DATE: Last weekend in May. 25/26 May, 2002.
VENUE: Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Pitlochry PHI 8 5TL, Scotland (games take place in the Target Park at the Castle)
DESCRIPTION: The Atholl Highlanders claim to be the last remaining private army in Europe. They began simply as clansmen who fought to protect their clan, but gained Royal approval in 1845, after Queen Victoria issued regimental colours to the 200 or so Athollmen who formed the Royal bodyguard. The Atholl Highlanders regularly provide Guards of Honour and hold parades locally and in Edinburgh and elsewhere, wearing their own uniforms and firing salutes. Their inspection by the Duke of Atholl is a sight to behold; the inspection and the annual parade of the Highlanders and their Pipe Band takes place at Blair Castle at around 3pm on the last Saturday in May, (25 May, 2002), followed by the local Highland Games on Sunday.. The castle itself, which dates from 1269, is steeped in Royal history: during the 1745 Jacobite revolt, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here. The army remains today as a private ceremonial bodyguard to the Duke.
Blair Castle also hosts the Bowmore Blair Castle Horse Trials and Fair, a three day international event 22 - 25 August.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Mr J Milligan in the Atholl Estate Office; tel: 01796 481355.
WEBSITE: www.blairatholl.org.uk; www.perthshire.co.uk (Perthshire Tourist Board)
GETTING THERE: Blair Castle is at Blair Atholl, on Tayside in Scotland, around eight miles from the town of Pitlochry.
TICKETS: Contact Alasdair Busby, General
Manager, Blair Castle, Blair Atholl; tel: 01796 481207. ACCOMMODATION: The obvious choice of accommodation is
the Atholl Arms Hotel, a comfortable and friendly
traditional Highland hotel that dates from 1832 (Atholl Arms
Hotel, Blair Atholl, Perthshire PH18 5SG; tel: 01796 481205;
fax: 01796 481550; email: enquiries@atholl-arms-hotel.co.uk). EVENT: The Royal Caledonian Ball DESCRIPTION: One of the better-connected and well-established
charity balls on the annual circuit. The Royal Caledonian
Ball Trust raises money to encourage the youth of Scotland
Excellent B&B en-suite accommodation is available at Ptarmigan
Guest House, The Terrace, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. Tel : 01796 481269
Fax : 01796 481269 E-mail : gordon@ptarmiganhouse.co.uk
Web Site : www.ptarmiganhouse.co.uk
The guesthouse, (illustrated), is a former 19th century shooting lodge just one mile from Blair Castle and three miles from Killiecrankie, scene of the 1689 battle. A separate self catering house is also available.
DATE: 29 April, 2002, from 8pm to 3.30am
VENUE: The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane,
London W1A 3AA
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