Distance: 22km
After a lovely rest day it was up and at ’em again. I feel very ready. It’s another shortish day today, as I have decided I’m going to visit an actual castle this afternoon at Blair Atholl. Seems like a must do whilst I’m in Scotland, so I’m doing it. Should be fun!
It’s a beautiful walk this morning through the magical Faskally Forest, massive trees looming over the track. To the left, Loch Faskally, bubbling away under the bright blue sky. I come to the Pass of Killecrankie (what a name!), a huge railway infrastructure and site of much Jacobean history. I see red squirrels running around in the wood. It’s a great blend of natural beauty and interesting history and the kilometres pass very quickly.
After lunch I’m following the Garry River though it is mostly road walking, or just off road walking, all the way into town. Again, it’s quick though, and I arrive at the caravan park and get set up on my “pitch” (a totally treeless patch of grass) with plenty of time to visit the Blair Castle, which conveniently, is right next door.
I arrive at the Castle, which is white and austere, just in time to watch a solo female bagpiper belt out a few tunes. It sounds amazing, and she does a great job in front of the large crowd. Inside, there are 30 amazing rooms to explore.
It’s hard to describe the mixture of opulence and hard work. All those antiques dating back over 750 years, but with it, all the hand-made tapestries and paintings painstakingly made by the ladies of the time. The rooms are often an amazing mishmash of colours and themes, set off by glorious ceilings, wallpapers, chairs and antlers. It is indeed, life from another world. So hard to imagine. The last couple of Dukes don’t even live in Scotland, but in South Africa. They come back once a year for an annual celebration. I really enjoy the experience, but at the end, am also grateful for my fairly minimalistic life.
This article was originally published on The Trek which can be found here
Fabulous day, so well described! So glad you gave time to explore a castle, though the exterior of that one is very “modern”!! Love the antlered grand chair!