Discover Blair Atholl

Blair Atholl lies on flat land in Perthshire, in the southern part of Cairngorms National Park, between the River Garry and River Tilt and amid the Grampian Mountains. Its location brings together a distinct river landscape and a mountainous setting. At the same time, the history surrounding Blair Castle, local craft history and signposted walking trails shape different aspects of the destination. These themes can offer different focal points as you plan your trip: culture, scenery and outdoor activity each provide their own points of interest.

History in the Village and Around Blair Castle

The Atholl Country Life Museum houses the former post office from Trinafour. The building was relocated in 2003 and contains original artefacts from the local community. The former post office and objects from the local area link a single building with the history of the community from which the artefacts came.

Blair Castle changed hands several times during the Jacobite risings of 1689 and 1745; during this period, the troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied the castle. The Blair Atholl Historic Trail leads to St Bride’s Church in Old Blair. Its crypt is the final resting place of Bonnie Dundee (Graham of Claverhouse), leader of the Jacobite army at the Battle of Killiecrankie.

The Whim is a Gothic folly, a decorative structure built in 1762 on the hill north of Blair Castle. The Atholl Highlanders are also part of the area’s cultural character: they are Europe’s only surviving private army and are closely associated with Blair Castle and the Dukes of Atholl.

Mill, Parks and Trails

Blair Atholl Watermill is a working watermill dating from the 1590s. Stoneground oatmeal and other flours are made and sold there. The mill can therefore be understood both as a historic building and as a place where flour production continues.

Memorial Park on the eastern edge of Blair Atholl includes playing fields, a bowling green and an attractive woodland walk along the banks of the River Tilt. The grounds of Blair Castle include Diana’s Grove, the restored Hercules Garden, and walking paths through the woods and alongside the river. Together, these places show different aspects of the landscape: from riverside and woodland paths to gardens and castle grounds.

Atholl Estates maintains six signposted walking trails. They range in length from the 1-mile Red Squirrel Trail through the woods to the 10-mile Glen Tilt Trail. The two examples differ considerably in distance: the Red Squirrel Trail is the shorter of the two routes mentioned, while the Glen Tilt Trail is the longer. Blair Atholl is also one of the areas in Highland Perthshire where red squirrels are still found, but grey squirrels are not. Local populations can change.

Getting Here by Train

Blair Atholl has its own railway station on the main line. Train services run from Edinburgh and Glasgow in the south and from Inverness in the north; some services require a change at Perth. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable for your travel date, as train services can change.

Discover more destinations: Aberargie, Grandtully, Invergowrie, Inchture, Morenish, Scone, Acharn, Glendevon.

Return to the regional travel overview: Perth And Kinross.