Glamis Castle – It Takes a Small Scottish Village

The carriage-driving community came together in force to support the 10th Anniversary CIAT Glamis Attelage de Tradition held May 9–10, 2026.

Attention to detail is often what separates a good organizing committee from a truly great one, and that quality was on full display in the Scottish village of Glamis, nestled in the county of Angus. Volunteers and staff worked seamlessly to create a safe, welcoming, and exceptionally well-run event. Preparations had clearly begun many months in advance, with clear signage and excellent communication reflecting the meticulous planning behind the competition.

The tremendous groundwork carried out by the organizing committee — Richard & Sandy Lanni, Alan Ross, Ruth Martin, and Kendall Young — ensured the event unfolded smoothly from start to finish. Their years of experience, thoughtful planning, and tireless dedication created an atmosphere that was both professional and warmly hospitable for competitors and guests alike. The event was also generously supported by the principal sponsor, Highland Industrial Supplies, whose backing helped make the 10th Anniversary celebration possible.

Festivities began with a guided course walk through the sprawling estate of Simon Bowes-Lyon, the 19th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The immaculate 14,000-acre grounds feature timbered forests, formal gardens, winding streams, and, of course, the magnificent backdrop of Glamis Castle itself.

The relaxed schedule allowed competitors ample opportunity to exercise their horses and ponies throughout the estate, with many stopping along the iconic tree-lined drive to capture the quintessential Glamis photograph — their turnout framed against the castle’s dramatic backdrop. While Glamis Castle staff expertly handled public parking and estate logistics, organizers focused on the competitor experience, including hospitality and facilities. The event secretary was Janette Watson, who ensured all the necessary paperwork was filed and available for the competition. Friday evening’s welcome reception brought together officials, volunteers, competitors, and grooms in a convivial atmosphere. Catering throughout the weekend was a remarkable accomplishment, with Sandy, Alex, Brian, and Richard Lanni operating like a well-oiled machine.

Officials for the weekend included President of the Jury Enzo Calvi of Bergamo, Italy; Dr. Thomas Burgess of Virginia, United States; and Paul Mills of Dedham, Colchester, who served as a last-minute substitute for Eduardo Mira Cruz of Beringel, Portugal, who unfortunately withdrew due to medical concerns. Technical Delegate duties were handled by Alan Ross of Aberdeen, assisted by Michael Rider of Wisconsin, United States.

Presentation judging commenced Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. in front of Glamis Castle. The standard among the 16 entries was exceptionally high, with 6 entries finishing under 10 penalty points and 13 competitors under 15 penalties. The top presentation score went to Gilly Chippendale of Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, driving Bunbury Sandringham, a Welsh Section B pony, to a circa-1910 spindle-back gig by Blue of Glasgow, finishing on an impressive 6.34 penalties.

Overcast skies provided nearly ideal conditions for the presentation phase, which concluded around 11:30 a.m. Richard Lanni provided excellent commentary throughout, ably assisted by Geraldine Pearson.

The Routier competition commenced at 1:30 p.m., utilizing an 8-kilometer route for the Very Small Pony division and a 13-kilometer route for the remaining entries. To accommodate possible traffic through the village of Glamis and encourage a more leisurely drive, speeds were adjusted to 12 kph for horses, 10 kph for tandems and large ponies, and 8 kph for small ponies and VSEs.

With the reduced speeds, nearly all competitors remained comfortably within the allotted time and could really enjoy the estate scenery, leaving only performance challenge penalties to influence the standings. The Routier wound through the picturesque estate, featuring narrow bridge crossings, foss-fenced pastureland, and herds of Highland cattle. Along the route, competitors encountered five challenges, including ‘Three Point Turn,’ a variation of the traditional ‘Putting Away/Garaging’ challenge; ‘The Champagne Challenge,’ positioned directly in front of the castle; and ‘The Carpet,’ performed along the famed tree-lined drive leading to Glamis Castle. The ‘Stopping on a Slope’ challenge was modified into an uphill halt, requiring competitors to remain stationary for ten seconds on an incline. The final challenge, ‘The Rail – to the Right,’ proved the most difficult of the day, with only five competitors completing it penalty-free.

True to Scottish forecasts, the skies opened shortly after the first competitors set off on the drive, giving participants ample opportunity to make use of their rain gear. Fortunately, intermittent showers did little to dampen spirits as competitors made their way around the castle grounds. The final competitors completed the route shortly before 4:00 p.m., with Margaret Gordon expertly tallying the scores shortly thereafter.

Following the scoring, only two competitors completed the Routier without penalties: Gilly Chippendale of Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, and Laura Chaffe of Mid Calder, West Lothian. Chaffe, competing in the Very Small Pony division with her Shetland pony, Almondell Crusader, was driven in an 1896 panel cart built by George Kay of Dunfermline.

Rain continued intermittently through the evening as guests ascended the castle’s impressive stone spiral staircase to attend the Champagne Reception in the Drawing Room. Guests were welcomed to the black-tie affair by the stirring sounds of a young bagpiper and encouraged to embrace tartan attire, with many gentlemen attired in kilts or trews. The evening provided fabulous photo opportunities throughout.

