Glamis Castle
Angus, Scotland
Photo: Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Ian Robinson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roozitaa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Dundee, 11.4 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Seasonal ~late Mar-Oct plus Christmas events
Pinpoint
Angus DD8 1RJ
Telephone 01307 840393
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
The childhood home of the Queen Mother and legendary, if historically dubious, setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth, still lived in by the Strathmore family and run as a seasonal visitor attraction from late March to October, plus Christmas events. The interiors reviewers describe as looking much as they did in the early 1900s, and the guided tour takes in both the castle and its Italian garden.
At a glance
Who to know
Shakespeare · the castle is the legendary setting for his play Macbeth
Worth the trip
The guided tour itself - reviewers consistently name individual guides, among them Ann, Lynne, and gatehouse host Jim, as the reason the visit stands out from other stately homes.
Before you go
Garden access sometimes goes unchecked at the gate even with a paid ticket, so don't assume you need to buy in for a garden-only stroll - and visiting outside peak season gets you a noticeably less rushed tour, according to reviewers.
What visitors say
Glamis Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 6,207 Google reviews
Visitors consistently praise Glamis Castle's guided tours as informative and its gift shop and restaurant as high quality, with several also enjoying the woodland walks and highland cows in the grounds.
One reviewer's only criticism was that the tour felt a bit rushed through certain rooms due to groups queuing behind them, though this didn't overshadow an otherwise well-liked visit.
“A stunning historic castle with breathtaking architecture and beautifully maintained gardens. The guided tour was very informative, giving a glimpse into royal history and fascinating stories. A must-visit for anyone…”- Subhadeep BBanerjee, visitor review
Getting in - what Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore) says
Blue Badge car park beside Pavilion Shop. Ground floor step-free including Coach House. Manual wheelchairs available to borrow (subject to availability). Accessible restroom near Pavilion Shop. Restaurant accessible via ramp. Castle tours involve several staircases (including 42-step staircase), uneven surfaces (flagstones, rugs, carpets), and no lift access to upper floors. Italian and Kitchen Ga
Taken from Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore)’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Walks at Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“There was a play park for kids, Highland cows, gardens which will be lovely in bloom, they were all quite sparse today, fantastic woodland walk, italian garden was lovely.”- Lou C, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
Weddings at Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle is on our wedding roll because Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore) mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in Scotland, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Robert II (granted to Sir John Lyon) · 1372 (grant); largely 17th century rebuild
Granted to Sir John Lyon in 1372 by King Robert II, Glamis remained the Lyon family seat for over six centuries. The present building was largely rebuilt in the 17th century, becoming the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and gaining enduring fame from Shakespeare's Macbeth, though the historical king had no connection to the castle.
Drawn from Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore)'s own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Guided tours
- “As was the tour guide Lynne..she was excellent and we did not feel rushed at all but we were visiting at a quieter time of year.” - Julie MacSwan
- Facilities
- “The gift shop is very lovely - not only you can find the regular souvenirs, but also some antiques which is extra special 😊” - Anželika Torovec
Common questions about Glamis Castle
Where is Glamis Castle?
Glamis Castle is in Angus, Scotland, at Angus DD8 1RJ.
Do you need a ticket to visit Glamis Castle?
Yes - Glamis Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Are there walks at Glamis Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “There was a play park for kids, Highland cows, gardens which will be lovely in bloom, they were all quite sparse today, fantastic woodland walk, italian garden was lovely.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Glamis Castle?
The guided tour itself - reviewers consistently name individual guides, among them Ann, Lynne, and gatehouse host Jim, as the reason the visit stands out from other stately homes.
Is Glamis Castle a ruin or still intact?
Glamis Castle is largely intact - Seasonal ~late Mar-Oct plus Christmas events.
