Blair Castle’s Navy story is told in new exhibition
Miller Hendry has been roped in as the official tug o’war sponsor at next month’s Crieff Highland Gathering.
The firm has enjoyed a close association with the Strathearn capital showpiece since supporting the popular event in 2016.
John Thom, Miller Hendry’s chairman, said: “Miller Hendry is delighted to continue our association with Crieff Highland Gathering by sponsoring the tug o’war competition for the second year in a row. It is a fantastic event and everyone in the firm is very much looking forward to what will be an exciting contest.” Blair Castle is celebrating the role of the larch tree with a new exhibition this summer.
In the castle’s Banvie Hall is a “timeline” display, detailing how the first European Larch trees were brought to Atholl Estates in the 18th Century.
Castle archivist Keren Guthrie explained: “The Atholl Larch story begins in 1737 when Lord George Murray, brother of the 2nd Duke of Atholl, brought the first European larch trees to the estate.
“One of these trees can still be seen in the castle grounds at the entrance to Diana’s Grove.
“The 4th Duke started
Ian Stewart, chairman of Crieff Highland Gathering, said:“We are absolutely delighted that Miller Hendry has agreed to support Crieff Highland Gathering.”
Meanwhile, Gathering organisers also recently announced JM Dewar has sponsored Games Day’s Tartan Dash for the next five years and Crieff Succeeds BID has chipped in to back the pipe bands and the Chieftain’s Parade.
Ian added:“It’s the generosity of sponsors like these that allows us to stage this world-famous event which attracts more than 6000 visitors from home and abroad.” planting larch in a commercial capacity from around 1800 onwards and between 1816-1817 he planted thousands of trees at Loch Ordie and Loch Oisnie near Dunkeld.
“The story continues when the frigate ‘Atholl’ was launched in 1820, as the 4th Duke encouraged the navy to experiment using larch not oak for ship building.”
In 1917 the larch trees at Loch Ordie were felled as part of the need for homegrown timber during World War One.
“Then the Navy starting to use steel, so the trees were never again required for ship building but they still provided much needed income for the estate.”
Blair Castle’s estate helped with building navy ships
The tug o’war is always keenly contested