@castlesofscotland: Blair Castle started life as a 13th century tower house illegally built by John Comyn on lands owned by the Earl of Atholl during the latter’s absence on Crusade. The tower was later seized by the Earl on his return. His son forfeited the castle when he rebelled against King Robert the Bruce in 1322. It was then given to Sir Neil Campbell whose son, John, was granted the title Earl of Atholl in 1320. For the next 137 years the title, castle and estates passed through numerous owners before being resurrected by King James II in 1457. He granted it to his half brother, Sir John Stewart whose descendants held it until 1595. During their tenure numerous upgrades were made to Blair Castle with the addition of a Great Hall in 1530. The death of the 5th Earl of Atholl in 1595 resulted in Blair Castle reverting to the Crown. It remained in Royal possession until 1629 when it was granted to John Murray. In 1650, after Oliver Cromwell’s defeat of the Scottish Covenanter force at the Battle of Dunbar, the castle was seized by English forces. The estate was restored to the family after the Restoration in 1660 and their loyalty to the Crown recognised by raising the Earl to the Marquis of Atholl in 1676 and then Duke in 1703. Blair Castle was closely involved in the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745. Although the Duke of Atholl remained loyal to the Government, many of his relatives supported the Jacobite cause, and the castle was taken by the forces of Prince Charles Stuart in September 1745. During WWI, the castle was used as an auxiliary hospital and in 1936 opened to public. It continues to be owned by the Murray family. Today the castle is open to the public and can be used for private events. This video was taken with permission from Blair Castle. #Scotland #castle #castlesofscotland #beautifuldestinations #visitscotland

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Tuesday 15 September 2026 00:02:15 GMT