Scotland's Glamis Castle:
Romantic Day Trip, Castle Wedding Venue, and Haunted House

There is a dignified air about this Baronial castle, as though the structure itself somehow realizes that a queen was raised within its walls. Home to each successive Earl of Strathmore since 1372, the young Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later to be known as the Queen Mother, grew to love the legends linked to her childhood home.

The future queen would weave her happiest moments into the history of this former hunting lodge, spending her first days as a young bride and later giving birth to her second daughter, Princess Margaret, within its confines.

Spooky Tales

In spite of the happy moments that the Queen Mother experienced in this castle, Glamis has a long history as a haunted house. The most famous haunted tales of Glamis are that of "The Grey Lady," a woman wrongly accused of witchcraft whose spirit still roams the halls, and that of Earl Beardie, who is said to be eternally locked in a game of cards with the Devil in a sealed-off room.

The imposing Glamis Castle can be seen on guided tours from April through December; you can also plan an elegant wedding in these historic halls.

The grounds of Glamis include gardens and many walking trails perfect for romantic walks.

Planning a Glamis Wedding

Known as an avid gardener, the Queen Mother's memory lives on in the sun-soaked Italian gardens where the seeds of her appreciation for botanical beauty were planted. Nuptials can be held in this area among a rainbow of flowers, yews, and decorative gazebos, while those who wish to wed indoors may do so at Glamis Kirk or in the castle's 16th century kitchens.

Wedding parties have the exclusive use of the venue from January through March, while public rooms are available after 7PM from April through December (excluding Christmas.) Although the wedding sites have a capacity of 90 guests, more may be invited if a marquee is erected on the grounds. The venue offers the services of both an on-site bridal consultant and on-site catering.

Nearby Attractions

Attractions are plentiful in the surrounding area, including Kirriemuir, the childhood home of "Peter Pan" author J M Barrie, which is a 15-minute drive from the castle, and Scone Palace, Blair Castle and Stirling Castle, all of which are less than one hour away.

Castleton House Hotel, an elegant, six-bedroom country home located three miles from Glamis Castle, provides the perfect romantic retreat for newlyweds, while wedding guests can lodge in the spacious, three-story Airlie Arms Hotel, four miles from the castle.

For More Information:

• Estates Office, Glamis, by Forfa, Angus DD8 1RJ Scotland
• Telephone: +44 (0) 1307 840393
• visit www.glamis-castle.co.uk