Pictured: Prince Charles in front of the Castle of Mey
The Castle of Mey, built in the mid-16th Century by George, the 4th Earl of Caithness, was visited three centuries later by HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who fell in love with the fortress, despite its shabby condition.
She had seen the castle, which was then known as Barrogill Castle, in 1952 While you were at the House of the Northern Gate in Dunnet Head.
Her Majesty bought it for £100 that year and changed its name back to The Castle of Mey, beginning the renovation and restoration of the landmark, along with its gardens and parklands, which reached about 30 acres.
Three days a year, she opened the gardens to help Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. A tradition that trustees continue.
Three weeks in August saw the Queen Mother stay at the castle, and then return to her home for approximately ten more days.
It was only 30 acres in size when the castle was built, and was therefore not surrounded by any parks or “policies” as these are often called.
Between 1953 and 1955, the castle and its policies and gardens were in poor condition. However, The Queen Mother restored them all.
On June 11, 1996, the Castle of Mey Trust was established, with The Prince of Wales as president, with the aim of managing the property.
In 2002, to make it financially sustainable, the Trust allowed the castle to be used for five months every summer.
Charles is staying for two weeks at the Castle of Mey in Scotland on the North coast of Scotland (pictured).
Maintenance work, including roof repairs, rewiring of the interior and lime harling of the exterior, was completed by the Trust in 2018, and on 1 January 2019, stewardship of the Trust passed to The Prince’s Foundation.
Charles Prince of Wales, officially known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, is the president of the Foundation.
He has served as the President of Castle of Mey Trust since 2019 and the sole Trustee of that Trustee through the Foundation.
On the castle’s web site, a spokesperson wrote: “HRH Prince Charles, Duke Of Rothesay has demonstrated great dedication to furthering Trust objectives as President. He visits at least one time per year and rents the castle for just a few hours each August.
“He has done so much for us and we appreciate his ongoing support.”
A report from January 2021 claimed the Castle of Mey was valued only at £1million – a significant mark-up from its £100 price tag 70 years ago, but still less than the £1.7million average for a terraced property in west London.