Glamis Castle Collection
Surrounded by Highland 'Coos' in the very heart of Angus in Scotland, Glamis Castle has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and their Lyon predecessors since King Robert II granted the Thanage of Glamis to Sir John Lyon in 1372.
Once host to Mary, Queen of Scots, Glamis is said to have inspired one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Macbeth. Glamis also has a deep connection to today’s Royal Family, as it was the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the birthplace of HRH Princess Margaret.
Under the expert care of Archivist Ingrid Thomson, the Glamis Castle Textile Collection holds a vast array of needlework completed by generations of Strathmore women, from Lady Helen, wife of the 3rd Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, to Cecilia, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the maternal grandmother of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Glamis Castle Kits
Beginner
Glamis Animals - Full Collection (Pre-Order)
Buy the full set of 12 designs in the Glamis Animals Collection and save £60. This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These playful designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings in Glamis Castle, Scotland. Stitched in 1683 by Lady Helen Middleton (later Countess of Strathmore), the hangings feature a playful array of domestic and exotic animals. This set features all 12 designs - the Boar, Donkey, Horse, Reindeer, Lamb, Duck, Leopard, Goat, Camel, Rhinoceros, Elephant and Dog. The kit comes complete with all the materials needed to complete your designs....
Buy the full set of 12 designs in the Glamis Animals Collection and save £60. This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched...
Beginner
Glamis Duck, Elephant, Camel and Rhinoceros (Pre-Order)
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings in Glamis Castle, Scotland. Stitched in 1683 by Lady Helen Middleton (later Countess of Strathmore), the hangings feature a playful array of domestic and exotic animals. This set features the Duck, Elephant, Camel and Rhinoceros and comes complete with all the materials and instructions needed to finish each of these four designs. Sales of these designs, together with every kit in our Glamis Animals Collection, make a direct contribution to the care and conservation of the...
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings...
Beginner
Glamis Reindeer, Donkey, Horse and Boar (Pre-Order)
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings in Glamis Castle, Scotland. Stitched in 1683 by Lady Helen Middleton (later Countess of Strathmore), the hangings feature a playful array of domestic and exotic animals. This set features the Boar, Donkey, Horse & Reindeer and comes complete with all the materials and instructions needed to finish each of these four designs. Sales of these designs, together with every kit in our Glamis Animals Collection, make a direct contribution to the care and conservation of the original...
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings...
Beginner
Glamis Dog, Lamb, Goat, Leopard (Pre-Order)
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings in Glamis Castle, Scotland. Stitched in 1683 by Lady Helen Middleton (later Countess of Strathmore), the hangings feature a playful array of domestic and exotic animals. This set features the Dog, Lamb, Goat, and Leopard and comes complete with all the materials and instructions needed to finish each of these four designs. Sales of these designs, together with every kit in our Glamis Animals Collection, make a direct contribution to the care and conservation of the original...
This is a pre-order purchase. Your order will be dispatched in August. These designs are inspired by an extraordinary set of 17th century bed hangings...
Beginner
Lady Helen's Duck Kit
Featuring a charming duck, this beginner crewel work design replicates one of many animals featured on a set of 17th Century bed hangings at Glamis Castle.
Stitched by Lady Helen Middleton (wife of the 3rd Earl of Strathmore) and her daughters, the original embroideries now hang in King Malcolm's Room within the castle.
Featuring a charming duck, this beginner crewel work design replicates one of many animals featured on a set of 17th Century bed hangings at Glamis...
Beginner
Glamis Whitework
Discover the art of whitework with this beginner-friendly Glamis Whitework design, taught by acclaimed Australian embroidery artist Di Kirchner. Renowned for her expertise in whitework and reticella embroidery, Di's instructions will guide you step-by-step, ensuring you gain confidence and skill. This design is perfect for newcomers to embroidery, and offers a welcoming introduction to the elegance and precision of traditional whitework embroidery.
Discover the art of whitework with this beginner-friendly Glamis Whitework design, taught by acclaimed Australian embroidery artist Di Kirchner. Renowned for her expertise in whitework...
