Firefighters from across Perthshire raced to save one of Scotland’s most iconic castles last night after a blaze tore through its historic clock tower.
Flames engulfed the structure at Blair Castle around 8.30pm, lighting a beacon that could be seen for miles around.
The fire sparked a huge emergency operation following a barrage of calls from alarmed locals and drivers who had spotted the incident from the A9.
Fire appliances from all over Perthshire descended on the castle, a number of them diverting directly from a fatal car accident on the notorious trunk road earlier in the day.
Once on the scene they discovered the clock tower, a relic dating from the Jacobite Uprising era, wreathed in flames. Such was the ferocity that sparks and billowing flames were in danger of spreading to other parts of the castle’s south wing.
Crews from Pitlochry and Blair Atholl joined civilian firefighters from the estate and they were quickly supplemented by another eight appliances. The Bronto skylift was also put into action in a bid to tackle the blaze from above.
However, within minutes of the arrival of the emergency services the weakened building gave way and the wooden-beamed roof collapsed in on itself. Only through the swift action of firefighters was the blaze contained within the structure, though fire breaks between the tower and the rest of the castle played their part.
The blaze was under control and then extinguished within the hour, though fire crews and police officers remained at the scene for some time.
Staff from the castle rushed to offer assistance, among them events manager Kasey Inglis who raised the alarm, having spotted flames leaping from the roof as she drove nearby.
Among those also at the scene were Blair Castle archivist Jane Anderson and general manager Andrew Bruce Wootton.
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Mr Wootton said he’d headed for the castle fearing the worst and admitted the air of relative jollity among staff was borne out of relief.
“We are all quite hyper this evening as our castle is intact,” he said. “I was most certainly travelling here fearing the worst, as were many of our estate staff who came to see what assistance they could offer.
“When I arrived there were sparks and flames everywhere and the threat of the fire spreading to other parts of the castle was immense. Fortunately, it was caught in the nick of time.
“There was a terrific response from the emergency services and I understand that some of the units that attended had been on scene on the A9 before coming straight here. It’s been a very good show by them.”
Mr Wootton added, “It is very fortunate that the fire broke out in this part of the building — excepting that there was a fire at all — as it is effectively a large chimney and the excellent fire breaks helped ensure that the flames were contained within its four walls.
“Thankfully it doesn’t appear that there has been any major structural damage, though of course the roof has come down. The internal wooden beams burnt away as the fire was ongoing for a good hour.
“We’ll begin reinstatement works immediately and should be open for business without any disruption.”
Ms Anderson meanwhile revealed that the clock tower had been hit by fire before — in fact it is thought it is the only part of the castle to have been involved in such an incident. The tower had to be entirely rebuilt after fire tore through it in 1814.
“Though it may not be one of the most significant aspects of the castle, it is one of the older parts of the building,” she added.
Initial investigations have revealed that the fire started at the base of the clock tower in what’s described as the boiler room.
Sergeant Alice Coventry, from Tayside Police, said, “There was a very swift response from the emergency services. By the time they arrived on scene everyone who had been within the castle when the fire broke out had already been evacuated.
“Thankfully no one was injured and the fire did not spread beyond the clock tower.”