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A red sandstone castle with round turrets and clustered chimneys rises behind a walled forecourt, a wide lawn spreading in front.
Caithness

Castle & Gardens of Mey

The Queen Mother's Highland home on the Pentland Firth, a turreted castle with a walled garden, an animal centre and a tearoom, open in summer.

Welcome

On the far north coast of Caithness, looking out across the Pentland Firth to Orkney, stands a castle of warm red stone with round turrets and clusters of chimneys.

It was the Highland home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and it is now cared for by a trust in her name.

The castle was built by the Sinclair Earls of Caithness in the 1500s and was their seat for a century, but by 1952 it was in a sorry state. The Queen Mother saw it that year while staying at Dunnet Head nearby, bought it, restored it and gave back its old name, the Castle of Mey. She came every August and October for the rest of her life.

Inside, you see the rooms of her Highland home. Outside is the walled garden she loved, as well as an animal centre, and a tearoom using produce from the garden. The castle opens from May to September, Wednesday to Sunday.

A short drive awayBay of SannickA sandy bay past John o' Groats.16 min by roadSee itBay of Sannick
Before you go

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1 May to 30 September.

The castle opens at 11am, last entry 3pm; the gardens, animal centre and tearoom from 10.30am to 4pm. Tickets on the day; adults £18.30.

Open
Wed to Sun, May to September.
Castle
11am; last entry 3pm.
Adults
£18.30, castle and gardens.
Where it is

On the north coast of Caithness near Mey, between Thurso and John o' Groats, above the Pentland Firth.

Close byMey.
  1. A surf lesson on Dunnet beach seen from the air, learners on boards in the white water along the long sands.Surfing in Caithness7 miles 15 min by road
  2. Dunnet BeachDunnet Beach7 miles 12 min by road
  3. John o' GroatsJohn o' Groats7 miles 14 min by road
  4. Castle of Old WickCastle of Old WickThe oldest castle in Caithness.25 miles 46 min by road
  5. Castle Sinclair GirnigoeCastle Sinclair GirnigoeThe Sinclairs' clifftop castle.28 miles 54 min by road
Directions
A turreted white mansion with stepped gables and tall chimneys stands behind a low stone wall on a lawn.DunnetHouse of the Northern GateSleeps 18 · 6.3 miles
Whisky shelves and a fridge beside signs for Café Groats and Ready To EatAttractionsThe Storehouse7.7 miles
Grassy dunes overlook a curved sandy beach with rocky cliffs beyondAttractionsBay of Sannick8.2 miles
Sheer cliffs edge grassy headland above churning grey seaAttractionsDunnet Head8.8 miles
Castletown Chip Shop, tel 01847 821778, on a quiet street cornerRestaurantsCastletown Chip Shop8.8 miles
White lighthouse tower with black lantern room rising behind a stone wallAttractionsDunnet Head Lighthouse8.9 miles
Jagged sea stacks rise from the water beside grassy coastal cliffsAttractionsDuncansby Head9.5 miles
Ruined castle towers atop layered rock cliffs above the seaAttractionsKeiss Castle15 miles
The Daily for 18 October, from Scotland with love. Golden-hour light catches a shadowed mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland in the foreground

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

A turreted white mansion with stepped gables and tall chimneys stands behind a low stone wall on a lawn.House of the Northern Gate
  • Sleeps 18
  • In Dunnet
  • 5 miles from the Castle of Mey
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in CaithnessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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