Those opting to tour the castle were divided into groups and treated to ghost stories, tales of Glamis Castle’s royal connections — including the birth of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, in 1930 — and visits to several of the castle’s famous features. Guests met ‘Fred,’ the taxidermied Canadian brown bear, and visited ‘Duncan’s Hall,’ long associated, albeit inaccurately, with the murder of King Duncan in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Following the guided tours, guests proceeded to the Grand Dining Room, where tables named after famous British carriage manufacturers awaited them for an elegant evening meal prepared by the kitchen staff of Glamis Castle. During dinner, toasts were offered to ‘The King,’ to the equine partners who had drawn everyone together, to the shared passion for traditional carriage driving, and to the families whose dedication made the event possible. The evening then turned to fundraising, with both a live auction and raffle featuring an impressive assortment of donated items, the proceeds of which helped offset event expenses.

Following the gala dinner, many guests retired to the marquee for a final drink or two, a bit of dancing, and continued camaraderie before eventually returning to their caravans or nearby accommodations.

The warm hospitality continued Sunday morning with another delicious assortment of breakfast offerings prepared by the Lanni and Ross families. The maniabilité course, designed by Alan Ross, featured 20 gates arranged in the shape of the Arabic numerals ‘1-0’ to commemorate the event’s 10th anniversary — a particularly clever and fitting design.

Using a creative back-to-back numbering strategy, the course required only 10 pairs of driving cones while still producing a full 20-gate course over 600 meters. Timing calculations were straightforward, with most divisions set at 200 meters per minute. Despite its elegant design, the course proved deceptively challenging, with 11 balls displaced and five competitors incurring time penalties.

With the completion of the maniabilité phase, the division champions and specialty award recipients were officially decided. The prize-giving ceremony featured competitors returning to the arena, with the overall championship awarded to Gilly Chippendale and reserve champion honors going to Laura Chaffe. Glamis Castle General Manager Steven Cumming and Glamis Castle Event Manager Roy Scott assisted with the presentation of awards, in recognition of the castle’s continued support and hospitality throughout the weekend.

The Best Gentleman Whip award was presented to Russell Hand of Telford, driving the pair of KWPN horses Attitude and Blackie to a circa-1900 Beaufort Phaeton built by Hooper & Company. The Best Young Whip award went to Sophie Moore of Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, driving the Shetland pair Clothie Humbell and Clothie Night Idiot to a modern Fenix dogcart. The Best Scottish award was presented to Joyce Simpson of Strathearn, Perth and Kinross, showing the Welsh/Hackney cross tandem Bradley and Clive to a Ralli Cart by Smith & Garvock of Aberdeen.

There was widespread praise and recognition not only for the competitors and their equines, but also for the grooms, support crews, and the tremendous volunteer corps whose efforts made the event possible. Many of the volunteers are longtime friends and acquaintances of Sandy and Richard Lanni and Alan Ross, each bringing unique talents that contributed to the success of the competition — from retired police officers stewarding road crossings to mathematicians expertly managing the complex scoring systems required for an Attelage event.

As the final awards were presented and competitors prepared for their journeys home, there was a shared sense that the 10th Anniversary CIAT Glamis Attelage de Tradition had been something truly special. During the prize-giving ceremony, Rosemary Neale offered heartfelt thanks to the Ross and Lanni families for their vision, dedication, and extraordinary hospitality throughout the weekend. Her remarks echoed the sentiments shared throughout the event: while the magnificent setting of Glamis Castle provides an unforgettable backdrop, it is ultimately the people behind the scenes — the volunteers, competitors, officials, and friends old and new — who create the spirit that makes the event such a success.

The 2026 Glamis Attelage de Tradition was not simply a competition, but a celebration of tradition, friendship, horsemanship, and the enduring sense of community that defines the world of carriage driving.

More photographs from the event can be found at Fiona Brims Photography

CIAT GLAMIS CASTLE PRIZEGIVING 2026

CLASS A1 – SINGLE PONY

FIRST                     GILLY CHIPPENDALE                                       SUPREME CHAMPION

SECOND               LIZ HARCOMBE                

THIRD                   SUSAN DON

FOURTH               VICKY LARGUE

CLASS A2 – SINGLE HORSE

 FIRST                     LIZ JARMAN

 SECOND               ELINOR BOSANQUET

CLASS A4 – HORSE PAIRS

FIRST                     RUSSELL HAND

SECOND               ALAN MCINDOE

THIRD                   EWAN MACINNES                                          

CLASS A5 – TANDEMS

FIRST                     JOYCE SIMPSON              

SECOND               MARK JUNIPER                                                

CLASS A7 – VERY SMALL PONY

FIRST                     LAURA CHAFFE                                                 RESERVE CHAMPION

SECOND               TOOTS CROMARTY

THIRD                   BRENDA LAING

FOURTH               SOPHIE MOORE

BEST PRESENTATION – GILLY CHIPPENDALE

BEST SHETLAND – BRENDA LAING

BEST SCOTTISH – TOOTS CROMARTY

BEST YOUNG DRIVER – SOPHIE MOORE

BEST LADY WHIP – GILLY CHIPPENDALE

BEST GENTLEMEN WHIP – RUSSELL HAND

BEST CONES – SUSAN DON

BEST REIN HANDLING – JOYCE SIMPSON