Atholl Estate at Blair Atholl
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Atholl Estate, Blair Atholl AV Atholl Estate in Highland Perthshire Give us a break is centred around the white-walled Children in families suffering economic hardship can feel isolated and may miss out on activities that others enjoy. Blair Castle in Blair SYHA Hostelling Scotland and The Lighthouse Foundation Atholl. This part of the organised a funded two-day residential Give Us A Break trip Cairngorms National for Primary 6 and 7 pupils and teachers to provide outdoor Park has something for experiences and build confidence and self-esteem. everyone, from touring On their way to the youth hostel in Pitlochry, the children a working farm to going enjoyed a go-kart session before a delicious meal at the hostel. After breakfast the next morning, the group met Beyond Adventure, who organised the on a safari drive. The activities, at Weem Wood Forestry Commission park. Day one was ‘land day’ and adventurous can even the children participated in a full day of activities including wayfaring, a simple form of try white-water rafting. orienteering, and some simple crag rock climbing. Day two was ‘water day’ and after learning the basics of paddling canoes, the children explored Loch Faskally and visited the dramatic Linn of Tummel waterfall. Afterwards, one teacher said, ‘Three boys who find classroom learning challenging It's scary were alert, cooperative and participated throughout the whole experience.’ but I'm really looking forward to " the canoeing This youth inclusion project was organised by SYHA Hostelling Scotland and the Lighthouse Foundation. The Lighthouse Foundation provides support to families Inspired? affected by addiction. SYHA offers funded activity breaks for socially excluded or vulnerable young people. Here's how...If you would like to organise a similar project, please contact SYHA 0845 293 7373 www.syha.org.uk/GiveUsABreak or The Lighthouse Foundation 01563 521343 Image copyrights: Lorne Gill/SNH, 2011 Ian Watson Top things to do Wildlife watching Blair Castle Experience the changing beauty AV of Highland Perthshire by going on Blair Castle is the ancient seat of a guided dawn or dusk Land Rover the Dukes of Atholl and dates back safari led by one of the Atholl Estate to the 13th century. Castle tours gamekeepers. You will have the bring you face-to-face with Jacobean opportunity to see red deer, birds weapon displays, stunning artwork of prey and black grouse in their and grand rooms. The ground floor Atholl Estate natural habitat. of the castle, restaurant and gift Atholl Estates Office 01796 481355 shop are wheelchair accessible and Adventure activities a mobility scooter can be hired for Walking and cycling access to the gardens. Access to the This varied countryside of woodlands, grounds is free. An audio-visual guide rivers and mountains provide many Atholl Estate has six waymarked trails is also available. opportunities for adventurous activities for walking and cycling leading from Blair Castle 01796 481207 from mountain biking and hillwalking the Glen Tilt car park in Blair Atholl. to off-road driving, pony trekking and The paths in the castle grounds are Working watermill white-water rafting. wheelchair friendly and there are Dating back to 1590s, the mill in www.blairatholl.org.uk longer trails leading through the hills Blair Atholl is one of the few and glens. The Falls of Bruar trail, remaining working watermills. You Ranger service which starts at the House of Bruar can tour the mill and watch the The Atholl Estate Ranger Service car park, is a 1.5-mile circular traditional methods of grinding has an active programme of guided woodland trail following a series wheat and oats before relaxing in walks and events for children and of waterfalls. the tea room where you can enjoy adults. They also run educational www.visitcairngorms.com homemade baking. visits for all school ages and an indoor Blair Atholl Watermill classroom is available. 01796 481321 Atholl Estates Office 01796 481355 How to get here Access for all Further information Nearest train station is Blair Atholl Blair Castle gardens have accessible Atholl Estates Office (1.5 miles) trails, and mobility scooters are [email protected] Scotrail 08457 559933 available for hire. 01796 481355 Local buses to Pitlochry, Bruar, Blair Atholl Area Tourism Association Calvine and Struan Accommodation www.blairatholl.org.uk Blair Atholl and nearby Pitlochry have Elizabeth Yule 01796 472290 a range of accommodation including Visit Cairngorms Citylink services to Blair Atholl camping and caravan parks, youth www.visitcairngorms.com Citylink 0871 266 3333 hostel, B&Bs, hotels and lodges. Scotland’s National Nature Reserves Community Travel Grant Scottish Youth Hostel Association www.nnr-scotland.org.uk http://outdoors4all.org.uk/ctg.html SYHA Pitlochry 01796 472308 Pick up a copy of The Cairngorms Explorer leaflet from Blair Atholl Eating From cosy tea rooms to roast dinners Visitor Information Centre for useful there is a good selection of places to information about how to get to and Staying longer? eat in the surrounding area. around the Park without a car. Visit nearby: • Killiecrankie Visitor Centre • Queen’s View • Pitlochry’s salmon ladder • Creag Meagaidh NNR.