There’s something very special about the setting of the first British AIAT* event of the year the historic castle and estate, Glamis in Angus, Scotland.  It’s ‘a fairytale location’ according to organiser Richard Lanni, who is also ramping up the celebrations to mark the 10^th anniversary of what is widely considered to be the ‘gold standard’ CIAT* in the UK, if not worldwide.

A GLOBAL APPEAL

Such is the allure of the location on the eastern side of central Scotland that some competitors will travel hundreds of miles to be there, from as far afield as Wales and the South of England.  It also draws support from the wider overseas AIAT ‘community’ and because of the anniversary, Richard has invited three international judges to oversee the two days of competition which are the presentation, routier (road drive with up to five challenges) and maniabilté (cones).

Tom Burgess from Virginia, USA will combine attending Glamis with his sponsorship commitments at Royal Windsor the following week, where he also drives in the BDS Meet.  President of the Jury is Enzo Calvi from Italy, and the third judge is Eduardo Mira Cruz from Lisbon, Portugal, who has been to Glamis before.

A FAMOUS SETTING

Best known as the ancestral home of the late HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s family, Glamis has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since King Robert II granted the Thanage of Glamis to Sir John Lyon in 1372 (the family later became Bowes-Lyon).  The castle was built in the 1400s and has seen many upheavals and history-making activity, including hosting the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots.  It’s also thought that Glamis provided inspiration for Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish play’ Macbeth.  A tour of the castle reveals more stories and the requisite ghosts and haunted areas.  For the purposes of a driving event, it provides a stunning backdrop to the presentation judging in the courtyard, and an incredible sight upon arrival for weary travellers as they approach down the drive.

Competitors, officials and visitors to Glamis CIAT can enjoy some of the fabulous rooms as they step inside while being ‘piped in’ for the gala dinner on the Saturday night.  Richard has requested that everyone ‘wears a little tartan’ to honour the occasion.  The meal is held in the state dining room which has capacity for 80, and there is even rumoured to be a cake large enough to feed everyone.

A PRIVILEGE

Most of all, Richard feels that ‘it’s a privilege’ to be at Glamis and he said that after a wet winter then sunny spring, everything is looking fabulous.  Competitors get the chance to step off the tourist trail as they go through the woods and estate on the routier, which can be between 12-17 km, or shorter for donkeys or small ponies at around 9 km.  One of the traditional difficulties or ‘PCs’ that is unique to Glamis is where turnouts have to try and drive in a straight line between two points while passing a piper playing the bagpipes.  Of the five PCs, there is likely to be the infamous ‘Champagne Challenge’ which gained notoriety after HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh was pictured in the national newspapers while attempting it at Sandringham in 2024, the glass clenched between her teeth, as she drove one of the late Prince Philip’s Fells.

PLANNING

Although for Richard running Glamis is by now a ‘well-oiled machine’, and he is renowned for his organisational skills beyond AIAT, he is part of an efficient team which includes his wife Sandi.  Always cheerful and with a ‘nothing is too much trouble’ attitude, Sandi and her crew are in charge of the catering.  From the moment anyone arrives at Glamis, there’s plenty of tea, cake and opportunities to sit down and enjoy some excellent meals.  Richard’s daughter Alex helps with the scoring and admin, and his brother Brian also helps Sandi. Other family members are also roped in to host officials and help with the practicalities.

While it’s glorious to be at somewhere like Glamis, it’s what we call a ‘green field site’ which means that there is no infrastructure in place for an equestrian event.  Everything has to be brought onto the estate and built for the weekend, which inevitably leads to substantial overheads on top of the hiring of the venue.  Temporary stables need to be sourced, and Richard is grateful to work with a local company who are based nearby; the cones arena must be laid out and the course designed and built.  Then there’s all the food and drink to feed in the region of 100 people, from Friday night to Sunday teatime.

Another key figure at any event of this type is the Technical Delegate and this year it’s Alan Ross from Aberdeenshire.  Alan began his AIAT involvement as a competitor, particularly enjoying driving his tandem of coloured mares, and he has in the past juggled driving (two turnouts in 2024!) with being TD.  However, he admitted recently that it’s tough to manage competing while being a decision making official, so he’s going to concentrate on being the TD this year.

A WARM WELCOME

Whatever the weather (and this is Scotland) anyone who travels to the Glamis CIAT will be assured of a warm welcome.  The unique scenery of the gentle Angus hills is the ideal backdrop for the many interesting, traditional type turnouts as they pass in front of the castle or on the estate tracks, lined with blooming rhododendron bushes.  Currently Richard estimates there will be 18 turnouts across the classes, and he is delighted that people have committed to come because frankly, for many it is a difficult and costly time, particularly with the sky-high fuel prices.

Having both judged and commentated at Glamis, I can heartily recommend paying a visit while the event is on.  My stepfather Ewan MacInnes is a stalwart supporter and has dusted off his varnished Four-wheeled Dog Cart and is fine tuning his pair of dark bay Lipizzaners who are well practiced at AIAT competitions.  He will be joined by Andrew Hogg who is normally based at the Royal Mews in Windsor, and whose family have helped Richard and the team on many occasions.

The ethos of AIAT is to promote the use of traditional carriages and turnouts.  The schedule includes a nod to SLO and a reminder that the ratio of the carriage, contents and passengers to the horse(s) should not exceed 1:1.

Not only is Glamis glorious, but the opportunity to meet friends and like-minded enthusiasts from around the world, while viewing a wide range of immaculately presented turnouts, is worth the journey.

For more information, visit Home – https://attelagedetradition.co.uk/home/

*AIAT – Association Internationale d’Attelage de Tradition – in French

*CIAT – Concours International d’Attelage de Tradition – the term for an individual competition

Attelage de Tradition is the premier equestrian event dedicated to encouraging the use of original vehicles and the promotion of traditional carriage driving. By showcasing original, antique carriages and well-trained harness horses and ponies, this international competition preserves the elegance and heritage of a bygone era. More than just a sport, it is a worldwide community for enthusiasts that celebrates history, craftsmanship, and the enduring bond between horse and driver.