Old Blair

Old Blair
Scottish Gaelic: Seann Bhlàr

Old Blair Kirk
Old Blair
 Old Blair shown within Perth and Kinross
OS grid referenceNN8666
Council areaPerth and Kinross
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
List of places
UK
Scotland

Coordinates: 56°46′N 3°52′W / 56.77°N 03.86°W / 56.77; -03.86

Old Blair is a tiny village of 18th century stone houses in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, adjoining and overlooking the grounds of Blair Castle. It is the site of St Bride's Kirk, the original church of Blair Atholl parish. This probably early Christian foundation was replaced by a new building in Blair Atholl village in the 19th century. There are substantial remains of the unroofed original church, set within an unwalled graveyard, though its western tower has been removed. The ancient building is flanked on the south side by a 'laird's aisle' of 16th century date, which encloses several monuments of the family of the Dukes of Atholl. John Graham of Claverhouse, 'Bonnie Dundee' (d 1689) is also buried in the vault below the aisle.

The modern burial ground of the ducal family lies within railings beside the mound on which the church is set.

The main medieval road north through the Central Highlands of Scotland formerly passed through Old Blair and on through Glen Banvie to the Minigaig Pass. It was in use up to the 18th century. The 'village street' of Old Blair was built on either side of it.

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This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 10, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.