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Blair
Castle
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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