The Approach to the Castle

Daniel Defoe, writing in the early 18th century, expressed wonder at G lamis's many spires, turrets, towers and statues and likened the place to a city. The modern visitor seeing the Castle for the first time at the end of its long avenue cannot but draw breath in admiration as did Defoe.

Entrance is through the 'De'il Gat es' in the park wall, adorned with heraldic beasts and satyrs. This once stood in front of the Castle and was set up there in 1680 by a local mason, Alexander Crow to Lord Strathmore's design.

After a short distance the driveway turns into a grand tr ee-lined avenue leading to the Castle. To the left is a 'doo'cot' (dovecote). on the right is a tree which can be seen from the Castle and was the point where courting domestics had to stop so that they could be 'chaperoned' by watchful eyes from the cast le's windows.

In the late 17th century there were outer defences of walls and towers enclosing formal parterres. These were swept away in 1772-75 with the intention of remodelling the park in the fashion of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Finally comple ted in the early 19th century the park now resembles the surroundings of an English Palladian mansion and contrasts strongly with the rugged, ancient and mysterious building which dominates it. These changes infuriated Sir Walter Scott when he came here a nd outraged his sense of history. All that is left of these outer defences and decorations are the sundial and the statues of James VI and his son Charles I.

Although visitors to the Castle enter through a door on the north side, the main entrance to the building faces the drive in the angle tower which was begun shortly after 1600 by the 1st Earl of Kinghorne. This work was completed by the 3rd Earl and his bust can be seen above the d oor in a circular niche above the Royal Arms.