Glamis Castle in Angus is one of Scotland's most romantically beautiful castles and the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. The castle is also the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth and is reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in Britain. The castle features magnificent state rooms and is set within extensive parkland.
Glamis Castle in Angus is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and one of Scotland's most richly furnished occupied castles. The tower house, with its cluster of turrets and conical roofs, is recognisable as a quintessential fairy-tale castle silhouette. Royal connections span centuries — the Queen Mother was raised here as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, and Princess Margaret was born here in 1930. The interior includes the Royal Apartments used by the Queen Mother, the magnificent Drawing Room with 17th-century panelled ceiling, the Billiard Room, the chapel with painted ceiling panels, and Duncan's Hall, part of the original 14th-century tower. Shakespeare's Macbeth is set at Glamis, though the historical King Macbeth lived in the 11th century, long before the current structure was built. Guided tours are the only means of accessing the interior; they run throughout the day and are led by informed staff who recount the castle's history including its famous ghost stories — Glamis is regarded as one of the most haunted castles in Scotland. The castle grounds include the Italian Garden, the Dutch Garden, and extensive parkland with ancient oaks. The castle is open to visitors from April to October.
Highlights
- State rooms
- Royal apartments
- Chapel
- Castle grounds
- Italian Garden
Tips for visiting
- Guided tours run throughout the day and are highly recommended for historical context.
When to visit
Spring and early summer (April to June) offer the castle at its most photogenic, with the formal gardens in flower and good light on the towers. The castle is open only April to October; mid-week visits outside July and August have the shortest guided tour queues.
Accessibility
The castle has some wheelchair access to the ground floor areas and the formal gardens. Guided tour routes involve stairways and narrow passageways that are not suitable for all mobility levels. Visitors with mobility requirements are encouraged to contact the castle in advance.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to visit Glamis Castle without a guided tour?
No, the castle interior is accessible only through guided tours. Tours run throughout the day during the open season (April to October) and last approximately 50 minutes. The grounds can be explored independently.
Is Glamis Castle the castle in Shakespeare's Macbeth?
Shakespeare set the murder of King Duncan at Glamis in Macbeth, and King Macbeth was historically Thane of Glamis. However, the building visible today dates from the 17th century — the historical Macbeth lived in the 11th century, long before the current structure existed.
Is Glamis Castle haunted?
The castle has a strong reputation as one of Scotland's most haunted buildings, with stories of the Monster of Glamis, the Grey Lady, and other supernatural presences. The castle's centuries of history and its atmospheric interiors make it genuinely striking regardless of beliefs about the supernatural.