Winter’s chill has graced Glamis Castle with a ghostly mantle befitting the landmark’s reputation as one of the nation’s most haunted properties.
Although the mercury has started to creep up, the building’s shaded north elevation has remained in a frosty grip, lending a spectral aura to the castle as it welcomes guests from across the world in the closing days of this year’s visitor season.
Hundreds of visitors battled through the snow to savour the castle’s Christmas programme, and as staff prepare to bolt the doors on the Strathmore family seat they, too, have been intrigued by the combination of conditions which created this week’s eerie patina.
“The front of the castle is what most people associate with Glamis, so this side of the building is less well-known-but we thought it looked very ghostly in the frost,” said Libby Reynolds of the castle’s marketing team.
Glamis’ best-known ghost is the Grey Lady said to roam the castle chapel but her chilling reputation appears to have been softened a little by the modern-day demands of making the attraction comfortable for its annual international influx.
The frosty facade has melted where the heating has slowly worked its way through the castle’s thick walls from inside the second-floor chapel.
On Hogmanay, Glamis will close its doors on what has been described as a decent year.
Libby said, “This week also we have welcomed French, Russian, Thai and Polish visitors, as well as a few from Aberdeen and Angus.
“We have also had people here from Texas and Malawi who had never seen snow before, and they thought Glamis was a fairytale setting in the winter conditions.”