20140425 Glamis Castle (I'm into The Firm)

Our day to head north from St. Andrews is foggy and rainy.

We stopped to see Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. For over 600 years it has been the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, but what it’s best known for now is that is was the childhood home of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who died in 2011, and where the late Princess Margaret, the queen’s sister, was born. (Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was a daughter of the Earl, and got promoted to queen when Edward VII abdicated).

The present Earl makes good use of the place – it’s available, in part or whole, for weddings, specials events, and corporate use, is heavily promoted for such, and even for vacation stays. In addition to tours, he also earns income from the gift shop and restaurant. The big white tent was part of an occasion that was actually closing the entire place to the public the next day.

Lots of photos of royals at Glamis inside the exhibition hall.

No photos allowed inside, so I borrowed a few from the web:

Prominently displayed was a photo of a G-8 wives visit.  I recognize Laura Bush and Cherie Blair, of course, but also found it interesting that the now-invisible Mrs. Putin is also in the picture.

Gardens are extensive and a good walk in all directions.

Allen fell in love with the huge trees.

Love this, although have since learned bunnies overrun some areas of Scotland, and do a great deal of damage to gardens everywhere.  No wonder Mr. McGregor had it in for Peter Rabbit.

Memorial to Princess Margaret.

 The huge walled kitchen garden was let go decades ago and turned into sheep meadow.  For the past ten years, the present Earl has worked on restoring it, and it’s spectacular, even this early in the year.

Huge banks of rhododendrons

Some friendly faces