The Castle RollsA survey of every visitable castle in the United Kingdom
4.7 / 5 · 6,207 reviews TICKETED

Glamis Castle

Angus, Scotland


Glamis Castle
Glamis Castle, further view Glamis Castle, further view

Key facts

Operator
Strathmore Estates (Earl of Strathmore)
Condition
Intact
Access
Staffed, ticketed

Pinpoint

Angus DD8 1RJ

Telephone 01307 840393

Possible Opening hours

Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.

Monday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday10:00 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.

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 · 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.

Seasonal ~late Mar-Oct plus Christmas events

“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

Further reading

Scotland's Castles cover book
Scotland's Castles

Chris Tabraham

Find it on Amazon
The Castles of Scotland cover book
The Castles of Scotland

Martin Coventry

Find it on Amazon
book
Castles of the Clans

Martin Coventry

Find it on Amazon