A guest post from my teenage daughter describing her visit to Glamis Castle while studying abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland.
This is a guest post by my daughter, Katie, who is currently in St. Andrews, Scotland attending a 3 week summer program at the International Summer School of Scotland.
On Wednesday afternoon, everyone in the ISSOS program was split into four groups and we each travelled to a different tourist attraction in the area. My group went to Glamis Castle, which is a 600 year old castle located about an hour away from St. Andrew’s. The castle was really cool on both the outside and inside, however, I was only allowed to take pictures on the outside.
Inside the castle we were given a 45 minute tour. Our tour guide told us that Glamis Castle is not actually a museum. It is still a home and most of the rooms that we were in are still used. One of the things that we learned was that Shakespeare’s play MacBeth was set at Glamis Castle even though the real King MacBeth didn’t have any connection to the castle. While the castle was gorgeous and very impressive, I would never actually want to live there because it’s just so massive.
Editor’s Note: Glamis Castle has been the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore for over 600 years. Besides the MacBeth connection, it is also well-known for having been the childhood home of the Queen Mother. Experienced guides lead visitors on tours of the castle from late March through late December and the gardens of the estate are also open to visitors. And for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to live in a castle even if it meant that I got lost every day!
Related Link
Spencer
I love the castles in Scotland. They are so full of character and the craftsmanship is extraordinary given the technology of the times.
Lisa
What an experience for your daughter to spend three weeks in Scotland with the summer school program! She’s right, that castle looks massive, more like a castle/boarding school by the size of it.
Nancie
When I was in Scotland I visited every castle that was on my route. I missed this one. A good reason to go back, I think 🙂
Becca@rwetheryetmom?
What an awesome experience for your daughter!!! I know you miss her though!!
The castle looked awesome – nothing like that to visit over here in the states!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Lisa Wood
That was so well written, and such a great story to read! As well as great photos. Never realised that you could visit a castle where people still lived in most of it. Was it cold inside and I wonder how much money it cost to keep it running?
Jessica
Great story! Thanks for sharing it.
InsideJourneys
I’ve heard of Glamis Castle but I didn’t know of the connection to the Queen Mother.
I admit, it’d be great to live in a castle too, especially for kids. Lots of rooms to run around in.
Lisa Goodmurphy
It’s been many years since I’ve been to Scotland and I would love to go back. I hope my daughter is taking lots of photos to make me jealous!
Lisa Goodmurphy
She seems to be having an amazing time so far – she’s on day 6!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I haven’t seen this castle either and it looks pretty amazing – definitely a good excuse for a return visit!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Becca – I think it is an amazing experience for her! I wish that I would have had opportunities such as this when I was her age.
Lisa Goodmurphy
I will find out if the castle was cold – given that she insisted on taking mostly summer clothes, I expect that she found it a bit chilly! Not sure how they heat a place like that – probably why they allow visitors to pay for a look around! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Jessica!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I hadn’t heard of the castle before so I found the history about it quite interesting!
Camels & Chocolate
Ahhh, I love that she’s living in my favorite country ever! I am taking my mom and sister there in September for their first time, and I absolutely cannot wait!
Amy @redeyefamily.wordpress.com
Hi Katie, Thanks for the great post! On your tour, did they tell you who still lives there? Maybe the relatives of the Earls of Strathmore?
Hope you have a great time!
femmefrugality
Such a great post, Katie! That’s too crazy that you’re actually touring someone’s home. I know for the places I’ve been in Europe that I’ve found the photographing the inside nix to be a common theme. Probably for good reason. Those places are so old, you wouldn’t want flash photography to be the thing that killed them. Also, if I lived there, I wouldn’t want people taking pictures of my bedroom. 😛
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters
What an incredible opportunity for your daughter! Like you, I’d live in a castle. Although I think there would be some benefits to not being able to be found. 🙂 But could you imagine if you misplaced your keys? That may be one unforgettable scavenger hunt.
Steve
It kind of makes sense that Katie wouldn’t have a “princess complex” and want to live in a giant castle.
Emma on the other hand…..
Mary @ The World Is A Book
Great story with some beautiful photos, Katie. This looks like such an interesting castle. I love European castles so I would love to visit this one of these days.
Lisa Goodmurphy
We traveled to Ireland and Scotland before we had kids and I loved both countries but haven’t been since. I’m just a wee bit jealous that Katie gets to spend 3 weeks there – she had better take lots of pictures! Have a great trip with your mom and sister – I know that you’ll take lots of great photos for me to see! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Good point – I don’t think that I’d want anyone wandering around my house taking pictures either. For one thing it would mean that we would have to be a lot tidier! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Hi Amy, Katie is a little vague on the details but I think it’s the current Earl of Strathmore who is living in the castle with his family. Thanks for your comment!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Tonya – it sounds like she is having a wonderful time! I’ve been watching Downton Abbey so I’m guessing that there would be an entire staff on hand to help me find my lost keys! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Gee, you think….
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Mary! Castles are one of my favourite things about Europe too!
Crystal Lewis
I agree, what a great opportunity for your young lady! I hope she truely enjoys her time in Scotland, it looks beautiful!! I had to join the military for an opportunity to travel, she’s a lucky gal. 🙂
Allison
What a fun adventure! It’s a beautiful castle with a romantic history. How would it be to be born into a family with its own castle?
Lisa Goodmurphy
She is indeed lucky – I hope she realizes it!
Lisa Goodmurphy
It is a beautiful castle, isn’t it? Personally, I think that it could be lovely at times to be born into such a family but that it could also be quite a burden to bear.