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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Blair Castle
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(56km/35m NW of Perth) Stronghold of the dukes of Atholl, dating in part from the 13C but much altered. Turned in the 18C into as gracious a mansion as its great walls would allow, it later returned to a medieval appearance when the leading advocates of the *Scottish baronial style, David Bryce and his nephew John, were employed in 1869 to bring back the turrets. Blair was the last castle in Britain to withstand a siege; it was held in 1746 by royalist troops, whom the followers of Bonnie Prince Charlie failed to dislodge. A century later Queen Victoria, on a visit in 1844, gave her host a unique privilege which survives today; the duke of Atholl is the only citizen allowed to maintain a small private army, the Atholl Highlanders.
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