Damaged buildings at an iconic Scots castle ravaged by fire earlier this year are to be restored under newly-proposed plans. The clock tower at 13th century Blair Castle in highland Perthshire was hit by fire on March 10, leaving the structure exposed to the elements after its pitched roof was badly damaged.

Atholl Estates, which runs the castle, praised the actions of firefighters at the time which stopped the blaze from having catastrophic consequences. Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Atholl and dates back around 740 years. It is the base for Europe's only private army - the duke's own Atholl Highlanders.