AROUND 9000 people flocked to Glamis Castle for its spectacular open-air picnic prom-on-the-lawn on Saturday night.

It was the 12th year of the increasingly popular event.

Fine weather, offering a break in an otherwise poor summer, brought out the promenaders, some who have attended since it started and others who are more recent converts.

“This was the biggest prom ever,” castle administrator David Adams revealed yesterday.

“When I stood on the stage to welcome everyone, I just saw a mass of people on the lawn and beyond, enjoying themselves.

“Every blade of grass was sat on. The atmosphere was electric, it was a fantastic evening.”

Although prom-goers are only allowed on the lawns from 4 pm, Mr Adams had people arriving at 11.30 am, desperate to book the best seats in the house.

He also reported tailbacks at 5 pm as traffic descended on the grounds.

Mr Adams said a fast-lane to encourage taxi and mini-bus use was a success, attracting 1000 users.

“That worked really well and is something we’ll be repeating,” he said. “It was good business for local taxi operators and I am glad it worked out well for them.”

Seated around the stage on picnic stools, recliners, deckchairs and rugs, the audience was wowed by three hours of music.

The 70-strong National Symphony Orchestra of Scotland, led by conductor Iain Sutherland, celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss by playing the Lorelei Waltz and the Radetsky March.

Enthusiasts of big orchestral music were treated to a selection from Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov and the march from the Karelia Suite by Sibelius.

World-class soloist Colin Lawson performed the Mozart clarinet concerto to a rapturous reception.

But tenor Peter Auty, a Covent Garden star, had the audience on their feet with his opera favourites, especially the popular Nessun Dorma by Puccini.

Perhaps they left the best to last, with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture set to fireworks before Pipe Major David Wotherspoon took to the stage with a collection of stirring music.

This traditional segment brought tears to the eye—in one woman at least when Amazing Grace filtered through the trees skirting the outdoor arena—and the prom to an end.

As organiser John Reid took it all in yesterday, he began laying plans for next year’s event—on August 13.

“Somehow, I have to find a way of bettering that one,” he said. “It was an amazing night in an amazing place, with Glamis Castle as the backdrop.

“We get some great talent here and I’m delighted at the response to it among people, who came here from Skye to Surrey.

“When the music played, the audience was so attentive. At times you couldn’t hear a sound from them.”