt, Glenfender, Glenerichkie, and part of Strathtummel include
other portions of low ground; nearly all the rest of the area
is filled with the Grampians; and the whole has beem summarily
noted in our article on Athole. Blair Castle, the seat of the
Duke of Athole, is a conspicuous feature; and Lude and Auchleeks
are the chief other residences. An Episcopalian church is at Bridge
of Tilt. There are 6 schools with accomodation for 358 scholars."
Wilson, Rev. John, The Gazetteer of Scotland, 1882.
A village
in highland Perth and Kinross, situated at the junction of the
Tilt and Garry rivers 34 miles north of the city of Perth. The
village, which has hotels, camping and caravan facilities and
a 9-hole golf course, is well situated for walks into the Grampians
via Glen Tilt, the Minigaig Pass and Old Struan Path. Tourist
attractions include a working corn mill, a country museum and
the imposing white-harled Blair Castle which dates from the 13th
century.
If
you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized
small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me:
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