Home > Castles of Aberdeenshire and Scotland > Blair Castle Scotland
Blair Castle Scotland is one of the finest privately owned which is open to the public. Visitors should allow at least three hours to tour around the building, learn the history and visit the gardens.
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My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
Entry to this Strath Garry area is through the magnificent gates and up the driveway. Tickets are then purchased at a booth where the guides direct you to which car park to use. Disabled visitors can park next to the buildings and get a reduced rate since there is little disabled access due to the many stairs.
There are guides in each room who are happy to answer questions along with information sheets in different languages, though do buy the guidebook for its many impressive pictures since photography is not permitted within except for the ballroom.
It also describes the history of the family and building from their visit from Mary Queen of Scots in 1564, its capture in 1652 by supporters of Cromwell and the two Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745. There was also the holiday stay by Queen Victoria in 1844 where the colours and the right to bear arms were bestowed on the Duke and his men. It is famed for still having its own private army, the Atholl Highlanders, who parade each May during the Gathering and Highland Games. Descendants served during the Great War and the building became a Red Cross hospital. In the Second World War it was a prep school and home to evacuees from Glasgow. It is now famed for the International Horse Trials held in August.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Do look out for the collection of stag antlers, weaponry displays including muskets used at the Battle of Culloden, a 1630 regal organ and a 42 pint whisky bottle.
Rooms toured include the entrance hall, chambers, picture staircase, tea and dining room and nursery.
The toilets are on the ground floor next to the teashop which sells homemade meals, snacks and hot and cold drinks.
A bagpiper plays near the entrance at regular intervals and he is happy to take requests and pose for photos.
A deer park is within the estate, next to the horse stables and on the way to the Diana Grove. This is named after the Roman hunting goddess and the original statue was created by John Cheere and erected by the 2nd Duke of Atholl in 1737. It was replaced in 1893 after the great storm and then restored in 1997.
A short walk takes you to the St Bride's Kirk which was located in the village of Old Blair through which the Perth Inverness road used to run. Do look out for this beautiful peacock on the way. The new village Blair Atholl came into existence in 1823 with the new bridge over the River Tait. The old church and road is now abandoned. Its origins dates back to Celtic times and the existing structure is from the 16th Century. Records from the years 1275 and 1276 show that 32 shillings were paid to the Cruscaders as a thithe of tenths by the church.
John Graham of Claverhouse (Viscount Dundee) was brought her after his death during the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. He is buried in the vault beneath the Kirk. His breastplate is on display in the castle. It is also the private burial ground of the Dukes of Atholl set beneath Wellingtonias and noble fir.
Also worth a visit in the grounds are the 18th century Hercules Gardens set in a walled area of about 9 acres. The Hercules statue overlooks it through a clair voyee gap where there is a Georgian Folly, Chinese bridge over a pond where you can see swans and feed the ducks. The herbaceous borders, fruit trees and vegetable beds are well maintained and provide a tranquil rest with plenty of seating.
Inside the McGregor Folly is a Martin Rayner ARSA sculpture where figures represent staff like farm workers such as the manager and head keeper.
Blair Castle
Blair Atholl
Pitlochry
Perthshire
PH18 5TL
Telephone: 01796 481487
Website: www.blair-castle.co.uk
We visited during a stay at nearby Pitlochry Hydro Hotel
and also went to the Falls of Bruar, Atholl Country Life Museum, Dunkeld Cathedral, Beatrix Potter Garden, Loch of Lowes Osprey, Scottish Crannog Centre, Queen's View, Rannoch Moor Train Station, The Hermitage and Ossian's Hall and Cave.
More Scottish Tourist Attractions.
Blair Castle Scotland
Photographs and visitor information to Blair Castle near Pitlochry in Perthshire Scotland with history and tour of the walled Hercules gardens and Diana GroveBlair Castle Scotland is one of the finest privately owned which is open to the public. Visitors should allow at least three hours to tour around the building, learn the history and visit the gardens.
Follow us on: Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Contact Me.
My new novel:
The Aberdeen skies are under attack from an enemy jet. It is spilling a strange yellow smoke. Minutes later, people start killing each other.
Former Royal Air Force Regiment Gunner Jason Harper witnesses this and then his wife, Pippa, telephones him, shouting that she needs him. They then get cut off. He sets straight out, unprepared for the nightmare that unfolds during his journey. Everyone seems to want to kill him.
Along the way, he pairs up with fellow survivor Imogen. But she enjoys killing the living dead far too much. Will she kill Jason in her blood thirst? Or will she hinder his journey through this zombie filled dystopian landscape to find his pregnant wife?
