Blair Atholl is a part of Scotland that offers so much that once you arrive for a Scottish holiday, you won’t have to get in your car for the day until it’s time to go home. The area has everything but queues; There is a lot of history, hiking and outdoor sports, wonderful food and drink, all set against the backdrop of the best Scottish countryside.
The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought in 1689 between the loyal clans of James VII and William of Orange. He is remembered for more than just his funny name, as it was a rare defeat for the Jacobites against the new king of England. As a strange twist in history, James then fled Scotland and in doing so it was decided that he had abdicated and the throne passed to William and Mary. The site of the battle, where the Viscount of Dundee faced General Hugh Mackay of Scourie, is 2 miles southeast of Blair Atholl. The result may have been a convincing victory for the Jacobites, but it left Dundee dead and the Jacobites in disarray, forcing James to flee his land.
Blair Atholl was the site of the battle due to the strategic importance of Blair Castle. At around 750 years old, the castle has long been the home of the Dukes and Counts of Atholl. The castle residents have had a fairly controlled past choosing the winning side with a particular misfortune in Culloden.
One of Blair Atholl’s jewels is his distillery. Not known for its single malt, which is a shame, the distillery was owned by Arthur Bell and Sons. The warm flavors of ginger are softened by the aroma of the digestive biscuit to form the backbone of the famous blended whiskey. Whiskey was important to the area long before the legitimate distillery was founded in 1798. Illicit distillation and whiskey smuggling were rife in the area where the countryside was ideal for hiding a still from the prying eyes of excise duty. Smuggling was so entrenched that the Duke of Atholl was even believed to have used his Isle of Man property to make a considerable fortune off smugglers.
If you are looking to get out into the beautiful countryside that surrounds the town of Blair Atholl, then there are a variety of activities to choose from. Everything from walking to biking, even deer stalking, is available locally. Mackays offers a charming and compact log cabin that enjoys a quiet and secluded location tucked away on a quiet residential street at the back of the owner’s home. It is the perfect place for a relaxing and peaceful holiday amidst breathtaking scenery.
