Blair Castle
Historic Blair Castle is reopening for 2022, and it has never been easier to visit
Visitors can discover 750 years of Scottish history at Blair Castle & Gardens in Highland Perthshire, and thanks to the new website, it’s so easy to book tickets at www.athollestates.co.uk.
The ancestral home of the Clan Murray, and the seat of their chief, the Duke of Atholl, Blair Castle’s history stretches back to 1269, and has become intertwined with Scottish and British history over the years, with fascinating links to the first Jacobite Rising, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria who gave permission for the establishment of the Atholl Highlanders, the only private army in Europe.
Blair Castle’s proud history will be on show this year as part of a new exhibition – Castle Couture, 1740-1844. This will feature a selection of the finest clothing from the castle’s archives, with many rooms having items of clothing on display. This will run throughout the 2022 season, and admission is included in the normal entry.
Although Blair Castle is famous for its history, it brings it alive with the latest technology with Smartify, as it features audio tours of the castle which you can play through your mobile phone. But there’s no resting on their laurels here, as further tours are being developed for the vast, beautiful gardens, and another for The Jacobites.
The castle grounds are vast, with an array of beautiful gardens and wildlife to be seen. There are lengthy nature walks which can be undertaken, with flora and fauna in abundance. As well as the walking trails, new for 2022 are glamping pods from the park, and an array of family fun days and seasonal celebrations are planned. Keep an eye on the website for details of these.
Visiting Blair Castle & Gardens is made more enjoyable with a stay in the caravan park, which plays home to touring, camping, camping pods, caravan holiday homes, and woodland lodges.
However, if you fancy something more traditional for your stay, then there are
ten Highland Lodges available, located not just in the grounds of the castle, but short distances away. For example, Old Blair is set in a hamlet a few hundred yards from the castle and started life as an inn. It is now a comfortable lodge surrounded by landscaped parklands, farmland and miles of way-marked trails. The lodge is filled with period charm and has an open fire in the sitting room.
Sleeping up to ten guests in the main lodge, and two in the connecting annexe with its own separate sitting room, Old Blair is popular for family breaks, castle wedding guests and festive family gatherings.
Another stunning option is Clachan Farmhouse, which provides self-catered accommodation whilst overlooking the spectacular Perthshire countryside. This recently renovated farmhouse features two spacious bedroomed apartments that can be joined to give the option of a four bedroomed house.
Blair Castle is also a stunning venue for weddings, creating memories that will last a lifetime, and providing an incredible backdrop for newly-wed photographs. Their dedicated team will ensure that everything goes to plan and your dream day passes by without a care in the world.