Business of the month: Castle of Mey Castle and Gardens
Once the home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The Castle of Mey is the most northerly castle on mainland Britain and is afforded beautiful views across the Pentland Firth to Orkney. We caught up with Shirley, Managing Director of the Castle of Mey to find out what they offer our NC500 visitors during their visit for 2019!
Castle of Mey
1. Hello Shirley! What makes The Castle of Mey the perfect stopping point for those travelling on the North Coast 500?
Well, what better place to stop than when you have got to the top of the country! The views across the Pentland Firth towards Orkney are second to none and never one we take for granted. The Castle and Gardens of Mey really are a hidden gem, with a wealth of interest for visitors. A 16th Century Z plan Castle which was originally the seat of the Sinclair’s, it was purchased by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1952. This was to be the only home she ever owned and in 1996 she made it a Scottish Charity for the benefit of education, farming and the community. Schools groups are allowed in free of charge in May and June to allow them to learn about the Castle itself, the gardens and the animal centre – it is always a delight to see the little ones enjoying their days with us.
2. Could you tell us more about each attraction?
a) The Castle
You can enjoy either a conducted tour or ‘freeflow’ where guides are in every room. The guides are very interactive and give some lovely stories of the Castle as a ‘living home’.
b) The Gardens
The walled gardens have undergone some development over the last few months, with new beds at the South end which are a wonderful addition to the established garden. Over the winter we have been busy laying some new paths in the East Garden to encourage more visitors to see the ‘wilder’ part of the grounds.
c) Animal Centre
The Animal Centre is a wonderful opportunity for young and old alike to feed lambs, hold young chicks and really interact with the animals who live there. Our donkey Alice is the resident ‘star’ and is very partial to mints and apples.
d) Visitor centre
Our visitor centre has a wonderful tearoom offering fresh, homemade fare at very reasonable prices. Again, the views from the tearoom are breathtaking. The shop offers an array of lovely gift items to suit all price bands.
3. ..And, how do you cater to small groups doing the North Coast 500?
We welcome everyone doing the NC500, small groups and individuals alike. I would always ask any groups to get in touch with us prior to their visits so we can give them advice on best timings to make their time with us as pleasant as possible.
4. What’s new for 2019?
On the 1st May we officially opened The Granary Lodge which is a wonderful 10 roomed bed and breakfast facility right here in the Castle Grounds! Over a two year period our old Granary has been picked and repointed using traditional methods and now hosts the 10 new bedrooms rooms which have been beautifully furnished to a very high standard. The Granary Lodge will be open all year round and will be a huge asset to the Castle. If anyone was doing the NC500 it would certainly be a wonderful point to stop off and spend a night.
Photos: The Granary Lodge by John Baikie
5. As a ‘Mey girl born and bred’, can you tell our NC500 visitors what sort of sights and activities does the surrounding area offer?
You can’t live in this part of the County and not appreciate the coastline – it has rocky shores as well as long expanses of sandy beaches such as Dunnet Beach. These outdoor spaces offer a fantastic opportunity for running, swimming, horse riding, wind surfing, bird watching, camping and dog walking to mention just a few things. These can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Photos: Dunnet Head, Dunnet Beach, Duncansby Stacks, Keiss Castle
6. And finally, what makes the Castle of Mey a romantic, unique destination for visitors ‘special day’…
I would have to say the location, the views, its history and the wonderful relaxed atmosphere that our guests experience – along with the dedication of all the staff ensuring all our visitors have the ‘special day’ they deserve.
