Blair Castle open for business after fire

A HISTORIC Scottish castle will open to the public today - despite a potentially catastrophic blaze which badly damaged its iconic clock tower.

Investigations were continuing yesterday into the cause of the inferno which ripped through the clock tower at 13th century Blair Castle in Perthshire - the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl.

The roof of the building collapsed, gutting the interior of the structure which was built after part of the castle was destroyed in a previous blaze in 1745. Investigations are understood to be centred on the boiler room which was housed within the tower.

Andrew Bruce Wootton, the general manager of the Atholl Estates, said that the actions of firefighters from Tayside Fire and Rescue Service had prevented devastating damage to the ancient castle.

He said: "The swift action of the emergency services to a fire at Blair Castle averted a near catastrophe last night. Thankfully the castle was empty at the time and the few residents were quickly evacuated. Fears that the fire would spread to the rest of the castle failed to materialise and firefighters had fully extinguished the blaze by 10pm."