Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle has at its core a massive L-plan tower house dating to the mid 15th century, probably about the time that Patrick Lyon was created Lord Glamis in 1445. Substantially reworked and extended in the 17th century and later, it remains the private residence of the Lyon family, later earls of Kinghorne. The most famous member of the family in recent years was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Parts of the castle is open to the public for a fee and it is possible to book guided tours.

In the 14th century, Glamis was held in thanage, indicating it was a royal estate. The castle sits on low lying land, and according to one account once had multiple wet ditches defending it, although there is no evidence of this today. The old tower was probably part of a complex with a courtyard, but again the massive reworking of the buildings have removed any evidence of this. The Lyon family suffered forfeiture for rebellion in the 16th century, and one laird was murdered in a street fight, and although two large wings were added prior to this date, when Patrick Lyon was made an earl in 1606, much decoration was done to record the fact. The wings were then reworked later in the 17th century and at least one rebuilt in the 18th. The Lyons were Stewart loyalists through the mid 17th and 18th century, but elected not to rise as rebels in 1745. Indeed, Glamis hosted Cumberland on his way north to Culloden. After this, the castle saw no events of national importance, and can be viewed as a country residence for the earls of Kinghorne.

Official Glamis Castle website

HES Canmore database entry