The jewel in the Angus tourism crown welcomed a rare motoring gem down its sweeping drive yesterday.
On a special birthday tour of Scotland, a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster stopped off at Glamis Castle and was welcomed to the landmark by a guard of honour made up of vintage vehicles from the Earl of Strathmore’s personal collection.
The earl’s son, Lord Glamis, was also there to greet German journalist and Porsche expert, Lena Siep, who has revelled in Scotland’s scenery from behind the wheel of the car, and said the Angus landmark was a highlight of its 60th birthday tour.
“This car is one of only three right-hand drive Speedsters which were imported to the UK and was the actual car from the Earl’s Court London motor show in 1955,” said Lena of the Jersey-based machine, worth around half a million pounds.
“I think this car fits Scotland beautifully. We started in Loch Lomond and the journey has also been about trying to understand the era of this wonderful car.
“It was a rare car back then and it remains so, but when you see it in such a setting as this I think it is timeless.
“Its owner encouraged us to drive it properly and it has been really special to enjoy it.”
The spectacular castle drive gave Lord Glamis the perfect opportunity to stretch the legs of the air-cooled, four-cylinder Speedster, the 356 model having been legendary marque Porsche’s first production car.