Tourism pass just the ticket
Two of Perthshire’s most iconic visitor attractions have collaborated with an Angus stately home to launch a linked visitor pass for 2023.
The new‘treasure Ticket’gives visitors 10 per cent off admission to Blair Castle, Scone Palace and Glamis Castle which are open now until the end of October.
These historical residences and their spectacular grounds offer fascinating insights into Scotland’s rich history and nobility, which have proved alluring to visitors from all over the world, and graced the small and silver screens over the years.
Blair Castle - crowned Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Hospitality Awards – is the ancestral home of the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl, which was built in 1269 and sits within over 120,000 acres of the Atholl Estates.
Still in the same family ownership, the Dukes of Atholl, Blair Castle is classed as one of Scotland’s most beautiful‘lived in’castles, and featured in ITV’S hit drama series Victoria for its royal ties with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who were regular visitors to the Estate.
The award-winning‘castle Couture’exhibition from 2022 returns to Blair Castle with a Centennial collection of rare, and previously unseen, historical garments and accessories from the castle attics.
Blair Castle’s archivist Keren Guthrie has curated three new exhibition rooms giving an unprecedented insight to the statement designs, intricate embroidery, innovative textiles and style influences from the 18th century through to the 20th century.
Overlooking the River Tay is the majestic Scone Palace, the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings.
Shrouded in myth and legend, the Palace dates to the 12th Century. It has been the home of the Murray family for over 400 years and is the present home of the 9th Earl and Countess of Mansfield.
Today visitors can walk through the State Rooms and hear all about the rich history, see the famous painting by David Martin of Dido Belle and Lady Elizabeth Murray.
The 100 acres of grounds, which are dog friendly, offer visitors a chance to find their way through the Murray Star Maze, see the Walled Kitchen Gardens, Victorian Pinetum as well as many footpaths to discover.
The palace has featured in many acclaimed TV productions including BBC Antiques Road Show, the Great British Bake-off, Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets and Sally Lindsay’s Posh Sleepovers.
Situated in heart of Angus, Glamis is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and has a rich history dating back to 1372.
Returning this year is the Children of Glamis Exhibition, a celebration of the families and childhoods experienced at Glamis over the centuries. The exhibition features photographs, childhood dresses and toys belonging to Her Majesty The Queen from when she visited as a little girl. Tickets are now available online or in person at Blair Castle.