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The Castle of Mey, Scotland

BRIEF HISTORY
Her Majesty The Queen Mother bought the Castle and Gardens in 1952 after the death of her husband, King George VI and spent several years renovating it and developing the gardens.

It was originally built by George, the 4th Earl of Caithness, for his second son William Sinclair, in the 16th century but after both William and his older brother John were murdered, the third son, George Sinclair inherited the castle and founded the family of the Sinclairs of Mey. He succeeded to the Earldom in 1789 and changed the name of the castle to Barrogill Castle. The castle then became the seat of the Earls of Caithness for the next one hundred years. George, the fifteenth Earl died at the age of 30; he had never married and having no children, left the castle to his friend F G Heathcote, on condition that he changed his name to Sinclair. His widow eventually sold it to Captain F B Imbert-Terry, who subsequently sold it to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1952.

HORTICULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Castle and Gardens of Mey are situated on the North coast of Britain, just a few miles from the most Northerly point in Britain, Dunnet Head. It is also about 10 miles from John O’Groats. It’s position has created a unique challenge to the Castle gardeners over the years. Severe winter gales in this remote part of the country can pluck a cabbage from the earth and fling it 60 feet! Without the 12-foot high 'Great Wall of Mey', the working garden, comprising around two acres, would not enjoy protection from the fierce winds and salt spray that blow in from the Pentland Firth.

The garden is full of marigolds, pansies, dahlias, primulas and nasturtiums, while old-fashioned shrub roses and climbers form the highlights of the Shell Garden. The Queen Mother’s favourite old rose, Albertine, features here. Originally the gardens were intended to be at their best in August and October when the Queen Mother visited but the season has gradually been extended to make the gardens more attractive for visitors now that they are open to the public. With the encouragement of the Duke of Rothesay, two new 'E' shaped rosebeds have now been created in the walled garden - a fitting memorial to Her Majesty's love of roses. Visitors are impressed by the wide variety of fruit and vegetables grown here, varieties all chosen for their resistance to wind and salt. Raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, apples, currants, potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, turnips, onions and leeks all thrive here and, happily, the exotic globe artichoke does extremely well too!

OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO
There is also an Animal Centre based in the old Granary Building in the grounds and the walled garden now has a small tower that gives visitors a superb view of the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands. The Old Man of Hoy is visible from here. As well as the walled garden there is the East garden that provides a forest walk with a more ‘wild’ experience and the grounds are ideal for a picnic on a nice day.

Private garden tours starting at 4.00 pm with the Head Gardener are available on 6 and 14 July, 17 and 25 August and 7 September 2011 at £8.50 per person. These tours must be booked and paid for in advance. Tel: 01847851531 to book.

FOOD AND DRINK
There is an excellent disabled friendly tearoom, shop and toilets in the grounds. The tearoom serves soup, sandwiches, baked potatoes, scones, cakes and desserts all day, with a hot meal of the day between 12 and 3.0 PM. As well as tea and coffee, a variety of soft drinks is available and there is a table licence for wine with a meal.

OPENING TIMES AND PRICES
Normal opening times for The Castle and Gardens of Mey will be from 1 May to 30 September 2011 inclusive but will be closed from 28 July to 8 August inclusive.

Prices 2011 Adult Senior Group Child Family

Castle, Garden & Grounds 9.75 8.75 8.75 5.00 25.00
Gardens & Grounds only 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 15.00

* Parking is free.

* Children under five are admitted free to all areas.
* Entrance to the shop and tearoom is free.
* A child ticket applies to children aged 5 to 16 years.
* A family ticket covers two adults with children.
* The gardens and grounds only tickets also give access to the animal centre.
* Dogs are not allowed in the walled garden, castle or animal centre but can be walked in the grounds and special provision is made for parking in shaded areas.

EMAIL: enquiries@castleofmey.org.uk

TEL: 01847 851467

POSTCODE:
KW14 8XH

FRIENDS
If you think you might visit us several times over the summer, you should consider becoming a Friend of the Castle of Mey. One of the benefits of becoming a Friend is that you will be allowed unlimited access to the castle, garden, grounds and animal centre during normal opening hours. Please refer to our Friends & Patrons page on our website for more details.

For PLACES TO STAY, please visit the links page on our website.

WEBSITE
www.castleofmey.org.uk