Intermediate
Kinghorne Foxglove Kit
Inspired by a foxglove motif found on the historic Kinghorne Bed in the King’s Dressing Room at Glamis Castle, this elegant design reimagines the original detail in luminous silk and sparkling gold couching. The kit combines silk shading with goldwork techniques to create a piece rich in texture and dimension. Stitches include Fly Stitch, Satin Stitch, Long & Short shading, Gold Couching, and the application of spangles — offering a rewarding exploration of silk and metal thread embroidery. A beautifully balanced project by renowned designer Kate Barlow, this design is ideal for stitchers wishing to develop their confidence in combining...
Inspired by a foxglove motif found on the historic Kinghorne Bed in the King’s Dressing Room at Glamis Castle, this elegant design reimagines the original...
Intermediate
Cecilia's Countess Pillowe Kit
Phillipa’s Countess Pillowe design takes inspiration from a set of magnificent crewel work bed hangings designed and embroidered by Cecilia, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne (1862–1938) grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.
This design features the Scottish thistle and the English rose, each bordered by graceful lattice columns. This design is perfect for stitchers who are ready to extend their skills, and offers an impressive design which is possible to complete in a relatively short time.
Phillipa’s Countess Pillowe design takes inspiration from a set of magnificent crewel work bed hangings designed and embroidered by Cecilia, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne (1862–1938) grandmother of Queen...
Intermediate
Lady Arbella's Stomacher Kit
Inspired by the richly embroidered stomacher in a 16th-century portrait at Glamis Castle, this striking design by Deborah Wilding captures the splendour of Tudor court dress. The painting of Lady Arbella Stuart, once considered a potential successor to Elizabeth I, provides the historical inspiration for this remarkable piece.
Worked in silk and metal threads, the kit explores a range of decorative stitches and goldwork techniques, including padded satin stitch, laid work, couching, French knots, applying pearls, beads, gilt plate, pearl purl, and passing thread. Proceeds from this kit support the Glamis Castle Textile Collection.
Inspired by the richly embroidered stomacher in a 16th-century portrait at Glamis Castle, this striking design by Deborah Wilding captures the splendour of Tudor court...
Beginner
Lady Helen's Elephant Kit
Explore the charm of Lady Helen Middleton's 17th century wall hangings in the historic needlework collection of Glamis Castle, Scotland. Inspired by the playful animals which adorn this wonderful set, which hangs in King Malcolm’s Room, this beginner crewel work project is perfect for those new to crewel embroidery.
Explore the charm of Lady Helen Middleton's 17th century wall hangings in the historic needlework collection of Glamis Castle, Scotland. Inspired by the playful animals...
Advanced
The Scottish Play Kit
Find your embroidery flair with the Scottish Play Crewel Work Kit. This unusual design replicates a 17th Century pillowe which adorns a Charles I walnut ebonised day bed, which sits in the crypt at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. Glamis Castle is connected to Macbeth (also referred to as The Scottish Play in theatrical circles) because Shakespeare gives his infamous character the title Thane of Glamis. Although the current castle was built after the real Macbeth’s time, local tradition associates him with the area and with legends that helped shape the play. Featuring extravagantly oversized floral motifs, the original embroidery was likely...
Find your embroidery flair with the Scottish Play Crewel Work Kit. This unusual design replicates a 17th Century pillowe which adorns a Charles I walnut...
Beginner
Glamis Dog Kit
Featuring a charming King Charles Spaniel, the Glamis Dog replicates one of many animals featured on a set of 17th Century bed hangings at Glamis Castle.
Stitched by Lady Helen Middleton (wife of the 3rd Earl of Strathmore) and her daughters, the original embroideries now hang in King Malcolm's Room within the castle.
Featuring a charming King Charles Spaniel, the Glamis Dog replicates one of many animals featured on a set of 17th Century bed hangings at Glamis...
Retreats
General Booking Now Open
Glamis Retreat: 11-22 October 2027
A new retreat focusing on Glamis Castle and the Highlands. Join us for 5 days in Edinburgh before we travel north for 6 days to relax in the Highlands with...
General Booking Coming Soon
Glamis Retreat: 4-15 May 2028
A new retreat focusing on Glamis Castle and the Highlands. Join us for 5 days in Edinburgh before we travel north for 6 days to relax in the Highlands with...
How We Give Back
To Castles, Country Houses & Institutions
Where possible we donate up to 10% of the proceeds of the sale of a kit to the castle, country house, or institution that the original embroidery belongs to, to support the conservation of the original artefact.
