Blair Atholl

Settlement in Perthshire

Scotland

Blair Atholl

Bridge of Tilt Hotel Now closed and being redeveloped. — Bridge of Tilt Hotel Credit: Richard Webb

Blair Atholl is a picturesque village located in the county of Perthshire, Scotland. Situated on the banks of the River Garry, it is nestled within the stunning Cairngorms National Park, offering breathtaking natural beauty and a tranquil atmosphere.

The village is best known for its iconic Blair Castle, a historic landmark dating back to the 13th century. This magnificent castle is one of Scotland's most renowned and well-preserved buildings, boasting a rich history and serving as the ancestral home of the Clan Murray. Visitors can explore the castle's opulent rooms, admire its extensive collections of art and artifacts, and even witness daily traditional Scottish piper performances.

Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, Blair Atholl offers a multitude of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. The surrounding landscape is perfect for hiking, with various trails catering to different levels of difficulty. Beinn a' Ghlo, one of Scotland's most accessible Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet), is a popular destination for experienced climbers. The area is also a haven for wildlife, allowing visitors to spot red deer, golden eagles, and even the elusive Scottish wildcat.

The village itself offers a range of amenities for tourists, including quaint shops, cozy cafes, and traditional Scottish pubs. The Atholl Country Life Museum provides insights into the local history and culture, while the nearby Blair Atholl Distillery offers guided tours and the chance to sample fine Scotch whisky.

Blair Atholl is easily accessible, located just off the A9 road and served by a train station on the Highland Main Line. With its captivating scenery, historical sites, and outdoor pursuits, Blair Atholl is a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic Scottish experience.

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Blair Atholl Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.766099/-3.848052 or Grid Reference NN8765. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge of Tilt Hotel

Now closed and being redeveloped.

Richard Webb

The River Tilt near Blair Atholl

I didn't notice it at the time, but some of the big rocks on the left have a strange likeness to that holey cheese you get, mostly seen in cartoons. The picture was taken from a well-trodden footpath that runs in between the river and the road between Blair Atholl and Bridge of Tilt. Having not got very far with my research into the name 'Tilt' (which is still the case), I decided to see if there were any titbits of information in the OS naming books, but oddly nothing was listed. I therefore thought that the river may have gone by a Gaelic name on the initial maps, as it does further upstream. It turns out, however, that several of the exhaustive volumes, which all would have described in varying detail every named feature on the first OS maps round here, were destroyed when the OS headquarters in Southampton was a victim of heavy German bombing in the Second World War. During the Southampton Blitz, in November and December 1940, hundreds of tons of bombs were dropped on the city - the glow of the flames could apparently be seen from across the Channel. Only the books from Scotland, Northumberland, Cumbria, and some of Durham survived. This geographical split is quite intriguing. It seems unlikely to be a coincidence, and it must be a possibility that OS loosely split Britain into two, storing the records for each half in different parts of the building. Maybe somebody had been referencing North Perthshire in the wrong part of the building the day the bombs were dropped. It would be interesting to know. The River Tilt flows into the River Garry a mile or so South of here, and starts roughly 15 miles to the NorthEast. Some of the water runs from the small Loch Tilt, but there are other headwaters in the vicinity of the loch too.

Ian Dodds

Blair Atholl and Struan Parish Church

This church was built 1823-1825. It has an 18" bell made by John Meikle of Edinburgh in 1688. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert once attended a service here in 1844.

Jennifer Petrie

Blair Atholl and Struan Parish Church

This church has an 18"bell made in 1688 by John Meikle of Edinburgh. Built 1823-1825. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert once attended a church service here. It is situated 35 miles north of Perth and is very near to Blair Castle.

Jennifer Petrie

Blair Atholl and Struan Parish Church

This church is situated about 35 miles north of Perth. Blair Castle is very close by. In 1844 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert once attended a church service here.

Jennifer Petrie

Blair Atholl and Struan Parish Church

This church built 1823-1825 is situated about 35 miles north of Perth and very near to Blair Castle. In 1844 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert one attended a service in this church.

Jennifer Petrie

Blair Atholl Information Sign

Situated in the car park beside Blair Atholl and Struan Church and the Bowling Club.

Jennifer Petrie

Blair Atholl Bowling Green

This chap was tending the immaculate bowling green in this beautiful setting at Blair Atholl.

Jennifer Petrie

River Tilt Leisure Park

Lodges and static caravans sitting beside the River Tilt.

Sandy Gerrard

Beautiful spot for a footbath

Just down from the Old Bridge, a few minutes away from a busy car park, is this splendid and peaceful rocky basin with the River Tilt in marvellous colours.

Aleks Scholz

View from the bridge

View down River Tilt, with the lodges of the River Tilt Park on the left.

Aleks Scholz

Signage - A9 northbound

Dave Thompson

Layby - A9 northbound

Dave Thompson

Signage - A9 northbound

Dave Thompson

Signage - A9 northbound

Dave Thompson

Northbound A9 near Blair Atholl

The A9 is a strategic link between the Highlands of Scotland and the Central Belt. Running for 273 miles, it is the longest road in Scotland and the fifth-longest A-road in the United Kingdom. Historically it was the main road between Edinburgh and John o' Groats but its importance has been eclipsed somewhat in the south by the A90 across the Forth Road Bridge and the M90 motorway, which now links Edinburgh more directly with Perth, and the M9, which is now the main road between Edinburgh and Bridge of Allan.

David Dixon

Northbound A9, Layby Number 49

As you travel along the A9 between Perth and Cromarty Bridge, there is a series of laybys at fairly regular intervals on both sides of the road. These laybys are numbered consecutively from south to north. The layby furthest north is number 200. Layby 49 is on the northbound carriageway near Blair Atholl.

David Dixon