Advertorial Feature

Blair Castle & Atholl Estates has revealed what it has planned for an Egg-citing Easter, with events for all the family, both inside and outside the Castle grounds. Those buying a Gardens & Grounds ticket on Easter Sunday (5th April) will be able to meet the Easter Bunny at 11am in the Castle’s Banvie Hall, and join a day of fun activity until 4pm.

Events include an Easter Egg Decorating Competition, an Easter Egg Rolling Competition, and an Easter Egg Hunt in the beautiful Hercules walled garden. Prizes will be given out for both competitions, as well as the Egg Hunt.

There will also be two amazing opportunities to feed the estate’s red deer, at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. As very curious creatures, red deer love to come along and pose for pictures as you feed them.

Finally, Tractor Tours around the estate are also running, providing a chance to spot wildlife on a fifteen to twenty minute fun & informative tour. Departing at 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm and 3.30pm, these tours can be accessed for £5 per person when you have purchased a Gardens Ticket. Two to four year olds are free. The tours are not suitable for the under two’s, or for dogs.

The popular Tullibardine Restaurant within the Castle will be open on Easter Sunday, serving up some Easter themed treats!

“It’s going to be lots of fun on Easter Sunday here at Blair Castle,” said Jess Reid, Marketing Manager for Blair Castle & Atholl Estates. “Everything we have planned is family friendly, with a choice of activities both indoors and out. Our Tractor Tours and Deer Feeding are both ideal multi generational activities for Easter Sunday.”

“Don’t worry if you can’t come along on Easter Sunday though, as we are running an Easter Egg Hunt inside the castle every day of the school holidays. Available for free with a castle entry ticket, this event actually starts on Good Friday, 3rd April, and runs until Sunday 19th. Everyone completing the hunt gets a prize which can be collected from the castle gift shop,” she said.

Also running across the school holidays, (7th-17th April) and facilitated by Estate Ranger, Julia, are a series of fun, educational activities for children which will take place outwith the castle grounds in Blair Atholl Village, a short two-minute drive from the castle. The estate asks that each child is accompanied by an adult. Donations are being sought for these events, any money donated will go towards The Cairngorms Trust to help maintain paths, local car parks, and to help care for local wildlife in the area.

“We are hoping that parents coming along to the children's easter events with Julia, will be able to donate to The Cairngorms Trust. Donation pots will be available for contributions after sessions.”

Jess finished by highlighting that two events in May would provide an opportunity for interested parties to find out more about foraging on the estate.

“Taking place 10.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday 23rd May and Sunday 24th May, we are privileged to have our foraging expert, Tamara, running sessions to learn about the edible and medicinal spring plants found in the grounds of Blair Castle & Gardens,” said Jess. “The course consists of a three hour foraging experience, in which you will learn lifelong identification techniques, inspiring recipe ideas, and a wealth of ethnobotanical tales.”

“During the walk, Tamara moves through a variety of habitats – woodland, meadow, hedgerow and garden – taking time to connect with each surrounding environment, noticing their changing flora and subtle variations in character.”

“It’s a fascinating experience which is another highlight of moving from winter into spring and summer. Both events are happening on the same weekend as the Atholl Highlanders Parade and Atholl Gathering, so buy your tickets now to avoid missing out!” she said.

The foraging experience must be pre-booked, and costs £45 pp for adults, with children free.

Further details on it, plus additional information on Easter & other spring events can be found online at https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/easter-events/, https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/easter-ranger-events/ and https://atholl-estates.co.uk/events/spring-foraging-blair-castle/

Images: Graham Reid

Advertorial Feature