The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-26
MEDIAEVAL CASTLE.
Lady StrathmOre's Home One of the
Oldest in Scotland


One of the most picturesque and beau
tiful of the old Scottish castles is Clami:
castle, the ancient seat of the Earls of
Strathmore. 1t dates back to the dark
ages, having been a royal residence in
the time Of King Malcolm, and remained
so until the end of the fourteenth CEN
tury. At the marriage of the daughter
of King Robert H. to Sir John Lyon in
1872, the lands and thanedom OF CLAIMS
were given to the bridegroom by the
King. The present family of Lyon, Earls
of Strathmore is directly descended from
him. At Sir Johns death he was buried
among the kings Of Scotland, at Scone
CLAIMS castle is generally regarded as
the scene of the murder of King Duncan
by Macbeth, although CaWdor makes the
same claim, and the room which is sup,
posed 10 have been the fatal chamber is
still shown.
Sir Walter Scott once spent night at
CLAIMS, in 1874, and in a note to "Waver-
Icy he says: THE Poculum Potatorium
of tho valiant baron, mis- blessed bear
has prototype at the fine old castle Of
Glamis, so rich in memorials of ancient
times. 1t is a massive bealler of silver.
double gilt, moulded into the shape of a
lion and holding about an English pint
Of wine The form alludes to the family
name Of Strathmore, which IS Lyon. and.
be emptied to the earl'S health. The
author ought, perhaps, to be ashamed CT
recording that he has had the honor Of
swallowing the contents of the lion, and
the recollection Of the feat served to sug-
gest the story of the bear Of Brad
Wardne."
The walls of the castle are so thick
that hidden staiTways and passage are
frequent in them, AMI a secret room ex-
ic n,,1,,
the reigning earl, his eldest son and his
business manager. The main entrance
is sinSularly small and low, and the
door is Of heavy oak, studded with iron
rails. Directly inside the door is an
iron gate, opening on the great staircase,
which is in a circular tower and ascends
spirally. 1t has 143 steps each a single
stone feet 10 inches across.
The drawing room, formerly the ban
quoting hall, is go feet long and % feet
wide, with a fireplace reaching the CELL
ing, and guarded by four lions
There are many interesting old pic
lures and relics, one of the most valued
of which is the portrait by Sir Peter
Lely of the famous Claverhouse His
coat of buff-colored leather ornamented
with silver, hangs on a chair near it.
ClaVerhouse Viscount Dundee) was an
Intimate of the Strathmore of that pc
riod, and was much at Glamis.
other cherished relics are the watch
and sword of Prince Charlie who spent
two nights at CLAIMS. 1t is said that
lightweight beds were prepared for his
suite. The walls in Prince Charles
room are supposed to contain a conceal
ed staircase. ...--..-.
The gardens at CLAIMS were laid out
by the present Lord Strathmore, and are
renowned through the kingdom for their
beauty, the grapes being particularly
celebrated Lady Stratnmore ALWAYS
keeps the drawing room full of flowers.
which she arranges herself Her daugh,
ters are also artistic in their tastes
Lady Anne Lyon being a clever painter
and Lady Maud Lyon a skillful vfoIinisr
Lady Strathmore embroiGers with ex,
quisite taste and skill, and has worked
all the altar cloths for their private
chapel, which is considered one of the
most beautiful in the United Kingdom