Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle [ ɡlɑ ː mz ] is a castle near the village of Glamis in Angus, Scotland. It has been the residence of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, who have made it to the public. In contrast to many other Scottish castles, it is not operated by the National Trust for Scotland. Elizabeth Bowes -Lyon, better known as the " Queen Mum ", spent her childhood, and her daughter Princess Margaret was born here. A picture of the castle is depicted on the ten- pound note of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Of note are the ceiling paintings of the interiors of Glamis Castle, which are preserved in great detail and good. Together with those of castles Muchalls Castle and Craigievar House as they are considered the finest in Scotland.
The castle is reflected in numerous legends and has, you want to local legends believe, more dark secrets than any other castle in the United Kingdom. In literature it was mentioned. In William Shakespeare's play Macbeth Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
Location
Glamis is located about 20 kilometers from the North Sea between rolling hills. This part of Scotland is known for its early Pictish culture as well as several events in the Middle Ages. It is located very close to the Rock of Eassie, one of the best examples of early Pictish stone. To the south lies Scone Palace, the historic crowning place of Scottish kings. About 30 kilometers north lies Dunnottar Castle.
The grounds of the castle occupy an area of 5,700 hectares ( 14,000 acres) and adjacent to lush gardens and walkways to include agricultural land, including for wood and cattle. By the property two rivers, one of which is known as Glamis Burn. An arboretum, located at Glamis Burn, holds many rare tree species from around the world, many of which are several hundred years old. Even birds and other small wildlife found in the area.
In the castle there is a tea room, and part of the gardens and the property are open to the public. Glamis Castle can also be used for dinners and weddings.
Legends and fairy tales
The most famous legend about the castle is the monster of Glamis, a hideously deformed child who was born in the family Bowes -Lyon. According to legend, the monster was his life long imprisoned in the castle and walled up his room after his death. Another monster to live in Loch Calder near the castle.
An old story tells that once, have hung towels from the windows of each room guests who stayed at Glamis Castle, to find the walled area of the monster. When she then looked at the castle from the outside, they noticed that a number of windows hung no towel.
Maybe the monster legend was inspired by the true story of the Ogilvie family. Is the bone room Somewhere in the almost five -meter-thick walls. This once had the Ogilvies protection from their enemies, the Lindsay's, sought, but were betrayed and immured alive.
According to the official website of the castle of King Malcolm II was mortally wounded in 1034 in a close battle and brought to a royal hunting lodge, which stood on the site of today's castle, where Malcolm II also died.
There is a small chapel in the castle, which has 46 seats. The leaders in the castle to tell visitors that a seat in the chapel is always reserved for the "Grey Lady", a spirit that haunts the castle. According to tourist guides, the chapel is still used regularly by the Bowes-Lyon family. Still, no one is allowed to sit in this place.
The late Sir David Bowes -Lyon reportedly saw a young woman at one of the windows of the castle, while he made a late walk on the lawn of the property. According to reports, he saw the girl, as she grabbed at the bars of a window, while she looked out absently into the night. He wanted to address just as suddenly disappeared, as if she had someone ripped away from the window.
Earl Beardie was a guest at Glamis Castle. One night, he was drunk, he wanted to play dice. Since the Sabbath was, his hosts refused him this wish. Lord Beardie was so furious that he cried, he would play with the devil himself. Then a stranger appeared at the castle, and asked if Lord Beardie wanted to roll the dice, and they began to play in one of the rooms. Later servant heard screams and curses from the room. One of the servants peered through the keyhole, and it is reported that a beam of light shone through the keyhole, blinding him. The stranger disappeared. Many visitors reported that they had heard cries and the rattle of dice, and say not a few, that the Earl still playing dice with the devil for his soul.