AN UNPLEASANT pheasant named Bob is proving a bit of a grouse in the grounds of Glamis Castle.

The Angus attraction is renowned worldwide for the generous welcome it extends to visitors, a greeting warmly received last year by the wives of world leaders when they spent a day at the Earl of Strathmore’s family seat during the G8 summit.

The members of the First Wives Club were flown into Glamis by helicopter—a mode of transport which probably averted an international incident had they swept down the castle approach in a fleet of limos of a certain colour.

Scarlet motors cause the red mist to descend on the game guardian of the Glamis ticket booth, whose pluck shows no bounds in his efforts to give unwelcome arrivals the bird.

Bob’s antics have become a real talking point at Glamis after staff saw last year just how quickly red cars put the flighty resident in a bit of a flap.

“People would come down the drive and if they were in a red car Bob would appear from nowhere and chase alongside them,” said castle business manager Gill Crawford.

Bob has reserved a special level of uncharitable dislike for one Glamis regular, and a man of the cloth no less.

“Our castle chaplain, the Rev Dendle French, unfortunately drives a red car and Bob really doesn’t seem to like him.

“He’s tried to have a peck at him a few times,” Gill said.

Bob’s reputation for regularly seeing red has led staff to warn wandering tourists of the pheasant’s penchant for chasing his least favourite colour.

A sign in the heart of his territory reads:

“Beneath this old yew tree lives a fiery red pheasant.

“He chases red cars—which isn’t too pleasant.”

On a wing and a prayer, The Courier went in pursuit of Bob, and true to form, he noisily hot-footed it in pursuit of the red office car.