By Graham Brown

THE MAN who has spent more time than any other American astronaut looking down on earth gained a more close-up view of one particular part of Angus yesterday.

Rounding off what was a busy weekend in Tayside, record-breaking astronaut Michael Foale was part of a group—including fellow space man Mike Baker—who toured Glamis Castle and were given the privilege of enjoying a bird’s eye view from the roof of the historic family seat of the Earls of Strathmore.

The NASA pair are in Scotland as part of a link with the Scottish Space School Foundation and in visiting Glamis yesterday, British-born Mr Foale was fulfilling the Angus attraction’s first booking from outer space after arrangements for the castle trip were relayed from the international space station, 240 miles above earth, via mission control in Houston, Texas.

Mary, Dowager Countess of Strathmore welcomed the NASA party yesterday morning and spent some time chatting to Mr Foale before escorting him up the tight stone spiral staircase which opens out onto the roof and the spectacular views of Strathmore estate and beyond.

Mr Foale, who at more than 374 days has logged the most cumulative time ever spent in space, took it easy up the stone steps after revealing the physical effects of seven months orbiting the globe.

“I’m getting back to fitness and running quite a lot but often standing still or sitting can be difficult because I haven’t had a proper posture during all that time,” he said.

Mr Foale and his family are spending a short time in Scotland before returning to the States, where after further time off he will be returning to what will undoubtedly be a key role in future space programmes.

“We will be developing the ideas of how we will get back to the Moon and go to Mars,” he said. “I think we will be back to the Moon in 10 years and maybe around 2020 for Mars.”

Yesterday’s event was also a chance for Forfar teenager Fergus Howe to welcome the NASA guests to his home area after being on the receiving end of unforgettable NASA hospitality.

Teenager Fergus was one of 25 Scottish students selected by the SSSF to join a 10-day space camp in Houston at the beginning of this year, a highlight of which was a live link-up with Michael Foale.

By chance, Fergus’s father, Hamish, is a guide at Glamis and yesterday the 16-year-old dashed back from a hillwalking weekend to make sure he did not miss the chance to shake hands with Mr Foale and renew his acquaintance with Mr Baker, whom he also met while in Texas.

“I met Mike Baker over there but it’s absolutely great to to be able to meet Michael Foale after speaking to him when he was on the space station,” said Fergus.