HRH The Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Rothesay, made a recent visit to Glamis Castle in Angus to officially open the new Queen Mother Memorial Gates in memory of his grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

Funded by public donations from Scotland and abroad, the Queen Mother Memorial Gates are the result of a partnership between the Queen Mother’s Memorial Fund for Scotland and Strathmore Estates. Forming an imposing new entrance to the historic castle in the centre of the village of Glamis, the gates took six months to build.

Architect Lachlan Stewart designed the magnificent gates in conjunction with a small team of memorial gates’ trustees. The grand gate piers, which are carved from Wattscliffe Sandstone, a delicate pink stone, feature the eight names and coats of arms of the ancient Royal burghs of Angus, in addition to the Bowes Lyon coat of arms and the Glamis crest. Two rampant lions grace the regal pillars. The imposing gate piers frame wrought iron gates, with the Queen Mother’s coat of arms intricately detailed at the centre.

In creating the memorial, this initiative sought to create a new link from the village to the castle via the avenue. It is the first time in history that the vista of Glamis, with its fairytale turrets and the rolling Angus hills beyond, can now be seen from the main road. The gates have also created a new public space in the village in the style of amphitheatre.

Commenting on the Queen Mother Memorial Gates, David Adams, general manager of Glamis Castle said: “We are delighted with this striking memorial – it is a true work of art, inspired, designed and created by Scots as an impressive monument to a remarkable lady - the Queen Mother. Not only will they give a warm welcome to our visitors from Scotland and across the globe and add to the sense of arrival at the castle, they have also created a new public space and focal point in the heart of the village.”

Explained Adams: “Having spent much of her childhood at Glamis, the Queen Mother always had a strong affinity with the castle - during WW1, when the castle became a military hospital, she looked after some of the soldiers who convalesced here. After her marriage, she spent part of her honeymoon here, she visited Glamis with her family thereafter on many occasions and HRH The Princess Margaret was born here. It is therefore fitting that the Queen Mother should be remembered at Glamis in this way.”