Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens.22/9.16
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Places to see in ( Blair Atholl - UK )
Places to see in ( Blair Atholl - UK )
Blair Atholl is a small town in Perthshire, Scotland, built about the confluence of the Rivers Tilt and Garry in one of the few areas of flat land in the midst of the Grampian Mountains. The Gaelic place-name Blair, from blàr, 'field, plain', refers to this location. Atholl, which mean 'new Ireland', from the archaic Ath Fhodla is the name of the surrounding district.
On 13 March 2008, it was announced that Blair Atholl (together with some other Highland Perthshire villages) would be included in the Cairngorms National Park. This change was made at the request of the people of the town. The town is bypassed by the A9 and has a railway station on the Highland Main Line. The main road north from Perth to Inverness ran through the village until it was bypassed in 1984.
Blair Atholl's most famous feature is Blair Castle (NN 865 662), one of Scotland's premier stately homes, and the last castle in the British Isles to be besieged, in 1746 during the last Jacobite Rebellion. The Castle was the traditional home of the Earls (later Marquesses, now Dukes) of Atholl. The Duke of Atholl is the only person in the United Kingdom allowed to raise a private army. This army, known as the Atholl Highlanders, conducts largely social and ceremonial activities, and primarily consists of workers on the extensive Atholl Estates.
The Castle no longer belongs directly to the Duke of Atholl, as the 10th Duke, George Iain Murray (1931–96), left the Castle in trust upon his death. His distant cousin the 11th Duke, John Murray (1929-2012), lived in South Africa, and visited annually to review the Atholl Highlanders. The oldest part of Blair Castle, known as Comyn's (or Cumming's) Tower, a small tower-house with immensely thick walls, is claimed (perhaps dubiously) to date from as early as the 13th century. The majority of the Castle is 16th century in date, though much altered. After the siege referred to above, the upper storey and battlements of the ancient Castle were removed to render it indefensible. A medieval appearance becoming fashionable again during the 19th century, the Castle, which had become known as Atholl House, was raised in height and adorned with battlements once more. The many alterations in the fabric are largely concealed by the white harling (roughcast) on the walls. The collections of furniture, paintings, historical relics, weapons, embroidery, china, Highland artefacts and hunting trophies preserved in the Castle are among the finest in Scotland, as is the plasterwork and other décor of the principal rooms. Thirty-two rooms are open to the public, more than in any comparable stately home.
The Castle sits in extensive grounds, which the Dukes of Atholl have altered and added to over several centuries. Notable among the features are Diana's Grove and the Hercules Garden, both laid out in the first half of the 18th century, and rare examples of their period. Both are adorned with lead reproductions of Classical statues. The Dukes of Atholl were early and enthusiastic tree planters, and Diana's Grove contains some of the tallest trees in Great Britain. The Hercules Garden, recently restored, is a rare survival of a walled formal garden with an artificial lake and islands, surrounded by plantations of fruit trees. There are several other follies, bridges etc. of various periods.
Also within the Castle grounds is the hamlet and former parish church of Old Blair (NN 867 666), the original focus of settlement in the area before the present village, which was laid out from the first half of the 19th century. The church was dedicated to St Bride and is a probable early Christian site. John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee
In 1946 the first Blair Atholl International Scout Jamborette was held within the castle grounds. This Scout Camp has been held every two years since, with Scouts from across the globe in attendance. The camp was the idea of Jack Stewart, International Commissioner for Scotland before and after the 1939/1945 war, who proposed a smaller international camp than a World Jamboree - a Jamborette.
( Blair Atholl - UK ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Blair Atholl . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Blair Atholl - UK
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Hercules Garden, Blair Castle, Scotland
The Hercules Garden at Blair Castle was established in 1743 and is currently being restored to its former glory. There is an ornamental pond in the centre with a Chinese Bridge, surrounded by rows of fruit trees. Around the northern and western sides of the garden are herbaceous borders full of colourful flowers and there are a number of sculptures there as as well. For more on Blair Castle and the Hercules Garden, see
Blair Castle Gardens Scotland
On our way up to Inverness this June the weather was just perfect so we stopped off at Blair Castle as it has been many years since we last went there. We didn't remember the Hercules Garden so that was nice to see it. Suitable for Children and Family viewing
Tour of Blair Castle - Perthshire, Scotland
Blair Castle is one of the most famous Scottish castles and it has been involved in many crucial events throughout its long history. Indeed, Blair Castle dates back to 1269 and has been transformed from the original medieval fortress to a Georgian Mansion and then to the Victorian castle we can see today.
The tour of its interior – 30 rooms with multilingual informational leaflets in each one – allows you to discover more than 700 years of history as well as the role played by the Dukes and Earls of Atholl during the political struggles across the country.
Not only that, you will know more about the visit here of Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and finally Queen Victoria. Besides that, Her Majesty’s stay led to the creation of Atholl Highlanders, the last private army survived in all Europe.
For more information please read my article:
Blair Castle, its gardens and grounds
Blair Castle, its gardens and grounds, August 2015.
ERM 2018 - Leg 6 - Blair Castle
Blair Castle stands near the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire. The ancestral home of the Clan Murray and historically the seat of their chief, the Duke of Atholl, the castle is in Glen Garry and is the focal point in a designed landscape of some 2,500 acres. The gardens are well-known and spectacular. Within the 18th Century walled Hercules Garden, a delightful sculpture trail incorporates contemporary and 18th century sculpture and Diana's Grove, a magnificent stand of tall trees including Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, Larch and Wellingtonia.
Garden at Blair Castle, Perthshire, Scotland
Inside the classically themed walled garden at Blair Castle
Winter Drive Blair Castle Perthshire Scotland
Tour Scotland Winter video of a drive to Blair Castle, Perthshire, Scotland. Blair Castle stands in its own grounds near the village of Blair Atholl, just North of Pitlochry. Very overcast and cold this afternoon at Blair Castle.
Scotland Part 7 - Blair Castle and the Edradour Distillery.mpg
This is the seventh in a 17-part video series of a bicycling trip that my husband Kevin and I took through some Scottish towns in July, 2009. Today, we went to Blair Castle and visited Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland.
On our way to Pitlochery - Queen's View in Scotland (Pt 1)
Driving through the Tourist Route, we are headed to Pitlochery and the Queen's View. We take in some beautiful hills and countryside.
Scottish Piper at Blair Castle
A lovely way to end our tour of Blair Castle near Pitlochry. Sitting in the beautiful grounds with the piper providing background music was quite peaceful.
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for links to our England and Scotland photos from June 2013.