Blair Atholl is a small, attractive, stone village in the Tayside Region of central Scotland. It is located at the confluence of the Rivers Garry and Tilt which is the meeting point of several glens in the midst of the Grampian Mountains. Surrounded by magnificent Highland scenery, Blair Atholl is comprised of a row of stone buildings facing the Blair Atholl Estate across the main road. It is effectively the estate village and is overlooked by the white, fairytale fortress of Blair Castle, home to the Duke of Atholl, Chief of the Murrays, and one of Scotland’s premier stately homes. Although small, the village is home to the Atholl Country Collections, a unique folk museum portraying local life since the middle of the 19th century, and the Blair Atholl Water Mill, built in 1613 it has been fully restored into a working mill where you can see delicious oatmeal made, Scotland’s staple diet!! If you would care for a visit to a distillery, and maybe try a little tasting, have a look at the Blair Atholl Distillery and the Edradour Distillery at Pitlochry, which is the smallest distillery in Scotland!!
Blair castle was originally built in 1269 and has been altered and re-furbished over the years until it was restored in 1869 by David Bryce and given its present castellated, baronial appearance. Open to the public during the summer months, it has a fine drawing room and dining room with white marble chimney pieces and stucco ceilings, and one of the best collections of armour and weapons in the country.
Other places of interest within 30 kilometres:
Pitlochry, a popular holiday resort in a beautiful setting. It has a Festival Theatre, known as the ‘Theatre in the Hills’, geared to holidaymakers with a different event each evening.
The Pass of Killiecrankie, 6 kilometres south-east of Blair Atholl, where an English army was defeated in 1689 by Jacobite forces led by ‘Bonnie Dundee’, who was killed at the moment of victory. A useful visitor’s centre provides extensive historical details of the event.
Queen’s View, Loch Tummel, eight kilometres west of Killiecrankie, named for Queen Victoria. The area is comprised of lochs, forests and mountains in one beautiful spot.
Bruar, 5 kilometres west of Blair Atholl, has the museum of Clan Donnachaidh, covering the history of a group of related families. Nearby, a footpath leads to the spectacular waterfalls on the River Bruar.
Did you know that – the Duke of Atholl is head of the only legally recognized private army in Britain, known as the Atholl Highlanders? Made up of 80 men, estate workers for the most part, it follows a privilege given by Queen Victoria.
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