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Castles In Perth & Kinross |
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Blair Castle |
Blair
Atholl, 8 miles north-west of Pitlochry, on A9
In 1269 when David, Earl of Atholl's neighbour began building a castle on Atholl's
property,this early tower is now incorporated into Blair Castle. By 1540 it had been in
the Atholl family over 250 years, and as the family prospered it was extended and
improved. In the Civil War the castle was a royalist stronghold, besieged and
captured by Cromwell's forces. In 1844 Queen Victoria visited Blair Castle and in
1869 the 7th duke restored the castle's medieval appearance. The present duke is still
head of the Atholl Highlanders and it is last castle to maintain a private army as a
ceremonial bodyguard. more information  |
