Setting the stage

What a lovely day to set the stage for the Grand Scottish Prom. .....

St. Andrews University Graduate starts new role at Glamis Castle

We would like to thank everyone who applied for the position of Admin Assistant and advise that the posistion has now been filled by St. Andrews University Graduate, Lucy Gilmour.

Lucy started her new post on 10th July and has hit the ground running. In her first month she will be assisting our Event Co-ordinator, Claire Taylor, at a wedding reception and the Grand Scottish Prom on July 30th.

July Recipe

GLAMIS CASTLE RECIPE FOR JULY

QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER’S FAVOURITE CAKE

Line a Swiss roll tin with foil, building it up well at the sides (9” by 12” tin). Pour a cup of boiling water over 4oz. of chopped dates and 1 tsp. bicarbonate of soda. Let it stand while the following is mixed:

INGREDIENTS

175g/6 oz butter	For the topping:
175g/2 oz sugar	5 tblsp soft light brown sugar
6 oz. sifted plain flour	2 tblsp butter
2 oz. chopped walnuts (leave a few for topping)	2 tblsp cream from the top of the milk
1 beaten egg
1 sm. tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

METHOD

1. Mix together the dry ingredients and add to the date mixture, stirring well. Bake for 35 minutes in a moderate oven.

2. Mix together the topping ingredients and boil for 3 minutes. Spread over the cake and top with chopped nuts.

PLEASE NOTE:

This cake is the Queen Mother’s favourite recipe. At Her Majesty’s request the recipe must not be given away but SOLD and the money donated to a charitable organisation.

Events here at the castle

Events form a large part of the season here at Glamis.

Outdoor events are often stage- managed by outside companies; our main role is to ensure the venue remains in tip-top condition, that our facilities are well presented and that we are prepared for the extra visitors that outside events often bring to the castle.

The Strathmore Highland Games is organised by local people in association with the Scottish Highland Games Association. Glamis always provides a magnificent backdrop to traditional Scottish sports like tossing the caber, hammer throwing, tug of war, traditional dances; it is a celebration of all things Scottish, a regular event that attracts locals and visitors. Held this year on the 12^th June, we were incredibly lucky with the weather and the day went well.

Our next major outside event is the Scottish Transport Extravaganza to be held on the weekend of the 9^th and 10^th July. This is the largest vintage car rally in Scotland organised by the Strathmore Vintage Vehicle Club and held every year here in the Castle Event field. Another hugely popular event, it is now in its 37^th year. The event showcases more than 1,300 vehicles representing a variety of transports. With something for every member of the family, this is a “must see” in the events calendar.

Scotland’s Countryside Festival is held this year on the 3^rd and 4^th of September and celebrates the rural activities that can be found in Scotland. This is an event for families, dogs, horses, ferrets, ducks-you name it. If it can be found in the countryside, you will find it here at Glamis that weekend. This is the biggest “Family Festival” in the East of Scotland highlighting the great variation of crafts, foods and wines that can be found in the region. A great day out for all.

But the big event of the year will surely be the Grand Scottish Prom, which bursts into life on Saturday the 30^th July. We all look forward to this event with its heady combination of classical music, fireworks and fun. Taking the lead from other major concert venues like the Proms in Hyde Park, London, concert goers bring their own seating and picnics from 5pm onwards to spend the long summer evening drinking in the atmosphere of the castle and grounds while listening to popular classics as interpreted by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and soloist Giordano Luca. The grand finale of fireworks set to the music of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is a fitting end to what is always a superb concert.

Tickets for the Grand Scottish Prom are available at the Early Bird price of £29 (plus £1.50 each handling charge and postage) until Thursday the 28^th July. Tickets at the gate will be £35 each. We look forward to seeing you there.