(Pronounced ‘Glams’).
Okay, you got me – I realise that I wax lyrical about every stately home I’m lucky enough to visit and admit that I am somewhat of an addict. Well here goes: another stunning, beautiful, glorious, striking, marvellous stately home – easy does it Sue, take a breath and relax, pulse rate slightly high!
The Lyon family have been in residence since the 14th century and the castle oozes history from every nook and cranny. Turbulence has reigned throughout the centuries, the 14th Earl met Charles Dickens in 1869, rare 1st edition books sit safe in the library and William Shakespeare used the castle and its real-life past as his inspiration of Macbeth, conjuring thoughts of witches and ghosts, the Macbeth Trail is a must, seven wooden sculptures depicting scenes from the play are to be found in the East Woodland, but I digress.
Glamis is the epitome of a fairy tale palace with its array of turrets, towers and battlements, playing host to famous visitors such as Mary Queen of Scots to James V. Nowadays there are only guided tours around the house, and sadly we were unable to take photos of the regal reception rooms, and is still a family home with many personal portraits and keepsakes on show.
This being the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother – who was the 9th out of 10 children. She was a prankster alongside her brother David, who enjoyed playing many tricks on the family and staff. When married to the Duke of York she gave birth at the palace to her second daughter Princess Margaret – being the first royal baby to be born at Glamis since the 1600’s. What a fantastic place to grow up, with many pictures of our late great Queen Elizabeth 11 and her sister playing in and around the castle.
During WW1 the castle became a convalescent home for wounded soldiers, and during 1916 a huge fire broke out, in which the Queen Mum was instrumental and a veritable heroine in saving many treasures. Water and extensive smoke, damaged many paintings, with several rooms and the roof needing restoration.
Weddings and functions can be held at Glamis and over the summer months the grounds and gardens host many events – wander around the Kitchen and Italian gardens, whilst not forgetting the Macbeth loop. Make sure you glimpse the handsome Highland Coo’s – always up for a photo shoot. Enjoy lunch in the restaurant and browse around the Pavillion gift shop, and the scrummy ice cream is to die for. There is plenty of parking on site and I know you will have a lovely visit – do let me know your thoughts and I would love to see some of your photo’s.