Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The original tower was built in 1269, but the castle has undergone significant remodel-
ling since. Thirty rooms are open to the public and they present a wonderful picture of
upper-class Highland life from the 16th century on. The
dining room
is sumptuous -
check out the nine-pint wine glasses - and the
ballroom
is a vaulted chamber that's a vir-
tual stag cemetery.
The current duke visits the castle every May to review the Atholl Highlanders, Britain's
only private army.
For a great cycle, walk or drive, take the stunning road to
Glenfender
from Blair Atholl
village. It's about 3 miles on a long, winding uphill track to a farmhouse; the views of
snowcapped peaks along the way are spectacular.
Atholl Arms Hotel
(
01796-481205;
www.athollarms.co.uk
;
s/d £67/82; )
,
near the castle, is a well-run place with darkish rooms with comfortably old-fashioned de-
cor. The Bothy Bar here is the sibling pub of the Moulin Hotel in Pitlochry, snug with
booth seating, low-slung roof, bucketloads of character and an enormous fireplace.
Blair Atholl is 6 miles northwest of Pitlochry, and the castle a further mile beyond it.
Local buses run between Pitlochry and Blair Atholl (25 minutes, three to seven daily).
Four buses a day (Monday to Saturday) go directly to the castle. There's a train station in
the village, but not all trains stop here.
Blairgowrie & Glenshee
The route along the A93 through Glenshee is one of the most spectacular drives in the
country. Meandering burns and soaring peaks splotched with blinding-white snow dwarf
open-mouthed drivers. It's fantastic
walking
country in summer, and there's
skiing
in
winter.
Blairgowrie
and
Braemar
are the main accommodation centres for the Glenshee
resort, although there is a small settlement 5 miles south of the ski runs at
Spittal of Glen-
shee
with a couple of good sleeping options.
Activities
Glenshee Ski Resort
(
01339-741320;
www.ski-glenshee.co.uk
; half-/full day lift pass £23/28)
With 36 pistes
Glenshee is one of Scotland's largest skiing areas. When the sun burns through the clouds
after a good fall of snow, you'll be in a unique position to drink in the beauty of the coun-
try; the skiing isn't half bad either. The chairlift, which also opens in July and August for
SNOW SPORTS
