Blair Castle Atholl

Blair Castle Atholl Details

Blair Castle, the extended castle/palace of the Dukes of Atholl built around C13 tower of the Comyns. Open to the public.

  • Closest To: Blair Atholl
  • Access: Chargeable Public Access
  • Grid Reference: NN866662

Blair Castle in Atholl is the seat of the Dukes of Atholl, and is traditionally said to have been fortified in the 13th century by the Comyn family against the interests of the absent crusader Alan Durward, claiming to be earl. Much extended throughout the centuries, the castle is open to the public seasonally.

A prominent sight from the A9, the castle is largely the result of 18th and 19th century remodelling, but the old tower and parts of the 16th century tower house and ranges do survive in altered form. The male line of the native earls of Atholl ended with two daughters in 1211, the eldest of whom was actually married to Alan Durward. In 1241 her son Patrick was murdered and was followed by his aunt and then cousin Ada. Ada’s great grandson David de Strathbogie was forfeited for treason against Robert Bruce in 1307. From the mid 14th century to the earldom was held by various members of the royal Stewart dynasty, then to the descendants of John Stewart, half-brother of James II. In 1629 the heiress Dorothea Stewart married William Murray, and the descendants of their son John still hold the castle today.

Official Blair Castle website

HES Canmore database entry

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