Gala Dinners - In a Castle

Gala Dinner at Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle, Childhood Home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, is set in the rolling hills of Angus, approximately 20km from the North Sea, in an area of considerable ancient history. From the 14th century the castle was connected with the Royal Family. And from the very beginning it was connected with lots of myths and legends starting with Macbeth, Grey Lady and the Secret Room. You can listen to these stories during a sightseeing tour of the Castle.

From the moment you are greeted by the Castle piper and step inside this fascinating building you will experience the warmest of Scottish welcomes and hospitality. A gala evening at Glamis will remain a treasured memory with you long after the event.

Sample Gala Evening

The Glamis Welcome
After your guests have been driven down the mile-long majestic avenue, they will receive a traditional Scottish welcome from the castle piper (optional).

Reception in the Drawing Room
Entertain your guests - as the Strathmore family has done for generations - with pre-dinner hospitality in the warmth and elegance of the 17th Century Drawing Room.

Castle Tour
Your guests will be enchanted by the magic of Glamis as they set off on a private tour of the State Rooms and Royal Apartments before dinner.

Gala Dinner
Basking in the rich glow of a roaring log fire, your party will enjoy the finest local produce and Scottish cuisine in the panelled splendour of the Victorian Dining Room.

Personalised Place Settings
Menus and place cards embossed with the Strathmore family crest will be personalised to suit the occasion.

Floral Decorations
Adding to the magnificent setting will be silver candelabra arrangements combining the seasonal flowers and foliage from the Castle gardens.

After Dinner
A selection of after-dinner liqueurs, brandy and The Strathmore malt whisky can be served at the end of the evening (optional).

Gift from Glamis
Ensure that the memory of Glamis remains by presenting your guests with the castle's beautifully illustrated guidebook. Other gifts are available at extra cost.

Fond Farewell
As a spectacular finale, we can arrange a Pipe Band to perform the Beat the Retreat ceremony in front of the floodlit Castle.

 

Kingmaker's Medieval Feast at Warwick Castle

Overlooking the River Avon, Warwick Castle in the historic town of Warwick is located in the heart of England. The history of Warwick Castle began in the 10th century, since when it has played a very important role throughout English history. Now it is arguably Britain's greatest medieval fortress.  

We invite you to spend wonderful evening experiencing the life of the medieval knights.  

Join the Kingmaker's household as the Earl's loyal followers prepare for battle by celebrating the occasion in spectacular glory. Extra places are set at the Earl's table, where you can take your place alongside the Earl's great army for an evening of merriment, delicious food and free flowing wine and beer.

The year is 1471 and you are preparing to face the Yorkists in tomorrow's battle for supremacy. The evening begins when you are led into 'Kingmaker' where Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and his busy household are making last minute preparations for battle. See the Blacksmith hard at work forging new shoes for the Earl's warhorse, walk through the Carpenter's workshop and see the Seamstresses at work.

Then the troops are rallied up for the festivities taking place. Wine and ale flowing freely amongst the tables gets the evening off to a great start before your five course feast is served.The celebrations include plenty of tales, music, singing and revelry, but when the evening draws to a close, will you decide to march for glory with the Earl?

 

Medieval Banquet at Stirling Castle

One of Scotland's grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle commands the countryside for many miles around.  It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland's past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace's victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.

Sample programme

Upon arrival you will be welcomed by a piper and the representative of one of the clans. Then Enter the Chapel Royal through an imposing doorway in Italian renaissance style.  The room is beautifully decorated with a painted frieze depicting the Honours of Scotland and a wooden ceiling - a beautiful room with intricately painted walls and a wooden vaulted ceiling.  Welcome drinks and canapes will be served here followed by the short sightseeing of the castle.

Then you will be invited to the Great Hall, Scotland's largest medieval banqueting hall, which has recently been restored to its 16th century splendour.  It is now considered to be one of Scotland's most prestigious banqueting venues comprising a hammer beam roof and high table fit for a King and Queen.  Dinner will be served here. After dinner guests can return to the Chapel Royal for dancing.

During the course of the evening, guests can enjoy either a tour of the Castle, focusing on the external architecture, or if the weather is poor a talk by one of the experienced stewards about the history of Stirling Castle.  The Castle also affords spectacular views over the surrounding area including the Lomond Hills and the Wallace Monument. During the feast you will be entertained by piper, jester and clan representative as well as by Scottish musicians and dancers.

Sample Menus  

Clear chicken soup with leeks, prunes and rice
Seared fillet of sea bass with tomato and chilli salad
Haggis, neeps and tatties
Roast fillet of Scottish beef with wild mushrooms and Marsala gravy, or grilled chickens with chateau potatoes and roasted root vegetables
Soft honeyed chocolate cake with clotted cream
Selection of Scottish cheeses with quince paste and oatcakes
Coffee and petit fours
Wine and ale served to the meal
Raspberry delice with Drambuie, mixed berries and praline
Coffee and petit fours