The world has turned full circle for the man charged with enhancing Glamis Castle’s reputation as one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions.
Angus man Tommy Baxter has settled into the general manager’s chair at the family seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne more than three decades after he walked visitors through the ancient stone corridors as an enthusiastic teenage tour guide.
Those decades have not dimmed the 53-year-old’s love affair with the landmark and Mr Baxter plans to use years of experience as a London stage impresario to create a new sense of theatre for the 100,000 global guests who flock annually to the Angus attraction.
Departure from Angus for London in 1984 saw Mr Baxter work initially in the box office of Starlight Express.
However, the Glamis connection helped pave the way for a journey through the theatre world that took him to the position of general manager of the Adelphi Theatre company.
“When I was going for jobs the conversation always seemed to work round to the mention of Glamis Castle on the CV, so there is no doubt that my time here helped me progress my career,” he said.
Almost a decade ago after the “full-on” life of the West End, Mr Baxter and his partner moved back to Scotland to take over the Victoria Restaurant at Dinnet, before the Glamis door reopened.
He said: “I came to work here as a guide in the late ’70s and became assistant to the castle administrator, the late Colonel David Lloyd-Jones, who sadly died very recently.
“I’m delighted to be back at Glamis. It is a wonderful place and I feel I have come full circle. The business of Glamis has changed and the visitor demographic has changed but at the end of the day, it’s all theatre and you are presenting the story of Glamis in the same way as you would present a big show.
“We’ll add a bit of colour into our events and tours it’s education through entertainment and that’s what I understand.
“Although the family have been here for over 600 years it is about making it a new experience for visitors.”
A 2015 season highlight at Glamis Castle will see the new manager welcome an old friend to Angus.
After an absence of two years, the Glamis Prom will return on July 18 with internationally-renowned performer Elaine Paige as the headline act.
The Evita star announced her retirement from touring last year to concentrate on single performances and in a coup for Glamis will be taking to the stage with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the open-air summer spectacular.
“I know Elaine well. Of all the Norma Desmonds in Sunset Boulevard in my time at the Adelphi, she was my favourite,” said Mr Baxter.
The new season will see Glamis make a return to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and a production of the Jungle Book in the castle’s walled garden and performances of Love Labour’s Lost and Jane Austen’s Emma are also on the programme.