The remarkable story behind one of the Royal Family’s most beloved homes

Tucked away on Scotland’s dramatic north coast, the Castle of Mey is one of the Royal Family’s most cherished private residences. Saved from ruin by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 1950s, the castle became her beloved Highland retreat and remains closely associated with King Charles III today.

Where is the Castle of Mey?

The Castle of Mey stands in Caithness, overlooking the Pentland Firth on the northernmost mainland coast of Scotland. On a clear day, visitors can see the Orkney Islands from the castle grounds.

It lies around four-and-a-half hours’ drive from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, another of the Royal Family’s Scottish homes.

When was it built?

The castle was built between 1566 and 1572 on land belonging to the Bishops of Caithness, although historians believe an earlier building may have stood on the site.

Originally known as the Castle of Mey, it was later renamed Barrogill Castle by successive owners, with alterations made over the centuries.

How did it become a royal residence?

Following the death of King George VI in February 1952, the recently widowed Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother sought a peaceful retreat in the far north of Scotland. Later that year, she purchased the semi-derelict Barrogill Castle.

The Queen Mother embarked on an extensive restoration programme, removing many of the Victorian alterations, restoring the building’s original character and reinstating its historic name, the Castle of Mey.

The project included installing electricity and running water, repairing the structure, making it weatherproof and completely redecorating the interiors. Restoration work was completed in 1960 with the refurbishment of the west wing.

The Queen Mother also displayed portraits of many of the castle’s previous owners, preserving its long and colourful history.

The Queen Mother’s favourite Scottish retreat

From 1955 onwards, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother spent several weeks at the Castle of Mey each August, later also making visits in October. It quickly became one of her favourite homes, offering privacy and spectacular coastal scenery.

She continued visiting the castle almost every year until October 2001, just months before her death in March 2002 at the age of 101.

The Castle of Mey today

Following the Queen Mother’s death, ownership of the castle passed to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. Since 2019, the estate has been managed by The King’s Foundation, which oversees its conservation and public access.

King Charles III has continued his grandmother’s tradition of spending the first week of August at the Castle of Mey each year. During these private stays, the castle closes briefly before reopening to visitors.

The King has also left his own mark on the estate. In 2005, he and Queen Camilla, then the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, planted two sycamore trees at the front of the castle. More recently, he planted the specially cultivated King’s Rose in the Diamond Jubilee Rose Garden, alongside the same rose being introduced at Dumfries House and Highgrove.

Today, the Castle of Mey welcomes visitors during the spring and summer months, allowing the public to explore the beautifully restored interiors, colourful gardens and the spectacular coastal landscape that captivated the Queen Mother for almost half a century.