Blair Castle, one of Scotland’s biggest tourist destinations and the ancestral home of the Murray Clan, is marking Scotland’s Year of Homecoming with an open invitation to all Murrays across the globe to visit their ancestral home, and their visits to the Castle will be absolutely free.
The Castle, which has been the home of the Murray clan since 1606, sealed by the marriage of Sir John Murray of Tullibardine to Dorothea Stewart, heiress to the Earls of Atholl, and has been the seat of the ancient name for over 400 years.
The current Duke of Atholl, Bruce Murray, is Chief of the Murray clan and still retains the unique honour of being head of Europe’s only legal private army, the Atholl Highlanders.
Kate Hannah, marketing manager for Blair Castle, commented: “We really wanted to mark Scotland’s Year of Homecoming in a novel and unique way, and what better way to do it than invite members of the clan, from all over the world, to visit their family seat. We want them to feel welcome when they visit so, as long as they have photographic identification that they are a Murray, then we’ll be happy to show them round their ancestral home.”
Murray is one of the top 100 most common surnames in the UK, currently ranking 68th, and ranks 123rd most common surname in the USA, as well as 53rd most common surname in Australia.
Murrays visiting the castle will be asked to show photographic identification that their surname is Murray before gaining access and, while the invitation is currently only being extended throughout April, if it proves popular the Castle may extend it for the rest of the season.
Kate commented: “Perhaps the most famous Murray in the world at the moment is Andy Murray, and we’d be delighted if he took us up on our offer. But we know there are many thousands of Murrays from all over the world who will be interested in the history of their clan name and where better to find out about it, than at its home.”
Blair Castle is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations, with 700 years of history spanning 30 rooms, and has played a role in many major figures’ lives including Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria.
This year the Castle has also revealed a new Family at War exhibition which displays various artefacts and information about the individual family members during the war, including personal letters, photos and documents.
Visitors to Blair Castle will be able to view the exhibition as part of their Castle Tour. Murrays can, of course, visit free of charge.
I am a Murray descendent. My great grandmother was Mae Murray. My surname as you can see is not Murray. I’ve traced my Murray ancestry back to Freskin and beyond.So because I do not have the Murray surname exclude me from your offer? I may not have the Murray surname but I do have the Murray blood!! And proud of it!
Hi Ada, that’s a good point. I would hope that if you were able to provide sufficient evidence they would surely let you in.
I trace my lineage back through Northern Ireland, and those that sided with Bonney Prince Charlie’s losing attempt to regain the throne (according to family lore). I am visiting my wife’s family near London next year, could I still secure entry to the castle. I desire to pay homage to my clans seat, and a epresentative of the Duke. I am a history teacher from California, and a proud Scotsman! Is this possible?
Kia ora, I am a New Zealander and a descendant of John Alfred borrowdale Murray, who married our ancestor Kataraina Te Koni. I trace back to John through my mothers father Richard peters. We have a complete whakapapa(family tree) showing where we all connect to him. All of us that descend from John in New Zealand have a facebook page and also a photo of them both together.
https://web.facebook.com/groups/333064520177/10150963279925178/?notif_t=like¬if_id=1461051630363307
We would very much like to know more about our ancestor and very much like to visit one day. My question is, is anyone aware of us that connect to your family tree? does this exclude all of us murrays In NZ as well. Appreciate your view and any information.
Hello I am a Moray descendent.
I am grandson of DelmerLee Murray,great grandson of Wilie Lee Murray. Can someone help me find out where I came from?
My great,great great {not sure how many) mother was a cousin to lord George murray, who assisted bonnie prince Charlie near inverness. she married a Thomas forbes. chidren they had included a Thomas and Christian murray.
it has been some time since I have gone back into the family history and am about to start following up.
if anyone is aware of any links to this family, I would be interested in your information that you may have. This family came from a family of crofters near the muir of ord. thank you.
I am so glad I found this website! I have been researching my ancestry and amazed at what I have found! So far, I have found all of my direct-line Murray ancestors and have since traveled back as far as 700AD I am planning a trip to Scotland and want to make sure that I find out as much as I can about my ancestors. I plan to visit Blair Castle, Dunkeld Cathedral, Perth, and a few others. Do you have any suggestions on places I might see that isn’t just a popular tourist location?
Wow, amazing things will be visiting one day soon all the way from New Zealand. . Wish I had known about this I would have gone
I am a descendant of Norman Murray, who emigrated from the Isle of Lewis to Canada in @1852. Are the Lewis Murrays members of the Murrays of Atholl?
My Grandfather is a Murray. I have the proof on my legal birth certificate as it is my Mother’s Maiden name.
I hope Blair Castle holds another Murray event such as this! Even still, I will be in Paris next year, so I will have to visit!
Hello, my name is Corinne MURRAY my story is a bit particular. I was born in France in Evreux. All I know about my roots is that my great great grand father Sir MURRAY came to france in the last 1800 to help built the railroads in France. I think he was an engineer (or I suppose he was). During his stay in France he met my great great grand mother and they had a baby Alphonse MURRAY born around 1898(that I can check) whom Sir MURRAY recognized and went back to scotland after the railroads start in France. Alphonse had 2 mariages and several childrens of which my grand father Jacques MURRAY born nov 20, 1919 who died in 2004. We know nothing about our history as my great great grand mother kept the secret of her mysterious lover that came from scotland. She never wanted to get maried after he left and raised her child giving him all personal instructions and he ended up as a translator in the second world war near De Gaulle. I have no documents except from the french administration. I am planning to come to scotland for the first time in my life next may for sure this will be a very special trip for me as all my family is gone. If ever you have further news for me of whom is Sir MURRAY, I would surely be pleased to learn more about my clan. Thank you
My name is Kenneth Thomas Murray and I have traced my lineage back to Peter Murray, born in Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland. He had a son, John Piper Murray who was born in 1777 in Rogart, Sutherland, Scotland. John Piper Murray later emigrated from Scotland to Ontario, Canada. Any information you may be able to provide concerning Peter Murray’s antecedents would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Ken
Hello my grandmother was Bernadine Murray , her tree goes straight back to William Freskin De Murray. B1139 Duffus ,Moray, Scotland D.1205 Duffus ,Moray,Scotland. Who’s great great grandson Andrew Murray married Christina Brus sister of Robert De Bruce
Just read this . My Grandmother on my Fathers side name was Maxine Murray, however she never talked about our heritage although I knew it was Scottish and in the highlands. I had seen our clans Crest ( or Coat of Arms not sure which) in her house. Never even knew the importance of Clan Murray until I was visiting there in 2001. Went on the castles tour and when we came upon the Crest ( and its saying underneath, words all starting with f) I almost fainted. I was amazed. I now reside in California
loved reading this, and I’m a true Murray and proud of the name.
Hi, are there any descendants of William Hugh Murray of Geanies? I have a old book that has his crest glued inside the front cover. Looking for interested relatives.
My husband’s father, George Murray, came to the USA sometime in the mid 1940’s from Paisley Scotland. I’m eager to help my husband find out more about his ancestors. I need direction as to where I should start and if/when we come to Scotland, where should we stay? Thank you in advance for your dedication in reuniting Murray family members.
My family is from the Murray lineage Crowders and Royals. Also Crump. Would love to visit with the Chattahoochee clan of Murray’s. Might we all get a pass?