Blair Castle, home of the Duke of Atholl near Pitlochry Perthshire APK 203
At Blair Atholl, on Tayside, 8 miles from Pitlochry. Situated in the wide Strath of Garry, it commands a strategic position on the main route through the Central Scottish Highlands. Open to the public, April to October daily History of Blair Castle In 1269, while the Earl of Atholl was away in England for an extended period, a neighbour, John Comyn, started to build a castle on the Earl's land. Atholl complained to King Alexander III, got his land back, and incorporated the usurping tower into his own castle. It is still there, called Comyn's Tower. It has been occupied by attackers on four occasions, including being taken by the Cromwellians during the English Civil War. During the 1745 Jacobite revolt, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at Blair Castle on his way south after landing at Glenfinnan. Inevitably the English army occupied the castle in 1746 as the Jacobite revolt came to its sad conclusion. The Jacobites under Lord George Murray, lay siege to Blair in what is believed to be the last castle siege in Britain. Blair has changed its architectural appearance over the years. Much of what can be seen today dates from the 18th century, and it has become a palace rather than a fortress. Queen Victoria visited Blair in 1844. She was so captivated by the 200 Athollmen who formed the royal bodyguard, that she presented them with regimental colours. They are now the only private army in Europe, and as the Atholl Highlanders are recruited mainly from the Atholl estate, and exist today as a private ceremonial bodyguard. APK 203
Size: 7934px × 2997px
Location: Blair Atholl Perthshire Tayside Region Scotland UK
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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