Home and abroad have combined for a memorable start to the 2011 season at Glamis Castle.
First in the queue at the Queen Mother wrought-iron gates for Saturday’s opening were actor Jeremiah Harris (30), of Atlanta, Georgia, and Zimbabwean David Beckett (24), who received a special welcome from castle administrator David Broadfoot.
The London-based pair were enjoying a trip north of the border after David won a whisky tour prize, and they had been on their way to Edinburgh when they decided to stop at Glamis.
David said, “We are staying in Huntly for the weekend and the owner of our hotel recommended we visit Glamis.”
The surprised visitors received a Glamis Castle book, signed by the Earl of Strathmore, as a special reminder of the event.
On the castle’s ramparts, a trio of Glamis Primary School pupils were given the honour of unfurling the Strathmore standard.
Alex Miller (11), Robbie Wills (11) and Rebecca McConnachie (7) were the biggest fund-raisers in a sponsored walk to the castle organised by the village primary.
Before the opening, Glamis welcomed around 180 Friends of the castle to a special event involving whisky authority Charlie MacLean.
The Friends are annually invited to a preview of the castle’s year ahead, and Mr Broadfoot took the chance to invite his old schoolfriend to the event as a treat for the supporters of the attraction.