Blackcraig Castle
9.7Strathardle, Perthshire, Scotland
Exclusive Use
You can have the venue to yourself, sleeps 14 guests in 7 rooms.
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One of the finest examples of Baronial architecture in Scotland.
Located in Strathardle, Perthshire, Blackcraig Castle is a glorious interpretation of what a Highland castle should look like, with its tower, turrets, crows steps, large arch and fascinating stone carvings. It's a great property for social or corporate occasions with stays carefully tailored to suit your group’s individual requirements.
The Castle
Blackcraig Castle has seven bedrooms and is available for exclusive hire for up to fourteen guests.
Within the five-storey tower there are three bedrooms, with bathrooms, and a comfortable living area with a kitchen. The tower features an observatory and parapet; it also has a small library which can be made available to guests.
There are a further four bedrooms and bathrooms located inside the rest of the property, all traditionally restored with original furnishings.
When entering through the front door, the Jacobean-style hall leads to a large, elegant dining room with original, carved-oak table and a butler’s kitchen, which is great for all-day tea and coffee.
There is a large courtyard which, like the hall, also works well as an entertaining space. The courtyard also has a turreted sauna.
There are two more impressive public rooms on the first floor of the house: the original wood-panelled drawing room with its petite Champagne bar, and a traditional billiard room.
All of the main public rooms have large, stone-carved fireplaces.
The kitchen has a separate outside door where there is an area used for outdoor eating, which also includes a barbecue. It connects to the garden room which, for larger groups, can be used as an alternative day-time eatery.
The self-contained Garden Apartment has a bright living room with kitchen and its own private garden area. It also has two further bedrooms and bathrooms, suitable for staff.
Summary
4 x double bedrooms with en-suite bath or shower room
(The Lairds Room, The Heather Room, PM Gladstone's Room & The Tower Room)
1 x double room with separate private bathroom & shower room
(The Lavender Room)
2 x twin rooms with separate private shower rooms
(The Clock Tower Room & The Tower Twin)
2 x additional twin rooms suitable for staff, one en-suite and one with separate shower room
(The Garden Apartment)
Grounds
The gardens and courtyards offer various outdoor spaces for social events or relaxation. They are surrounded by the array of Victorian trees, hills and forests, with the Cairngorm mountains visible to the north.
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Immediately in front of the castle is the pinetum with its dramatic redwood, spruce and fir specimens and, to the south, is the croquet lawn and “lovers walk” which overlooks the walled garden and leads to the parkland.
The turreted walled garden compliments the architectural stature of the castle, and has been lovingly restored to create a great space for any type of outdoor event.
The parkland has a short game nine-hole golf course and outdoor cooking plus firepit areas.
The castle gardens and parkland run adjacent to the River Ardle where, as well as swimming and canoeing, there is fishing for trout and, later in the summer, salmon.
History
Blackcraig Castle was built in 1856 by Patrick Allan Fraser, a prominent Scottish artist and architect, and is designated as a Class B-listed building, with its walled garden A-listed.
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Surveys suggest that, originally occupying the site of Blackcraig Castle was a 16th-century tower house thought to be the property of the Maxwells, who were in possession of the barony of Ballmacreuchy by 1550.
Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield, Arbroath, purchased the estate of Blackcraig from the trustees of Robert Rattray in 1847, before embarking on the extension and renovation of the tower house in 1856, with the addition of a bridgehouse and gatehouse. The original tower house stood three storeys in height and the masonry is of lime-mortared rubble, readily distinguishable from the 19th-century extensions.
Patrick Allan-Fraser continued to alter and extend Blackcraig until the 1880’s when ill-health halted further progress. It became part of the Hospitalfield Arts Trust after his death in 1890 and was later sold and run as a guest-house for a number of years.
Blackcraig Castle remains one of the finest examples of Baronial architecture in Scotland. It has undergone extensive renovations/modernisation in recent years to return it to its full former glory.
The Gladstones
In 1893, Prime Minister William Gladstone and his wife stayed at Blackcraig for a number of weeks. During his stay, Gladstone had a large stone in the shape of a seat brought down from the hill and placed to the left of the front door - thereafter known as Gladstone's seat.
