The most remarkable thing about the Blair Atholl Estate in Gauteng, South Africa is the diversity of natural habitats within such a localised area. Within five minutes and looking across 600 Hectares of land, you will feel that you really could be anywhere.
Stand just north of the stone-clad clubhouse and look back at it through a screen of indigenous bush and you could be at an exclusive private bush lodge, miles from anywhere. Visit the rustic halfway house reached via its wooden walkways and decking in a cool shady glade just off the Crocodile River and you could be on the banks of a trout stream in the mountains. Walk through the meadows that flank the 10th hole, sweeping down and over the valley, framed by mountains hazy in the distance, and you could be on the Garden Route. It’s hard to believe such an undisturbed natural gem could be within striking distance of Johannesburg. Just fifteen minutes from Fourways and five from Lanseria, the horizon is a blue-green veil of distance-dappled mountains.
The vision of the Developer Robby Wray, was to integrate country living and modern convenience. From the very beginning, careful planning has placed the key components of the highest quality of life first: privacy, security and an abundance of natural surroundings. After acquiring the original Blair Atholl farm from Gary Player, several of the surrounding farms were incorporated into the new development so that the Crocodile River could run through the middle of the property and not form a boundary. The heritage of horse riding on the property has been preserved through the development of the Equestrian Centre, which offers stabling and various activities for young and old alike.
The vast expanses of concrete and tarmac, high rise buildings and noise of the city gives way to rustic roads and paths, architecture in harmony with the land and the tranquillity of the vast, blue Highveld skies. Every stand at the Blair Atholl has some unique quality, whether it’s dipping its toes in the river and surrounded by forest or up on one of the rises overlooking the expanses of the fairways and the Magaliesberg in the distance.
The golf course itself is a reflection of Gary Player’s passion for his former property and his sport. He openly admits that The Blair Atholl Golf Course is closest to his heart. Not surprisingly, this led to the course being ranked 2nd place overall in Compleat Golfer’s 2008/2009 review of South African golf courses. It also won the 2009 Golf Digest Best New Course award. The restaurant at the clubhouse also means that an exquisite meal out can be enjoyed without even leaving the estate.
For the family, the Village Green offers light meals and loads of activities with a pool, tennis courts, cricket net, jumping castle, jungle gym, heritage dolls house and large playing areas for children, a perfect place for the entire family to unwind with friends and neighbours.
Blair Atholl is within easy reach of private schools such as Heronbridge College and Pecanwood College, which are 15 minutes away.
For the body conscious, there is the Wellness Centre: where an assortment of treatments, a training pool, a gym and squash courts are available to all homeowners.
In all, the spirit of the Blair Atholl is one of balance. Balance between neighbours, between parents and children, between man and nature, between body and soul.
