Blair Athol

Blair Athol is a small village on the south west side of the Grampian Mountains in the Glen Garry.  To horse poeple better known for the Blair Castle Horse Trials.  We went to the village on three occasions, firstly to have a look at the village and the castle together with the grounds.  the second and third time was to the Horse Trials.  The village is only half an hour from Dalwhinnie where we had rented a cottage for the week whihc coincided with the horse trials.

Just before reaching the village when travelling from the west is a substantial shopping complex which we had been told about.  It is all owned by the one business and is a sort of "Harrods" of the highlands.

This was the signpost on leaving the entrance to the house of Bruar above. (the distances are in miles)

A general view of the court yard at House of Bruar.  There ws even parking attendants to get vehicles parked quickly in the well appointed parking lanes with lawns between the parking lots.

Three miles down the road to Blair Castle.  A very impressive and well kept ediface.  Part of the house was open to the public but we had really had enough of castles by then and only did the grounds walk.

Well maintained farmland a short distance from the castle.

Statues in the woodland add another diamention to the walks.

An example of the well tended woodlot.  Noble Fir Abies procera  stands 44m.

This stone bridge crosses a small stream close to the castle.

Even the ruins are well maintained.  Remains of the chaple in the gaveyard.

The walled garden has been renovated and palnted out as near as possible to the original plan.

A general view showing the pond in the gully through the centre and orchard either side.

Special features abound.

Such as this childs sleigh in the gardeners shed.