Blair Castle (Atholl House)

House & Family History: The ancient seat of the earls and dukes of Atholl, the turreted and gabled Blair is a gleaming white castle set in stunning Highland scenery. The current appearance of the castle is the result of an 18th rebuild around a 13th century core. The interior has noted plasterwork, fine marble chimneypieces, and a wood-paneled entrance hall. Thirty-two rooms contain furniture (five 4-poster beds), paintings, armor, china, costumes, Brussels tapestries, one of the four original copies of the National Covenant of 1638, and other treasures. Queen Victoria frequently rented Blair as a stop on her way to Balmoral in Aberdeenshire. Blair Castle is Scotland's most visited historic house and is famous as the home of the Atholl Highlanders, originally the only private army in Britain and today a ceremonial bodyguard.

Collections: Blair Castle is exceptionally rich in 17th and 18th century furniture and tapestries. A great collection of ancestral diamond jewelry was sold by Christie's in 1928.
Garden & Outbuildings: There are extensive grounds with walks, trails, a deer park, and an 18th century walled garden. An 18th century, Category B-listed folly called The Whim, built for the 3rd Duke of Atholl and possibly designed by William Adam Sr., is extant.
Architect: James Macintyre Henry

Date of Birth: 1852
Date of Death: 1929
Nationality: British
Notes: Henry was a Scottish architect who began his career articled to Andrew Heiton of Perth, where he served from 1866 until 1872. He was later an assistant to David Bryce and John Charles Hay. Henry began independent practice in Edinburgh in 1883; he was in partnership with Thomas Forbes MacLennan from 1903.

Date: 1904-05
Designed: Alterations and additions

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Architect: Robert Stodart Lorimer

Date of Birth: 1864
Date of Death: 1929
Nationality: British
Notes: Scottish architect who designed just four houses, of which Ardkinglas is noteable.

Date: 1920-21
Designed: Alterations

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Architect: James Campbell Walker

Date of Birth: 1822
Date of Death: 1888
Nationality: British
Notes: Scottish architect. Articled to Burn & Bryce (William Burn and David Bryce) in Edinburgh. Worked later as assistant to Burn in London and Bryce in Edinburgh. Began independent practice in 1857.

Date: 1886
Designed: Alterations and additions

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Architect: David Bryce

Date of Birth: 1803
Date of Death: 1876
Nationality: British

Date: 1869-71 & 1876-77
Designed: Alterations and additions

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Architect: Archibald Elliot

Date of Birth: 1760
Date of Death: 1823
Nationality: British

Date: Circa 1814
Designed: Alterations after 1814 fire
(Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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Architect: James Winter

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: ?
Nationality: ?

Date: 1743-45 & 1747-58
Designed: Additions and alterations

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Architect: John Douglas

Date of Birth: ?
Date of Death: Circa 1778
Nationality: British

Date: Circa 1736-46
Designed: Alterations and additions

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Architect: George Steuart

Date of Birth: Circa 1730
Date of Death: 1806
Nationality: British

Date: 1777
Designed: Lodges, greenhouses, and other buildings for 4th Duke of Atholl.

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Country Life: CVI, 1362, 1434, 1506, 1949.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Reference: pg. 923
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape
"Treasure Hunt" (1989 - TV game series, episode 7.6, "Perthshire"). "Blair Castle International Horse Trials" (2007 - BBC TV documentary, on the European Young Rider Championship). "Conquer The Castle" (2008 - TV reality 12-part series, following six urbanites living and working at the castle).
Current Seat / Home of: Murray family

Past Seat / Home of: John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl, 2nd Earl of Atholl, and 3rd Earl of Tullibardine, until 1703; John Murray, 2nd Marquess of Atholl and 1st Duke of Atholl, 1703-24; James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl, 1724-64; John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl, 1764-74; John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl, 1774-1830; John Murray, 5th Duke of Atholl, 1830-46; George Augustus Frederick John Murray, 6th Duke of Atholl, 1846-64; John James Hugh Henry Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl, 1864-1917; John George Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl, 1917-42.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Owned by Blair Charitable Trust
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01796-481-355

Fax: 01796-481-487

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://atholl-estates.co.uk/blair-castle/

Historic Houses Member: Yes

Blair Castle (Atholl House)

House, Family & Collections History

Gardens, Outbuildings, Chapel & Church History

Architects

Historic Publications References

Bibliography / Reading List for this House

Listings for House & Park

Location for Film & TV

Families Who’ve Lived Here / Current Ownership Type & Use

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