Blair
Atholl - Blair Castle
Dating from 1269 Blair Castle has been the home of the Atholl
family for over 700 years. It is reputed to be the last castle
in Britain to have been besieged. The forces of Bonnie Prince
Charlie and those of the government both laid siege at different
times during the Jacobite Rising of 1745-46.
Queen Victoria stayed at the castle in 1844 and as an expression
of her gratitude presented the Duke with Colours for his men,
the Atholl Highlanders. They are still in existence and form
the only remaining private army in Europe. Outside the skirl
of the pipes can be heard every day during the season echoing
through the battlements and beyond.
In 2002, Blair Castle was awarded the Visit Scotland 5-Star
(highest) grading as a tourist attraction. For this is not
just a castle trading on its history. It was one of the first
private houses in Scotland to open its doors to the public
and now welcomes more visitors than any other.
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