The white-towered presence of Blair Castle dominates the scenery around Blair Atholl, and the beautiful gardens are definitely worth exploring while in the area. Garden access only is quite reasonably priced too, with a family ticket for two adults and three children costing £31.00 if booked online and £33.00 at the gate.

My personal favourite place within the extensive grounds is Diana’s Grove. Named from a statue of the goddess of hunting at the entrance, the Grove is home to huge conifer trees from all of the world, many of them champion specimens. The tallest, a grand fir, stands at 200 feet! The largest trees in the grove are labelled and numbered so they can be easily identified when strolling through. Although the trees towering above might be thought overwhelming, we find the grove to be an extremely restful place. The sounds of the wind through their branches and the nearby stream make a pleasant backdrop.

Having explored the Grove, anyone interested in Scottish history can head the other side to investigate the ruins of St Bride’s Kirk, a short walk away. Dating from the 16th century, the site was probably used even before then in Celtic times, as is suggested by the name. The Kirk has a great deal of history, but it’s probably most famous for being where John Graham of Claverhouse—otherwise known as Bonnie Dundee—is buried. In general it’s an absolutely fascinating little building and kirkyard.

Leaving the Kirk, a path leads down towards the walled garden, known as the Hercules Garden. This is special for its large lily pond running through the centre, Chinese style bridge, abundance of apple trees and some truly charming little buildings. Ducks and moorhens roam at will and make use of the mini crannog-style houses out into the water. One of the three islands can be accessed from land and contains a lovely formal herb garden. My favourite structure though is the adorable ‘Apple House’ which I would need very little persuasion to move into.

When you’re ready for a drink and something there is a pleasant cafe at the Castle, and once done, it’s just a short walk up the hill to see the deer enclosure. If everyone has energy left, the gardens also offer a sculpture trail and a children’s play park— where even we adults can have some fun! Your final visit should be to to the gift shop, which has a good mix of different types of gifts and keepsakes.

There is loads to do and see at Blair Castle Gardens, and with the addition of a wander around the town of Blair Atholl, can easily fill up a whole day. There’s the added pleasure of seeing the beautiful castle up close and from a different angle, and of course you can always pay extra to tour the inside if you wish and finance allow, which can be a good option if the weather turns wet. There’s also plenty of possibilities for dining in the village if you want.