Blair Castle

Blair Atholl, Scotland

The imposing white-harled Blair Castle dates from the 13th century.

The castle, which is the seat of the Murray Dukes of Atholl, has been occupied by armies on no less than four occasions, suffered siege and destruction, with its architectural appearance having been remodelled to suit changing style and taste down the centuries.

The castle has played host to many historic figures including Graham of Claverhouse (1649-89), who occupied the castle in 1689, was killed nearby at the Battle of Killiecrankie and lies buried in the ruined church of St Brides at Old Blair which overlooks the castle. Blair has the distinction of being the last castle in Britain to be besieged, during the second Jacobite Rising (1746).

In the 1870s the present facade of the castle was created when the former Atholl House was remodelled and extended in the Scots-Baronial style by the Edinburgh architect David Bryce (1803-76).

The Duke of Atholl has the distinction of having the only remaining private army in Europe, the Atholl Highlanders, which holds parades from time to time at the castle.

The castle lies in the village in highland Perth and Kinross, situated at the junction of the Tilt and Garry rivers 34 miles (55 km) north of the city of Perth.