Blair Castle, Blair Atholl Scotland

 29 September 2011


We arrived at the castle gates around 9:15 but had to wait.  The gates were opened promptly at 9:30.  As can be seen in the sign at the right, Blair Castle looks more like a manor house than a medieval castle.  The castle seen today has evolved in four stages:  medieval, Georgian, Victorian, and Milllennial.

The oldest part of the castle is Cummings Tower, dating from 1269, which acts as an anchor to the newer additions.

Over 19 generations of Stewarts and Murrays, as the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, have occupied the castle.


It is one of the first private homes in Scotland to open its gates to the public.  The cottage seen through the gates is the caretaker's home.


The 11th Duke of Atholl, John Murray inherited his title in 1996.  The Duke lives in South Africa most of the year but his sister and her family live in Blair Castle year round. 
We were not allowed to take pictures inside of the castle.  However, the pictures posted on the internet at: www.maxiliangeneology.co.uk/atholl2.html although old are of a few of the 30 odd rooms that we toured.

The current restoration is cosmetic as well as infrastructure.  The roof has been repaired. The stucco is being cleaned and replaced where needed.  In addition modern plumbing and wiring have been added.  In one story section on the far right, a cafeteria and lunch room have been built for visitor convenience.

The castle has a walled garden, walking trails, and a preserve.  A Peacock and Peahens roam free on the grounds.

Queen Victoria was so impressed by the pipers and Highland forces that she gave the Duke of Atholl the right to maintain a private army.  Currently the Highlanders are the only private army in Europe.  The Highlanders wear the Murray tartan.  There is a Highland piper at Blair Castle 365 days per year. 

Across the driveway from the front of the Castle is a private preserve.  The bridge in the distance, we did not have time to explore the area, leads to a path through the forest.  We were told that there are abundant deer and other wildlife roaming the preserve.