Few places in Scotland weave together history, legend, and atmosphere quite like Glamis Castle. Long linked in the popular imagination with Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it is often associated with the title “Thane of Glamis” and the dark, compelling world of intrigue, ambition, and prophecy that surrounds it.
Beyond its literary connections, Glamis is a visual and sensory delight. Its striking turrets and grand interiors hint at centuries of stories, while the surrounding gardens offer a calm, beautifully landscaped escape into the Scottish countryside.
Glamis Castle and the Thane of Glamis
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the title “Thane of Glamis” is the starting point of Macbeth’s rise. He appears first as a Scottish nobleman and military commander who holds his lands from the king in return for loyal service. This position defines his initial standing within the feudal hierarchy. As the play unfolds, he is granted the additional title of Thane of Cawdor, further elevating his status, before he ultimately murders King Duncan and seizes the crown for himself.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth is loosely inspired by the historical 11th‑century king Macbeth, but the play is far from a faithful retelling. It compresses events, alters characters, and heightens the supernatural to create a gripping tragedy rather than a strict historical record.
Even so, Glamis Castle has become firmly entwined with the story in the public mind. Its imposing architecture, hidden corners, and tales of ghostly apparitions provide a wonderfully dramatic backdrop that invites visitors to imagine Macbeth’s world, even though the play is not a literal depiction of this specific place.
Lady Anne’s Online Needlework Festival
At The Crewel Work Company, our annual Lady Anne’s Online Needlework Festival brings together stitchers from around the globe to explore a single, distinguished needlework collection in depth. We are thrilled to share that this year’s festival will be devoted to the historic embroideries of Glamis Castle.
Through a programme of exclusive workshops, lectures, and specially produced films, we will delve into these remarkable pieces, honouring the original makers and helping to preserve their work for future generations. Participants will have the chance to study the designs, techniques, and stories behind the embroideries in a focused and inspiring way.
Visiting Glamis—whether by walking its rooms in person or by engaging with its textiles through our festival—is a powerful way to see history stitched into fabric.
