Glamis

Adding to our tour of Scottish castles – J and I went to Glamis today.  I had originally had the idea of going to Drum Castle as well, but this is another hour further up the road and I didn’t feel we could do justice to both of them in one day.  I am glad we didn’t because Glamis is magnificent – by far the best castle I have been to of late (and that includes Stirling where I was last year).

Unfortunately, the interior of the castle is by guided tour only – and although the tour was good, we both felt that we didn’t get enough time to look at everything properly.  That was until we got into the Exhibition Room at the end where your were allowed to look at your leisure.  There were some real gems, with my favourite being this letter

written by the late Queen to her grandfather.

Then we went round the gardens.  The kitchen garden was fabulous – there were loads of trained trees against a south facing wall – the fact there were no peaches unfortunately cements me in the conviction that you can’t grow them outside in Scotland.

There were bees everywhere – and then we found the hive.

The old greenhouses were in a state of ruin and awaiting renovation – but all the old plants were in situ.  The “Picture This” plant app identified vines, angelica and (bizarrely) a Kiwi fruit tree.

The Italian gardens were something else as well – I particularly loved the view to the castle through the trees.

Finally we went on the Macbeth trail and saw the witches (amongst other carved characters from the play).

There is a further picture showing me as a fourth putative witch but it is staying a secret from the internet.

All in all a very good day.  Even J enjoyed himself.