The historic ramparts of Glamis Castle may rock to a 21st century tune as part of the drive by the Angus landmark’s new administrator to keep the attraction at the top of the tourist charts.
Military man David Broadfoot has arrived in his new role at Glamis with the season opening just a few weeks away and has brought with him a host of ambitions for the Strathmore family seat including the possibility of big-name pop groups performing at the venue.
Glamis is well established as the setting for the Grand Scottish Proms, which make an open-air return in July after a one-year absence.
However, Mr Broadfoot is hopeful of building on the success he enjoyed in his previous role at Cawdor Castle, which included inviting chart kings Westlife north to perform in front of a sell-out 12,500-strong army of Highland fans.
Major concert sights may be set probably into 2012 but Mr Broadfoot is making determined efforts on that idea while working on what he is confident will be a busy 2011.
For over 30 years a member of the Gordon Highlanders, then the Highlanders and ultimately the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, his service took him across the globe including several tours of Northern Ireland and Africa, where he was chief of the British Army training school.
His final tour was in Slovakia, undertaking what he describes as a “full circle” experience in training the men of former Cold War countries.’Royal connections’Mr Broadfoot took over at Cawdor in 2006 but could not resist the Angus opportunity when it arose.
He said, “Glamis just stood up and for me it was a no-brainer.
“You are taking over, in my opinion, the premier home in Scotland and to me Glamis has everything.”
He added, “Glamis has a hugely professional team and there is nothing we cannot do here, whether that be weddings, corporate, the proms or welcoming visitors from all over the world.
“My job is to make sure Glamis stays as the leader in its field and that is a challenge.”
Mr Broadfoot said, “After 9/11 (tourist) numbers across Scotland dipped and they have continued that way since but against that and other factors such as rising fuel costs, Glamis held its own last year and that says a lot.
“Glamis will always be known for its royal connection and this year we will be marking it again with a special exhibition which is to open on the day of the royal wedding, April 29.”