2009 EVENTS

Castle Family Friendly Days
Every Saturday throughout April, May (excluding 23rd) and June
Every Friday throughout July and August (excluding 28th August)

To make family visits extra special in 2009, Blair Castle is hosting weekly family friendly days packed with loads of FREE activities for all the family to enjoy. Join us for a fun-filled tractor and trailer ride around the grounds, special children’s tour of the castle, interactive storytelling sessions and a nature-themed treasure hunt in the grounds.

All these extra activities are free to families as part of the standard castle admission price.

Thursday 25 June
Charity Day for Scotland’s Garden Scheme & Help for Heroes

Sunday 5 July
Discover Atholl Estates Day – Works Dept House building special

A construction-themed day at Blair Castle packed with fun activities for children including a maintenance-themed obstacle course and a build your own kit-house game. There will also be a display of mighty construction machinery. Adults are invited to meet the works team in the estate tent and learn more about the unusual and interesting maintenance jobs required on a large Highland estate. All activities take place in the castle grounds between 1pm – 4pm and are free to visitors as part of the standard castle or grounds admission.

Wednesday 8 July
The Clans tour & live performances of The Stewarts by Historic Scotland

Spend a day discovering your roots at Blair Castle. Join a special tour that explores the historic association of Clan Murray, Clan Stewart, Clan Robertson and Clan Ferguson with the castle. Visit our Clans display in the Banvie Hall and sign in our special visitor’s book to record your visit to the home of your ancestors in the year of Homecoming. There will also be live costumed performances of The Stewarts by Historic Scotland throughout the day. Adults attending the tour will receive a free miniature of Bell’s whisky courtesy of the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry. Tour starts at 11.30am. There will be a performance of The Stewarts at 2pm.

Tickets: £11. Numbers limited to 25 people per tour and advance booking on 01796 481207 recommended.

Wednesday 15 July
Celtic Night
A traditional evening of Highland entertainment with Blair Atholl Pipe Band and Highland dancers.

Adults £6.50, Children £1.50. From 7.30pm.

Wednesday 19 August
Celtic Night
A traditional evening of Highland entertainment with Blair Atholl Pipe Band and Highland dancers.

Adults £6.50, Children £1.50. From 7.30pm

Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 August
Blair Castle International Horse Trials and Country Fair
Top international horse and rider combinations compete over 4 days in 3 phases – elegant dressage, exhilarating cross country and exacting show jumping. The country fair runs on Saturday and Sunday with a wide range of arena displays and demonstrations. The shopping village (open all 4 days) has almost 200 trade stands. Fine food lovers should not miss the Food Hall with organic meats, cakes, fine wines, jams and chutneys, seafood and much more.

For full details, times and admission prices visit www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk

Sunday 6 September
Behind the Scenes of the September Garden with the Castle Gardeners

Saturday 31 October
Glenfiddich Piping Championships
Annual International Piping Championships held in the Blair Castle Ballroom.

Contact: Mrs Liz Maxwell (01698 843843)

Sunday 1 November
Glenfiddich Fiddling Championships
Annual International Fiddling Championships held in the Blair Castle Ballroom.

Contact: Mrs Liz Maxwell (01698 843843)

Friday 20 November
The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Rally of Scotland

The prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge is one of the final events in Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations and takes in some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes,historical locations and infamous motorsport stages. The rally’s spectacular route through the Highlands of Scotland features legendary stages, including Achray, Fairy Knowe and Loch Ard. Blair Castle will act as a Service Park for the three day event on Friday 20 November. Tickets and further details at www.rallyofscotland.com. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 847 2488 or in person at Barrhead Travel in Edinburgh, Glasgow (Oswald Street), Stirling and Dundee.

• Click here to download our rally leaflet

For further details or to make an advance booking please contact Blair Castle on 01796 481 207 or email bookings@blair-castle.co.uk

For information on Ranger activites on Atholl Estates please click on www.athollestatesrangerservice.co.uk