Blair Castle
The white-towered seat of the Dukes of Atholl, and home to the Atholl Highlanders, the only legal private army in Europe.
Construction of the castle began in 1269. Its white walls and battlements half hide among the trees. About 30 rooms are open to visitors, displaying weapons, hunting trophies, family portraits, and porcelain. The ballroom, with antlers covering every wall, is the most striking. Outside are Hercules Garden, an elm-lined avenue, and Highland cattle. Each late May, the Atholl Highlanders hold a parade and the Highland Games here. Admission costs about £20, and only parts of the castle open in winter. The castle is in the village of Blair Atholl, about 12 km from Pitlochry, and has a railway station.
Opening hours
Apr–Oct 09:30–17:30 (in winter, only parts open on weekends)
Nearby sights
- Queen's View
- Falls of Bruar
- Pass of Killiecrankie
- Pitlochry Dam & Fish Ladder
- Pitlochry Town
- Ben Vrackie
- Pitlochry Festival Theatre
- Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery