"To join the Atholl Highlanders, an invitation must be made from the Duke, who specially selects people with ties to the estate or the local area."
https://blair-castle.co.uk/scottish-...ade-gathering/
The 10th Duke of Atholl died on 27th February 1996. His funeral was held in the ballroom of Blair Castle. After the service, six Highlanders acted as pallbearers, others provided the carriage party and lined the route to the Castle graveyard at Old Blair.
It was feared that the regiment would be disbanded following the 10th Duke’s death in 1996, until his successor, JOHN MURRAY, 11TH DUKE OF ATHOLL, wrote to the estate trustees accepting an invitation to continue his traditional role.