Glamis Castle
is a particularly grand, large chateau-style castle, owned by the Lyon and Bowes-Lyon
family from 1372 until the present day. It has close Royal connections as Queen Elizabeth
the Queen Mother is a member of the family, and her daughter Princess Margaret was born
here.
Guided tours take one through
sumptuously furnished rooms, commencing with the dining room in a wing of 1798. The
vaulted crypt is in the original tower, and a secret chamber is said to be located here. A
minor stair leads down to the castle well. The principal, wide, turnpike dates to 1600,
and leads up to the drawing room in what was the great hall. Also vaulted, it has a
plaster ceiling and great fireplace.
The chapel has amazing painted
panels of 1688 by Jacob de Wet. These depict the saints of Christ, with St Simon wearing
glasses and Christ donning a hat! Three rooms make up the Royal Apartments. They were
converted in 1923 following the marriage of Lady Elizabeth to Prince (later King) George.
Duncan’s Hall is where Macbeth slew Duncan, according to Shakespeare. It is a plain
vault with prison off it. The Blue Room is now an exhibition room with notable family
relics, including the watch left by the Old Pretender in the castle. The coach house has
another exhibition on estate life past and present. Glamis has many ghostly legends. |
