Glamis Castle

Sightseeing attraction | Forfar | Scotland | United Kingdom

Historical landmarks in Scotland

Glamis Castle in Forfar, Scotland, is one of the most famous and impressive castles in the country. It is located in the picturesque region of the Angus Hills and is renowned for both its stunning architecture and rich history. The castle, which has been owned by the Lyon family for over 600 years, has a strong connection to Scottish and British aristocratic history and is now a significant cultural heritage of Scotland.

Visit castles and palaces in Scotland

The castle building itself is a magnificent example of Scottish castle architecture and combines various architectural styles added over the centuries. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the building has undergone several extensions and renovations over time, shaping its current appearance. Particularly striking is the castle tower, which rises majestically above the impressive building. The battlements, towers, and facades of the castle give the building a feudal-romantic character that harmonizes with the extensive landscape garden and adjacent forest area.

Gardens around Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle has gained important historical significance over the centuries and is closely linked to the Scottish royal family. It was the birthplace of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the future Queen Mother and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. This royal connection makes the castle a special historical site and a symbol of the British monarchy. The influence of the Bowes-Lyon family on the castle and its history is still palpable today and is presented in various exhibitions and collections within the castle.

Mystical stories about Glamis Castle

In addition to its royal connection, Glamis Castle also has a number of legendary and mystical stories surrounding it. One of the most famous stories is about the castle's curse-laden reputation. It is said that the castle is haunted by ghosts and is connected to mystical events and cursed secrets. These legends contribute to the fascinating and mysterious character of the castle and attract visitors who want to learn more about the ghost stories and historical mysteries.

Historical tours at Glamis Castle

Inside the castle, visitors will find a magnificent collection of antique furniture, portraits, and historical artifacts documenting the history of the castle and its owners. Of particular note is the grand dining room, adorned with artistic wall decorations and historical furniture reflecting the opulent style of Scottish aristocracy. In the various rooms of the castle, visitors can also learn more about the Lyon family's history and their role in Scotland's history.

The gardens surrounding Glamis Castle are as impressive as the castle itself. The expansive gardens and woodland areas offer visitors numerous hiking trails and leisurely walking routes, creating a relaxing atmosphere and providing views of the imposing castle building and the surrounding landscape. Particularly in spring and summer, the gardens bloom with a variety of plants and flowers that complement the magnificent architecture of the castle. The hillside garden and well-maintained flower beds are ideal for a leisurely stroll and offer numerous photogenic spots.

Glamis Castle is also a lively cultural venue used for various events. Regular highlights include historical tours where visitors can learn more about the castle's history, as well as festivals, theater performances, and concerts held in the castle's premises or in the gardens. These cultural events help maintain the castle as a vibrant and diverse cultural space, making it a popular destination for visitors of all ages.

Contact details

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Phone

Address
DD8 1RJ Forfar

Map view

Reviews

5331 Reviews

Otec Riju
04.03.2025

Garden is OK. Castle is Boring.
M
01.03.2025

Really enjoyed the tour everything was so interesting and the guides were lovely
Ali Tomić
28.02.2025

Dvorac se nalazi u blizini sela Glamis, oko 10 kilometara zapadno od Forfara. Dvorac je poznat po tome što se radnja Sheakspearovog ’’Macbeth’’-a odigrava u njemu. Među najstarijim i najukletijim dijelovima dvorca je Duncanova dvorana, koja podsjeća na pogubljenje Kralja Duncana od strane Macbetha. Iako je stvarno mijesto ubistva u blizini Elgina, ovo je tradicionalna Shakespearova scena zločina.
Serena Cavallari
28.02.2025

A beautiful, historic place to visit, the birthplace of the late Princess Margaret is a well worth visiting location for families, with its gorgeous gardens and a nice restaurant area. It’s a place I very often enjoy visiting with my toddler, and as a Scottish historical location it doesn’t disappoint, with its ghosts stories it offers guided tours of the incredible interiors that are well worth the ticket price. You can see the bedrooms where Queen Elisabeth and Princess Margaret used to sleep when visiting, and a small exhibition at the end of the tour shows a sweet collection of letters that the children wrote to their grandparents. It is one of my favourite castle really!
frank duchemin
16.02.2025

Visite guidée d'un château royal et de son magnifique et mystérieux parc.
Kay
10.01.2025

Stunning castle. Highly recommend going a walk down in the dead of winter as it was so peaceful while it's shut.
Lily Johnston
06.01.2025

We visited the grounds of Glamis Castle and also had lunch in the restaurant. I had the chicken fillets and the portion was huge! They were absolutely delicious. I did have a cake after but they were quite pricey for what they were.
Mark Dale
21.12.2024

Christmas Market was poor, cafe was great, really reasonably priced and great tasting food, staff are great
Eric Rabinowitz
16.12.2024

Historic and beautiful.
catherine Coe
09.12.2024

Glamis Castle is beautiful and, as is the gardens, went for the Christmas market, I was a bit disappointed with it didn't feel very festive, and many of the goods were a bit expensive, ticket price included garden tour but could not go to the gardens as it was dark, opening hours were from 16.00 hrs
Ethne Brown
09.12.2024

Not allowed to take photos. Opportunity lost to promote on social media. Very cold. Nice cafe. Clean toilets. It's not the time of year to walk in the gardens, i.e., December.
How it is Liz
06.10.2024

I was amazed to see Glamis Castle while in Scotland! This castle has over 650 years of history haunting inside its walls! I love the fact that this castle is known to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's Macbeth! It's also the childhood home of the Queen Mum and birthplace of Princess Margaret. What I didn't know was all the ghost stories attached!! The stories are creepy but cool to hear. I have to say as fun as it was to visit, I wouldn't want to spend the night there! The gift shop has a huge selection of items ranging from whiskey to souvenirs and everything in between! We had a pre-arranged lunch of tea and sandwiches waiting for us when we arrived. They reminded me at first of a little school lunch, but I was surprised to taste how good they all were! Seafood, vegetarian, and meat options were all fantastic! Tickets can be purchased in advance. No photos allowed inside. Gardens are beautiful! There is so much to see! Great day trip only a few hours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland!
barry stone
06.12.2024

Very interesting history. Planned in advance for the trip because of travelling on public transport
Derek Barker
04.12.2024

Wonderful piece of history plenty to see
Isabel Braga
03.12.2024

Lindíssimo, paisagens belíssimas ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Scott Gwin
02.12.2024

Beautiful castle and grounds. The small Christmas market is festive, and the guided tour is worth it.

 

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