Six dresses worn by the Queen is the jewel of Glamis Castle’s 2012 season in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year.
The Angus landmark’s royal ties are again being celebrated in what castle tourism chiefs are viewing as a pivotal year in the history of the 600-year-old attraction, targeting a continuing upward trend in visitor numbers.
The county’s most popular tourist destination recorded a modest 1,500-visitor rise in 2011 to take the year’s total figure to 102,880.
Significant investment and rebranding of five-star Glamis has been undertaken during a hectic few months’ close season, and as the Queen Mother memorial gates swung open on Saturday for the season, castle administrator David Broadfoot said the objective is to welcome 110,000 people from across the globe down the sweeping drive this year.
He said: ”It’s a very big year for us, but it is already shaping up to be a diamond year with this wonderful collection of six dresses graciously loaned by HM The Queen.
”They reflect the six decades of her reign and are designs by famous names such as Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas.
“They are absolutely stunning and we are sure our visitors will love seeing them on display at Glamis.”
The dresses reflect the diamond theme and include such sparking gowns as Hartnell’s champagne ball creation worn by Her Majesty on a tour of the United States in October 1957.’Really beautiful’They are at the heart of one of the new exhibitions in the castle, which also celebrates the Glamis connection with the lives of the Queen Mother, who grew up there, and Princess Margaret, born there in 1930.
On Saturday morning Mr Broadfoot was there to personally welcome the first visitors of the year all the way from Glamis village!
Young Andrew Cooper’s early weekend start saw the 15-month-old persuade his parents, Shaun and Moira, to make the short trip from their Strathmore Road home to the attraction they visit at least once a week.
The family are among the Friends of Glamis and Mrs Cooper was part of the group which enjoyed a special 2012 season preview last Friday, but was surprised and delighted that they were first across the threshold for the new tourism year.
”We come down with another couple of mums and babies at least once a week for a walk, a cup of tea and to play in the park, which Andrew loves,” she said.
Mr Cooper added: ”Glamis Castle is a really good place for the local community. Even in the winter months we are lucky enough to be able to go for a walk around the grounds and it is really beautiful.”
Later on Saturday morning, Glamis primary pupils Abby Cairns, Laura Anderson, Louisa Lyburn and Kirsten Baxter raised the Earl of Strathmore’s standard on the turreted roof of the landmark after their success in a sponsored fundraiser at the village school.
Additional events have been planned for Jubilee year, kicking off with an Easter weekend programme including falconry displays, carriage rides and storytelling sessions among other attractions.