Ardblair Castle facts for kids
Ardblair Castle is an old and interesting castle in Scotland. It's located about 0.75 miles west of Blairgowrie in Perth and Kinross. This castle was built a long time ago, in the 16th century. It has a special "L-plan" shape, which means it looks like the letter L from above, with an extra wing added later.
Castle History
The Blair family of Balthavock got Ardblair Castle in 1399. This was given to them by King David II of Scotland. Later, in 1792, the castle passed to the Oliphant family of Gask through marriage. The Blair Oliphant family still owns the house today. Many items linked to the Jacobite period were brought to the castle from Gask during the 20th century. These items are like historical treasures from a time when people supported the Stuart kings.
Lady Nairne, a famous songwriter, often visited Ardblair Castle.
Castle Structure
Experts believe the first castle was built by the Blairs during the Norman period. It was likely built on the site of an even older fort. The tower on the northwest side stands on the foundations of this earlier castle.
Ardblair Castle is special because it still has its original courtyard. The main part of the castle, the L-plan tower house, had three floors and an attic. There is a small stair-turret that sticks out from the corner. It has a cool, cone-shaped roof on top.
Later additions to the castle created a courtyard. The north side of this courtyard is a wall with an arched entrance gate. This gate is dated 1668. In the middle of the courtyard, there is an old sundial. This sundial is from 1623 and has 25 different dials to tell time!
The main entrance has a fancy space above it. However, there is no writing or carving there. The basement of the castle was probably the kitchen. It has a vaulted ceiling and a very wide fireplace. Its huge chimney is a noticeable part of the castle's south side. The first floor of the tower had a large hall. This hall is now a dining room with wooden panels. Much of the castle's inside look comes from the 18th century.
The castle was once almost surrounded by a loch, which is a Scottish word for a lake. Most of this loch has now been drained. Ardblair Castle is a "Category A listed building." This means it is a very important historical building in Scotland.
Castle Traditions
People say that Ardblair Castle is haunted by a "green lady." She is described as wearing a green silk dress. She is said to search through the castle's rooms. It is believed that this ghost is Lady Jean Drummond of Newton. She supposedly died of a broken heart. This happened because she fell in love with a member of the Blair family. This was difficult because the Drummond and Blair families had many disagreements. She is said to have drowned in a local marsh.
