Blair Castle. Exterior detail of plaque in wall. Digital image of PT 467.

Description Blair Castle. Exterior detail of plaque in wall. Digital image of PT 467.

Date 1962

Catalogue Number SC 767262

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of PT 467

Scope and Content Detail of carved panel, Blair Castle, Perth & Kinross This shows a carved stone panel set into one of the castle walls, which probably dates from the 18th century. A deeply moulded frame encloses the figure of the top half of a 'savage' holding a sword and key, and the coronet (small crown) of a duke carved in relief. These emblems feature as part of the Atholl coat of arms. Armorial panels representing coats of arms, or the badges and mottoes of a clan are placed in prominent positions on many estate buildings to denote ownership and pride in family history. Coats of arms were traditionally used to identify people fighting on battlefields, but through time became much more elaborate, signifying family bonds and allegiances. Blair Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl, was begun in 1269, extended in the 15th and 16th centuries, and remodelled to resemble a Georgian mansion by architect James Winter in the mid-1700s. The south-east wing was built in 1743-5, and rebuilt to include a clock-tower to designs by architect Archibald Elliot in 1814 after a fire. The castle was 're-baronialised' to designs by architect David Bryce in 1869-71, who also designed the ballroom (1826-7). It was modified again in 1886 (J C Walker), 1904-5 (J McIntyre Henry) and 1920-1 (Sir Robert Lorimer). Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/767262

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap