Evolution of Blair Castle – Medieval Period

Like most very old houses, Blair Castle has grown and evolved, been transformed and modified by successive generations to reflect changing tastes, fashions and requirements. There have been three main development periods – medieval, Georgian and Victorian, followed by a recent millennial project.

The earliest known part of the present castle dates from 1269 and is known as Cumming’s Tower. John Cumming of Badenoch took advantage of the Earl’s absence on the crusades to start building a tower. Despite the Earl’s complaints to the King, the tower survives to this day and forms the highest part of the castle.

The original tower had an extension added to it by the 3rd Earl in 1530 to form a Great Hall (the present Dining Room) over a series of vaulted chambers below.

Evolution - Georgian Period

In 1740 the 2nd Duke began to transform the ancient medieval structure into a more fashionable Georgian residence. He employed the architect James Winter to remove the turrets and castellation and create an elegant home of the period. Winter used pitched roofs, chimney stacks and Georgian fenestration. He also arranged for the stuccoist Thomas Clayton of Edinburgh
to create fine plasterwork interiors in the grand rooms.

The above painting shows the completed Georgian transformation just eight years before the next stage in the castle’s evolution.

Evolution – Victorian Period

Following the growing popularity of Scottish Baronial architecture, the 7th Duke commissioned the Edinburgh architects David Bryce and William Burne to remodel the castle once more in the 1860s/70s. Bryce had a happy respect for the architectural integrity of the buildings on which he worked and his proposals were in sympathy with the existing structure.

Crenallations and turrets removed during the Georgian period were reinstated, a new entrance hall erected and a magnificent ballroom added. New gates were installed and the latest services including bathrooms, telephones and gas were introduced for the first time.

David Bryce’s fine ballroom is unchanged to this day and is used for many Highland balls, banquets and functions. During the Great War the castle was used as an auxiliary hospital and from 1922 the family found it more convenient to live in the private apartments.

Evolution – Millennial Period

For the new Millennium, architects Jamie Troughton and Hugh Broughton constructed a new exhibition hall known as the Banvie Hall at the north end, adjoining the ballroom. They also enlarged the restaurant, introduced a new summer terrace and replanned the castle gift shop.

New electrical, lighting and plumbing services were installed, fitting the castle as a flagship venue for Scotland in a new era.