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Three Generations of the Atholl family to be on parade at Blair Castle
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For the first time in the history of the dukedom of Atholl, there will be three generations of the duke’s family at this year’s Atholl Highlanders’ Parade.
His Grace, The 11th Duke of Atholl, will recruit his grandson, the Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle, into the Atholl Highlander Regiment on Saturday 26 May at Blair Castle, joining the Duke’s son, the Marquis of Tullibardine, who will also travel from South Africa for the parade.
Commencing at 2.30pm under the Command of the Regimental Sergeant Major, the parade will also include inspection by the Duke of Atholl.
The Atholl Highlanders are the only remaining private army in Europe having been granted the right to bear arms in the 1840s by Her Majesty Queen Victoria. The Regiment gather annually on the last weekend of May at Blair Castle in Highland Perthshire, and the parade proves to be a popular tourist attraction. Entry to the event costs £2.50 for adults, £1.30 for children and £5.70 for families.
On Sunday 27 May, the Atholl Highlanders will ‘March On’ at the start of the 2007 Atholl Gathering and Highland Games, before His Grace the Duke of Atholl will formally open the event.
This year’s Games promise World Class Heavyweights, Caber Tossing, Hammer Throwing and other feats of strength, as well as entertainment for all the family with Children’s Races, Highland Dancing, Piping and a range of trade stands, beer tent and fairground attractions.
Tickets for the Sunday event are £5 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and £2 for children.
A full programme of the weekend’s events is available from the Atholl Estates Office on 01796 481355 and at www.blair-castle.co.uk
Background Information
John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl
The 11th Duke of Atholl was born in South Africa in 1929 and graduated with a B.Sc. in Engineering (Land Survey) from the University of Witwatersrand in 1953 before practising as a land surveyor. Although he still lives in South Africa, the Duke has been able to visit Blair Castle regularly since he succeeded to the title in 1996. He has a daughter (Lady Jennifer) and two sons (Bruce, Marquis of Tullibardine, and Lord Craig) and seven grandchildren.
Bruce George Ronald Murray, Marquis of Tullibardine (Age 47)
The Marquis of Tullibardine was born in South Africa and was educated at Saasveld Forestry College. The Marquis has previous managed a tea plantation and now runs his own business producing signs for commercial buildings. He has served two years of National Service with the South African Infantry battalion and continues to serve as a volunteer member of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment – part of the South African Defence Force. The Marquis was commissioned into the Atholl Highlanders in 2000.
Michael Bruce John Murray, Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle (Age 22)
The Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle was also born in South Africa and has studied at Stanford College before spending two years in London. The Earl is currently studying sports science at the University of Pretoria specialising in mountain climbing, rugby, squash and cricket.
The Atholl Highlanders
The original Atholl Highlanders were a regular regiment, the 77th, raised in 1777 for service in America. However, after being stationed in Ireland, the war had concluded before they embarked for America and they were disbanded in 1783. In 1839 Lord Glenlyon, later 6th Duke, participated in a tournament at Eglinton in Ayrshire, taking with him a bodyguard of Athollmen. On Queen Victoria’s first visit to Scotland at Dunkeld in 1842 and during her stay at Blair Castle in 1844 these men provided Guards of Honour. In recognition of this service Her Majesty granted them colours and thus the right to bear arms. This unique grant constituted the Atholl Highlanders. The original colours, which still survive in the castle, were presented on September 4th, 1845.
Under the 7th Duke, the Highlanders provided royal visitors with guards of honour, visited the Braemar games and participated in the opening of the Glasgow water supply by Queen Victoria at Loch Katrine. An annual Gathering, when they paraded and then competed in trials of strength and stamina, was held the first week of September, at Blair Castle.
After the First World War regimental parades fell into abeyance although the pipers appeared on special occasion such as the visits to Blair of The Crown Prince of Japan in 1921 and King Feisal of Iraq in 1933 and the funeral of the 8th Duke in 1942. In 1966 the 10th Duke decided to revive the rank and file and to hold annual parades. From small beginnings it grew to the present strength of about 100. Officers are mainly local lairds although the rest of the men are recruited by invitation from the duke, and have estate or local connections. At the parade each new recruit is presented with a sprig of juniper, which is worn behind the cap badge.
Blair Castle
The castle has been the ancient home and fortress of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl for over 725 years, commanding a strategic position on the main route through the central Highlands. It is reputed to be the last castle in Britain to have been besieged. The forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie and those of the government both laid siege at different times during the Jacobite Rising of 1745-46. Today Blair Castle is a five-star, world-class visitor attraction. It is Scotland’s most visited private home, displaying beautiful furniture, fine collection of paintings, arms and armour, china and other unique treasures which present a stirring picture of Scottish life from the 16th century to the present day.
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