Blair Castle

Overview

Blair Castle is one of the most impressive castles that you will find in Scotland. It’s got everything you could expect or want to find in a Scottish Castle except a moat! We highly recommend this attraction.

Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Atholl and the current Duke still retains his own private army, the Atholl Highlanders. This is the only private army in Europe, although it is now just a ceremonial army that parades a few times a year. If you visit during the last weekend in May you will be able to see the army assembled for display at the Atholl Gathering and Highland Games.

Inside the castle, you can visit 30 rooms, which are fully preserved with their original furnishings and fittings. Fans of the Harry Potter movies will find something familiar about the “Picture Staircase” which is adorned with a mass of family portraits. Equally amazing, but quite grim, is the number of antlers and stuffed deer heads on walls around the castle.

Blair Castle also has extensive landscaped gardens which date from the Victorian period and are really quite ornate.

You find your own way through the rooms in the castle, but guides are on hand to answer questions and to make sure you don't steal anything.

On weekends in the peak summer months (June to August), a piper plays at the entrance to the castle on the hour from 11am to 3pm.

Tickets can be bought at the Gate, or pre-booked via the Blair Castle website