The Fence is the first in this series of post-apocalyptic military survival thrillers from the torturous mind of local horror and science fiction novel writer C.G. Buswell.
Download Now.
Buy the Paperback.
Entry to this Strath Garry area is through the magnificent gates and up the driveway. Tickets are then purchased at a booth where the guides direct you to which car park to use. Disabled visitors can park next to the buildings and get a reduced rate since there is little disabled access due to the many stairs.
There are guides in each room who are happy to answer questions along with information sheets in different languages, though do buy the guidebook for its many impressive pictures since photography is not permitted within except for the ballroom.
It also describes the history of the family and building from their visit from Mary Queen of Scots in 1564, its capture in 1652 by supporters of Cromwell and the two Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745. There was also the holiday stay by Queen Victoria in 1844 where the colours and the right to bear arms were bestowed on the Duke and his men. It is famed for still having its own private army, the Atholl Highlanders, who parade each May during the Gathering and Highland Games. Descendants served during the Great War and the building became a Red Cross hospital. In the Second World War it was a prep school and home to evacuees from Glasgow. It is now famed for the International Horse Trials held in August.
Have you seen my beautiful golden retriever Lynne out and about in Aberdeen? Ask her for a high-five! She's a Bravehound PTSD assistance dog, so we'll often be in shops, restaurants, and the cinema together.
We've written a book where I talk about growing up in Aberdeen and then joining the army to be a medic and nurse, and developing military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I also talk about losing my son to suicide and the therapy I have had at Royal Cornhill Hospital and grief support groups in Aberdeen.
The author, Damien Lewis, said of Lynne:
"A powerful account of what one dog means to one man on his road to recovery. Both heart-warming and life-affirming. Bravo Chris and Lynne. Bravo Bravehound."
Download.
Buy the paperback.
An army veteran moves his family back to his Aberdeenshire home, but his nightmare neighbour starts a battle of wits with him. Who will win this One Last War?
Buy this latest novel by local author C.G. Buswell on Kindle or Paperback.
Advertise Here from just £70.
Do look out for the collection of stag antlers, weaponry displays including muskets used at the Battle of Culloden, a 1630 regal organ and a 42 pint whisky bottle.
Rooms toured include the entrance hall, chambers, picture staircase, tea and dining room and nursery.
The toilets are on the ground floor next to the teashop which sells homemade meals, snacks and hot and cold drinks.
A bagpiper plays near the entrance at regular intervals and he is happy to take requests and pose for photos.
Diana Grove
A deer park is within the estate, next to the horse stables and on the way to the Diana Grove. This is named after the Roman hunting goddess and the original statue was created by John Cheere and erected by the 2nd Duke of Atholl in 1737. It was replaced in 1893 after the great storm and then restored in 1997.
A short walk takes you to the St Bride's Kirk which was located in the village of Old Blair through which the Perth Inverness road used to run. Do look out for this beautiful peacock on the way. The new village Blair Atholl came into existence in 1823 with the new bridge over the River Tait. The old church and road is now abandoned. Its origins dates back to Celtic times and the existing structure is from the 16th Century. Records from the years 1275 and 1276 show that 32 shillings were paid to the Cruscaders as a thithe of tenths by the church.
John Graham of Claverhouse (Viscount Dundee) was brought her after his death during the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. He is buried in the vault beneath the Kirk. His breastplate is on display in the castle. It is also the private burial ground of the Dukes of Atholl set beneath Wellingtonias and noble fir.
Hercules Garden
Also worth a visit in the grounds are the 18th century Hercules Gardens set in a walled area of about 9 acres. The Hercules statue overlooks it through a clair voyee gap where there is a Georgian Folly, Chinese bridge over a pond where you can see swans and feed the ducks. The herbaceous borders, fruit trees and vegetable beds are well maintained and provide a tranquil rest with plenty of seating.
Inside the McGregor Folly is a Martin Rayner ARSA sculpture where figures represent staff like farm workers such as the manager and head keeper.
Blair Castle
Blair Atholl
Pitlochry
Perthshire
PH18 5TL
Telephone: 01796 481487
Website: www.blair-castle.co.uk
We visited during a stay at nearby Pitlochry Hydro Hotel
and also went to the Falls of Bruar, Atholl Country Life Museum, Dunkeld Cathedral, Beatrix Potter Garden, Loch of Lowes Osprey, Scottish Crannog Centre, Queen's View, Rannoch Moor Train Station, The Hermitage and Ossian's Hall and Cave.
More Scottish Tourist Attractions.
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