Perthshire - Castles

Blair Castle
Blair Castle is located in Highland Perthshire some 20 miles from the hotel near the charming village of Blair Atholl. Truly one of Scotland’s very finest visitor attractions.

Open daily from 1 April to 30 October 10am - 6pm (last entry 5pm). 32 rooms are open to the public for viewing. You can also walk around the grounds. Telephone +44 1796 481207 for details. Private tours all year round by arrangement.

If you are driving along the main A9 road, the best place to stop and take a panoramic shot of Blair Castle and the surrounding countryside is at layby 50. When heading south you have a better view from the road than when heading north.

www.blair-castle.co.uk

Castle Menzies
Virtually on the doorstep of the hotel, this spectacular sixteenth century castle, restored by the Menzies Clan Society, welcomes visitors. Seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years and importantly situated, it was involved in the turbulent history of the Highlands and here Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746.

Architecturally fascinating, it is a splendid example of the transition between an earlier rugged fortress and later mansion house and contains many features of interest together with a number of family portraits, specimen pieces of furniture and a small clan museum. There is also a walled garden.

Taymouth Castle
Taymouth Castle is believed to be the most important Scottish castle remaining in private ownership. Its public rooms are outstanding examples of the opulence and refinement created by the best architects and craftsmen of the early 19th century. The central building with its cloistered colonnade and corner towers, dates from 1806 and was built by James and Archibald Elliot. Within the central tower Francis Bernasconi, acknowledged as the greatest designer of fine plaster work in that era created a central staircase that soars 100 feet through all 4 storeys of the tower. It is one of the most impressive staircases in Britain. Many of the ceilings were painted by Cornelius Dixon.

The present owners have tried to ensure that the Castle is kept in good order. Many hundreds of thousands have been spent on the main roof. Mr. Norman Chalmers the caretaker received an MBE in 1998 for services to the nation. Sadly modern safety regulations preclude the opening of the Castle to the public.