Activities
With its central location, Blackcraig Castle has excellent access to many renowned Scottish attractions; whisky distilleries, golf courses, beaches, historic sites, cities, mountains and lochs. The castle staff will be happy to help you plan itineraries in the local area.
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Local Visits and Sightseeing
Braemar & Ballater
Persie Gin Distillery, Glenshee Ski Area, Fife Arms, Royal Deeside Balmoral, Prince Charles’ Restaurant, Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
Dundee & St Andrews
V&A Museum, Discovery Ship, R&A Golf Museum, Sea Life Centre & Aquarium, Himalayas famous putting course, Balgove Larder, St Andrews Castle & Abbey, beaches.
Dunkeld & Pitlochry
River arboretum walk, Hermitage waterfalls, salmon ladder, Edradour Distillery, Blair Athol Distillery, House of Bruar, Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Loch Tay & Aberfeldy
Hot Box sauna & water slide, boat hire, full water sports, Cranog Loch House, picnic around the loch
Perth
Scone Palace, Perth Race Course, river trip to Elco Castle, Antiques Centre, Theatres, Museums and Art Galleries, Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre.
Local Events
Highland Games
There are Highland Games held throughout the summer months in Scotland, many are centuries-old, the most well-known are the Braemar Games which are often attended by the Queen and the Royal Family. Local games are held at Kirkmichael, with other local games in Glen Isla, Alyth and Blairgowrie.
Scone Palace
There are race meetings held throughout the summer at Scone Palace Race Course.
Game Fair
The Game Fair is a major annual event exhibiting all things country and game; it is held over three days at Scone Palace in early summer.
Sporting
Golf
Only fifteen minutes away is the renowned Blairgowrie Golf Club, which has hosted the Open Qualifiers and Junior Ryder Cup. There are the challenging Rosemount and Lansdowne 18-hole courses or the 9-hole Wee Course, for evening fun. Otherwise there are courses at Dunkeld, Pitlochry and the truly-Highland course at Braemar. Further afield are the world-famous St Andrews, Gleneagles and Carnoustie courses, all about one-and-a-half hour's drive from the castle.
Fishing
Demonstrations and tuition are available on the castle lawns; trout and salmon fishing are available on the castle beat, or fully-organised day trips to fish for that elusive Scottish salmon with boats and ghillies on the River Tay. Local loch fishing for trout is also available, most of which includes boats. Guides and equipment can be provided for all.
Clay Shooting
Sample at the castle or take full tuition and varied traps at the Dunkeld or Auchterhouse centres.
Stalking and Shoot Days
There are four local estates within 20 minutes' drive, which seasonally provide stalking and game shooting. There are also many more within an hour's drive of the castle.
Watersports
There are a number of outdoor adventure organisations which provide river and loch pursuits in the area. As with all sports, it is often necessary to pre-book and, sometimes with the more famous or popular locations, well in advance.
The Croquet Lawn and French Boules Court
Within the grounds there is a croquet lawn and French boules court.
Prices
Exclusive use of this traditional Scottish family castle includes:
- On-site chef
- Daily housekeeping service
- Fresh flowers supplied
- All linen, toiletries, logs etc. provided - no hidden extras
Access to some fantastic local activities including fishing and 4x4 off-roading. We can arrange a piper on arrival. Please contact us to discuss further options.
Helicopters can land, so remote excursions can be arranged.
3 nights
Bed and breakfast from £9,975
Dinner, bed and breakfast from £13,125
7 nights
Bed and breakfast from £21,525
Dinner, bed and breakfast from £28,875
Prices are inclusive of VAT. The above can be modified to suit your personal requirements, we'd love to discuss your ideas!
Location
Blackcraig Castle is nestled in the glen of Strathardle, between Bridge of Cally and Kirkmichael. This small glen is a gateway from lowland Perthshire to the Scottish Highlands, with unspoilt beauty along the length of its winding road. A little further north is Royal Deeside, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built Balmoral, their Baronial summer home. Edinburgh and Glasgow are less than two hours' drive away.
Reviews
9.7