A remarkable 46-year small scale labour of love is about to make a big impression on visitors to one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions.
In what has been described as a unique national collection, former Queen’s Life Guard Stewart Smith has gifted Glamis Castle a display of around 1,100 toy soldiers re-creating in miniature a momentous royal event of 60 years ago.
Over countless thousands of hours since he bought three tiny figures in the 1960s, Stewart has replicated the 1953 scene witnessed in Edinburgh when the Queen made her first visit to Scotland following her coronation.
Alyth-born Stewart, 75, who grew up in Dundee and also served almost 30 years in the Metropolitan mounted police, said: “I had always had an interest in model soldiers and saw the three little figures when I was walking past a shop in 1966, so I bought them and those original pieces are there in the display behind the Queen’s carriage.”
Photo gallery:Glamis Castle’s new model army
“When I was in the mounted police in London, I was part of the sovereign escort in London and at Windsor, and the display just grew as the years went on. “
“I’ve always wanted it to go on permanent display somewhere and I am so proud Lord Strathmore has accepted it for Glamis.
“This will transfer to Glamis Castle when I pass and that is something that pleases me a great deal,” added Stewart, who moved back to Dundee in 1993.
Castle director David Broadfoot said they were thrilled by Stewart’s generosity.
For more information, visit www.glamis-castle.co.uk