Blair Castle
Blair Castle
Blair Castle - Up Close
Blair Castle in winter
Just a few miles away from the Loch Tummel Hotel lies the remarkable Blair Castle, for seven centuries home to the Atholl family. Centre of a vast estate, the castle was strategically positioned to guard the mountain pass that leads north to Inverness and beyond.
Over the years many monarchs have enjoyed the castle's unique hospitality. In 1564, a hunt was arranged during Mary, Queen of Scots visit when 360 deer and five wolves were killed. Three hundred years later Queen Victoria stayed in the castle for a summer holiday and was so impressed at the vigilance of the estate guards, she granted the Duke of Atholl and his men her colours and thus the Atholl Highlanders became a private army. Today they are the only one remaining in Europe. In 1936 the castle became the first private house to be opened to the public and a few years later, during the war, it became home to a prep school and Glasgow evacuees.
Normally closed to visitors during the winter months, it will be opened especially for Lochs and Glens guests staying at the Loch Tummel Hotel in 2000 during February and March. The castle is crammed with a fascinating array of beautiful and intriguing objects collected by the family over the centuries - in fact it would be impossible to see all that is on view in the 20 odd rooms that will be open. Some are on a grand scale, but just as interesting are the rooms that show it as a family home - be sure to see the family's treasure room and the nursery!
Over the years many monarchs have enjoyed the castle's unique hospitality. In 1564, a hunt was arranged during Mary, Queen of Scots visit when 360 deer and five wolves were killed. Three hundred years later Queen Victoria stayed in the castle for a summer holiday and was so impressed at the vigilance of the estate guards, she granted the Duke of Atholl and his men her colours and thus the Atholl Highlanders became a private army. Today they are the only one remaining in Europe. In 1936 the castle became the first private house to be opened to the public and a few years later, during the war, it became home to a prep school and Glasgow evacuees.
Normally closed to visitors during the winter months, it will be opened especially for Lochs and Glens guests staying at the Loch Tummel Hotel in 2000 during February and March. The castle is crammed with a fascinating array of beautiful and intriguing objects collected by the family over the centuries - in fact it would be impossible to see all that is on view in the 20 odd rooms that will be open. Some are on a grand scale, but just as interesting are the rooms that show it as a family home - be sure to see the family's treasure room and the nursery!