Blair Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Blair Castle
East front of Blair Castle

Listed Building – Category A
Designated	5 October 1971
Reference no.	LB6074


Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
Designated	1 July 1987
Reference no.	GDL00059

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Blair Castle (pronounced "Blair") is a famous castle in Scotland. It's located near the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire. This castle has been the home of the Clan Murray family for many years. The head of the family, called the Duke of Atholl, used to live here.

Blair Castle is in a valley called Glen Garry. It was built in a very important spot. This spot was on the main road through the middle of the Scottish Highlands. Today, that road is the A9 road.

The castle is a very important historical building. It is listed as a "category A listed building." Its beautiful gardens are also very special. They are part of the "Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland." This is a list of the most important gardens in the country.

History of Blair Castle
The Castle and its Gardens
Gallery
See also

History of Blair Castle

The Murray family symbol.

Blair Castle was first started in 1269. A man named John I Comyn, Lord of Badenoch began building it. He started on land that belonged to the Earl of Atholl. The Earl was away on a crusade at the time.

When the Earl returned, he was not happy. He complained to King Alexander III. The King agreed, and the Earl got his land back. He then made the tower that had been built part of his own castle.

Over the years, the castle and lands changed hands many times. In 1457, King James II gave the lands to his half-brother, John Stewart. Later, in 1629, the title of Earl of Atholl was given to John Murray. Since then, the title has stayed with the Murray family.

Battles and Sieges

During the 1600s, there were many wars in Britain. The Murray family supported the King. Because of this, Oliver Cromwell's army took over Blair Castle in 1650.

Later, King Charles II gave the Murray family a new title. In 1703, they became the Duke of Atholl.

In 1689, a rebellion began. It was called the first Jacobite rising. The Jacobites wanted King James to be on the throne. The Duke of Atholl stayed loyal to the government. But two of his sons joined the Jacobites.

The Duke's manager, Patrick Stewart, held Blair Castle for King James. The Jacobite leader, Viscount Dundee, visited the castle. Later, the Duke's son tried to take the castle for the government. But Stewart refused to let him in.

Viscount Dundee came back to help the castle. This led to a very important fight nearby. It was called the Battle of Killiecrankie. The Jacobites won the battle, but Dundee was killed. After the battle, Blair Castle stayed with the Jacobites for a while.

The Forty-Five Rebellion

In 1745, another big Jacobite rebellion happened. It was called the Forty-Five. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led the Jacobite army. His army stayed at Blair Castle twice. They were there in September 1745 and again in February 1746.

But then, the Jacobites left the castle. Government soldiers took it over. The Jacobites then tried to take the castle back. They surrounded the castle in March 1746. The soldiers inside were almost starving. But the Jacobites left to fight the government forces at the Battle of Culloden.

Royal Visits and Changes

Blair Castle before 1908.

In 1844, Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, visited Blair Castle. They stayed there for a while. After their visit, Queen Victoria allowed the Duke to create his own private army. This army is called the Atholl Highlanders.

During World War I, part of the castle was used as a hospital.

In 1996, the 10th Duke of Atholl passed away. He made sure that Blair Castle and most of his lands would be protected. He put them into a special charitable trust. This means the castle will stay in Scotland.

In 2011, a fire broke out in the castle's clock tower. The roof and upper floor collapsed. But the clock tower was fixed in 2012.

The Castle and its Gardens

The oldest part of Blair Castle is the six-story Comyn's Tower. It might have parts from the 1200s. But most of it was built in the 1400s. More parts were added in the 1500s.

In the 1700s, more rooms were added. Then, after a fire in 1814, the clock tower area was rebuilt. The castle got its current look in the 1870s. A new ballroom was added then.

Inside the Castle

Blair Castle has been open to visitors since 1936. You can explore many rooms inside. These rooms have amazing collections. You can see:

Old weapons
Hunting trophies
Souvenirs from the Murray family
Paintings
Furniture
Beautiful needlework

These items have been collected by the Murray family for hundreds of years.

The Atholl Highlanders

The castle is also home to the Atholl Highlanders. This is the private army of the Duke of Atholl. It is special because it is the only legal private army in Europe!

The Gardens and Grounds

Most Dukes of Atholl are buried in the family burial ground. It is next to the old St Bride's Kirk church ruins. This church is in the castle grounds.

The castle grounds also have some amazing trees. In 2009, a huge Grand Fir tree was measured. It was over 62 meters (200 feet) tall! This made it the second-tallest tree in Britain.

Gallery

Blair castle, exterior and interiors views

The castle's gate lodge, a Category A listed structure
The entrance avenue to Blair Castle.
The 10th Duke outside Blair Castle, by Allan Warren.
The Atholl Highlanders parade in front of the castle.
Panoramic view.
The dining room. The Dining Room was converted from the 16th century Great Hall by the second Duke as he turned the old castle into a Georgian mansion house Thomas Clayton’s plasterwork can be seen here and throughout much of the castle.
Detail of the dining room's walls.
The great staircase.
The great hall. The weapon display includes targes and muskets which were used at the Battle of Culloden.
The Drawing Room. The furniture includes Louis XVI gilt chairs and settees by Chipchase with embroidered covers by the 3rd Duchess and her family.
The Drawing Room ceiling is one of the finest in Scotland.
A four-poster bed, in the Tapestry room. The Mortlake tapestries that line this room belonged to King Charles I and were sold by Cromwell after the King’s execution.
The famous collection of fine china, mainly Meissen and Sèvres porcelain.
The Ballroom at Blair Castle, commissioned by the 7th Duke, was designed by David Bryce for the Atholl Highlanders.