Glamis – Hosting Royalty
Located near the town of Forfar in Angus is the little village of Glamis, beautifully set in the Strathmore valley. This quaint village stands in an area steeped in fascinating history. Its greatest attraction, which draws visitors from far and wide, is Glamis Castle.
Scotland’s Glamis Castle is an amazing structure with a long and intriguing past. This castle has played a major role in the royal family for many years. Dating back to the 1600s, Glamis Castle was the birthplace of Princess Margaret and also the residence of the late Queen Mother. Perhaps you will even recognize Glamis Castle’s part in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Abounding in history, architectural wonder, royal residents and fictional tales, Glamis Castle’s sweeping towers, spires and turrets will leave you awestruck. Simply strolling through the gardens of the castle could take you an entire day. Tours of the castle are a real treat and give you great insight into the lives of its previous occupants. Interestingly, Glamis Castle is said to be amongst the most haunted buildings in all of Scotland.
The village of Glamis grew up around the castle, providing all the necessary services for its royal inhabitants. Even though it may be small, Glamis has some interesting things to see. Whilst strolling through Glamis, you will feel like you have been transported back in time as lovely cottages from the 18th century stand along the roadways. In the village you will come across an unusual stone. The village inhabitants say it is a monument dedicated to King Malcolm II. Also look out for the Glamis Mercat Cross and Glamis Pictish Stone with carvings of a cross, salmon and serpent.
Not to be missed when visiting Glamis is the Angus Folk Museum. The interesting museum spans across several cottages and the exhibits give you a good look into the everyday lives of those who lived in Glamis as well as farming activities that took place. Here you will see a number of items for butter making, weaving, harvesting, wool spinning and ploughing.
You may also wish to visit St. Fergus Kirk which was originally founded in 710 AD. A new building for the church was constructed in 1242 and later another in 1790. The structure and the furnishings inside are definitely worth seeing. Nearby is the Well of St. Fergus. This is considered a sacred area as two small streams meat with the Glamis burn hence it is a spot “where three waters meet” and hence of religious significance. So for a change of scenery and for a unique adventure, visit the village of Glamis and Glamis Castle.