Glamis Castle — Attraction in Great Britain

The castle has witnessed over 1000 years of history and Is situated in the heart of the county of Angus. It Is the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, inspiration for Shakespeare's Macbeth and childhood home of the former QEII, Queen Mother. We visited Glamis Castle on its annual Open Day event. The approach to the castle Is stunning and to the left the stalls and activities for the open day were all up and running. You can buy tickets for many of the years events online which saves entry time. There were bouncy castles, bungee jumping, segways, playground equipment, mini archery and garden tours in tractor trailer available. The restaurant was very busy but the delivery of meals was very efficient, within 30 minutes, so you just talk with other diners or use the free wifi. We had two types of baked potato and one veggie pasta. All very good and reasonably priced compared to prices charged at mobile food stalls experienced this year at other events. The castle tour was very popular and as we had not booked online we had an hour wait sitting in the sun drinking a coffee and hot chocolate. The tour guide had many fine stories about the history of the building and the people who have lived there. These were very much enjoyed by us Scots and tourists alike. The furniture, fixtures and fittings, wall hanging paintings, armour, toys, tapestries, roof paintings were all of interest. Much historical furniture had been taken or destroyed in the past during the castles checkered existence. However we really enjoyed looking at the craftsmanship in all corners of each room and up on the ceilings, especially in the chapel. My personal favourite room was the dining room with its huge table adorned with the tableware and cutlery. The stunning model of a tall ship in silver was the centrepiece. Wonderful craftsmanship. The gift shop Is stocked with all manner of memorabilia to purchase as a reminder of your visit or to give as gifts. There are vintage injects for sale up on the second floor. Many of Gen Z would struggle to guess what these items were used for 😊 The interior tour of the rooms Is not suitable for anyone in a wheelchair or who has difficulty managing lots of steps. The only disappointment about the tour Is that no photography Is allowed during the tour around the castle interior. Given the costs of the tour, this was not taken well by everyone and my only recommendation would be for this policy to be revised to allow it.

These days you can search online and find interior photos for sale from companies like shutterstock but the prices charged are horrific if you want a print. Better take a screenshot and use your imagination or AI……You can also find one drone video on YT which Is free to view. My highlight was definitely the castle building itself, I just love the massively thick stone walls, the tower, the carvings in...

Glamis Castle, nestled in the Angus countryside of Scotland, is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends rich history, architectural grandeur, and natural beauty. As the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372, the castle boasts a storied past, including being the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret in 1930.  

🏰 Architectural Splendor

Approaching Glamis Castle, visitors are greeted by a majestic façade featuring a central clock tower flanked by turrets and spires, epitomizing Scottish baronial architecture. The castle’s interiors are equally impressive, with guided tours offering insights into opulent rooms adorned with period furnishings, art collections, and historical artifacts. Notably, the castle has been recognized for offering the best castle experience in the UK by visitors from North America for five consecutive years.  

🌳 Gardens and Grounds

Beyond the castle walls, the expansive grounds encompass beautifully maintained gardens, including the Italian Garden and the Nature Trail. Visitors can explore the Kitchen Garden, walk the atmospheric Macbeth Loop, or simply enjoy the serene landscapes dotted with ancient trees and vibrant flora. 

🎟️ Visitor Experience

Glamis Castle offers a range of ticket options, including guided tours of the castle and access to the gardens and grounds. The castle is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the tourist season, providing ample time to immerse oneself in its offerings.  

🍽️ Amenities

For refreshments, the Castle Kitchen serves a variety of meals and snacks, allowing visitors to dine in a historic setting. Additionally, the Pavilion Gift Shop offers a selection of souvenirs, local crafts, and gifts to commemorate your visit.  

📝 Final Thoughts

Glamis Castle stands as a testament to Scotland’s rich heritage, offering a comprehensive experience that encompasses history, architecture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture aficionado, or nature lover, a visit to Glamis Castle promises a memorable journey through time.

For more information or to plan your visit, you can explore their official website: Glamis Castle

If you need assistance with directions, accommodations, or planning activities around Glamis Castle, feel...

Live locally and have brought guests several times over the years to show them a Scottish Castle, but this is my last time. Getting too expensive, far too busy and over the years my mobility constraints have limited my participation, so now I just drive, and try to get a seat in the very poorly organized restaurant to wait on our guests after their tour is finished. Experience today is the last straw though, forced to stand in a queue for far too long just to order something, then unable to get a seat because of tour bus hordes choking the restaurant completely, so I just gave up and walked away. I tried to ‘reserve’ a table by putting cutlery on it, whilst I waited in the long queue, but other visitors just grabbed it because it looked set up! Absolutely not the visitors fault of course, entirely the responsibility of castle management, who don’t cater properly for the huge numbers they take a not insignificant fee from. We paid £70 for 4 guests, but I felt like an unwanted nuisance trying to wait for them in a severely overcrowded restaurant which provided zero assistance for someone with my restrictions. Can only conclude they don’t need / want my support, so in future they won’t be getting it! It’s easy to fix of course…. Provide enough seats and tables to cater for maximum flow through, extend the restaurant and limit overall bookings to match. Massively reduce the time it takes to serve customers - take their order, issue a table flag then deliver from the kitchen, it should be minutes, not half an hour! And/or add one or two extra cashier tills to handle high volumes when necessary. Garden centers everywhere do this coffee shop thing so much better, so go learn from them, it’s really not very complicated! Treat your guests as an asset you want to see more than once, not the other way around! Not an enjoyable experience which unfortunately leaves one feeling like you’re being tolerated rather...