How to visit and what to see in Blair Castle (Scotland): schedules, prices

On your journey through the heart of the Highlands Scottish Highlands, heading north from Edinburgh, you will have the opportunity to visit Blair Castle, located just nine kilometers north of the pretty holiday village of Pitlochry.

It is a fortification with a different aesthetic than other large ones. scottish castles, but it has a very long history, as it was the main headquarters of the ancient kingdom of Atholl.

In fact, and as a curiosity, I will tell you that this castle maintains the right to have a own private army, Atholl Highlanders.

What are the Atholl Highlanders?

Indeed, in this area of ​​Scotland the tradition of having a private army, which is not only the only one allowed in Great Britain, but also in Europe.

The origin of Atholl Highlanders dates back to 770 Infantry Regiment who organized the room Duke of Atholl and was serving in North America in 1777, and then was in Ireland and the East Indies.

In 1830 the sixth Duke of Atholl he regrouped it as a private army, and in 1844 the regiment stood guard at the Blair castle when the Queen Victoria visited him.

Later dukes have maintained this tradition of having a private army to stand guard during the visits of the Queen of England on his trip to Balmoral in Scotland.

Gardens of Hercules at Blair Castle

When you arrive at the castle estate, you will see that its entrance is located next to a very busy campsite during the high holiday season.

But you will surely be surprised by the vision of some scottish bison who will be grazing in the immense meadow that surrounds the castle.

Indeed, the Blair castle It is surrounded by extensive gardens and meadows, where in addition to these native bison, you can also see herds of deer.

This fenced land is known as the Gardens of Hercules, and occupy an area of ​​almost four hectares.

One of its most notable corners is known as Diana's Garden.

La history of Blair Castle, in Scotland, dates back to the year 1269, when the original tower that still stands was built.

The castle underwent numerous renovations over the centuries, so that the building that you can now visit had its last major renovation in the 18th century.

What to see when visiting Blair Castle

The building of the Blair castle has the shape of a great tower to which other turrets, battlements and parapets have been joined.

You will be struck by the robustness that the castle conveys, as well as the white color present on all its facades, an aesthetic very different from other Scottish castles.

In the visit inside Blair Castle You will have the opportunity to tour various lavishly decorated rooms, with rooms of victorian style and elegantly stuccoed ceilings, giving you the feeling of an “inhabited” castle.

During the visit you will actually review the long history of clan of the Atholl, seeing numerous family portraits, weapons and shields, deer antlers, etc…

One of the greatest exponents today of that long history is the aforementioned private army that maintains the concession that the Queen Victoria he made during his visit to the castle in 1844.

The Atholl Highlanders They carry out every year a big parade at the end of May.

It should be noted that it coincides with the traditional Highland Games, Scottish Highland Games that in that area are celebrated on the same dates, and that are known as the Atholl Gathering and Highlands Games.

Blair Castle visit schedules

The Blair Castle visiting hours They are, from April to October, from 9,30:17,30 a.m. to 16,30:XNUMX p.m., with the last access at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

El price of admission It is £16 for adults, £13,60 for seniors and students, and £9,50 for children aged 5 to 16.

For visit the gardens of Blair Castle, the price is £8 (£4,50 for children).

Map: how to get to Blair Castle

El Blair castle You will find it following the A9 route that takes you from Perth, inside the Higlands Scottish Highlands, to him Lake Ness.