Blair Castle, Scotland, an ancient fortress and now popular visitor attraction.
Blair Castle This evening, I am focusing on Blair Castle near Pitlochry in Central Scotland. This is now a popular visitor attraction and conveniently situated on the main A9 tourist route north to Inverness. The property is the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Atholl, a title which was granted in 1703 in return for loyalty to the Stewart dynasty of Scottish royalty. The location is important because in medieval times the castle would have guarded the communication routes through to the Cairngorms and points north. The original Tower House dates from 1269 and still exists to extent it has been carefully absorbed into the current, more elaborate structure. Connection with royalty extends to visits from Mary Queen of Scots in 1564 and Queen Victoria in 1842 and 1844. The latter granted her bodyguard, the Atholl Highlanders, regimental colours and to this day this unit continues as the only private army permitted in Britain. Atholl Highlanders at Blair Castle. ...