Here’s the thing about Patrick: he hated the spotlight. In an era of royal glamour, he preferred quiet walks. He once said (or so the rumor goes) that being an earl was “just a job, like being a postman.” Adorable logic.
He never married, which led to all sorts of gossip. Was he too married to the estate? Was he a secret romantic? We’ll never know. But his legacy is clear: he kept Glamis Castle from falling apart. That’s no small feat, considering the place has been standing since the 14th century.
Patrick Lyon, 3rd Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne (1643-1695) with his
He also had a dry, very Scottish sense of humor. Once, when a journalist asked him about the castle’s ghosts, he supposedly replied, “I haven’t seen any, but I’ve tripped over plenty of tourists looking for them.” Classic.
The Final Chapter
Patrick passed away in 1949, at age 65. He died just five years after becoming earl. Short reign, big impact. He left no children, so the title went to his younger brother, John. John’s son, Michael, is the current earl. But Patrick remains the soul of the story.
His death was quiet, just like his life. No fanfare. No state funeral. Just a burial on the estate grounds, near his beloved gardens. That’s how he would have wanted it.
So why should you care about this obscure earl? Because he reminds us that not every royal relative is a drama queen. Some are just good people who tend to their roses and let the world spin without them. Patrick Bowes Lyon was that guy.
Next time you see a photo of Glamis Castle, give a little nod to the 15th Earl. He’s the one in the muddy boots, probably smiling at a daffodil. Cheers to Patrick. A man who proved that being an earl isn’t always about power—it’s about presence.
