The Castle & Gardens of Mey

Welcome to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, a place of extraordinary charm and historical significance situated on the very northern edge of mainland Scotland. As we stand before this iconic Z-plan castle, we are looking at a…

We begin our tour in the Walled Garden, which is perhaps the most impressive testament to the Queen Mother's vision for Mey. In this northern latitude, where the wind can be ferocious and the soil salt-sprayed, creating a lush…

Turning our attention to the castle itself, we see a classic example of sixteenth-century Scottish architectural design. The Z-plan layout—consisting of a central rectangular block with towers at diagonally opposite corners—was a…

A short walk from the castle brings us to the Animal Center, a relatively new addition to the estate that has become a favorite for families. This center reflects the Queen Mother’s love for animals and her desire to make the…

We now move to the northernmost part of the grounds, which offers a spectacular vantage point overlooking the Pentland Firth. This stretch of water is notorious for having some of the strongest tidal currents in the world, as the…

Before we conclude our visit, we must stop at the Castle Cafe, which is housed in a beautifully converted building on the grounds. The cafe is renowned for its high-quality, locally sourced food, and it serves as another…

As we walk toward the edge of the currently managed grounds, we can appreciate the wider estate. When the Queen Mother first purchased the castle, the grounds were much smaller. …

As we conclude our tour of the Castle and Gardens of Mey, we return to the entrance, having experienced the unique magic of this northern sanctuary. We have seen how a sixteenth-century ruin was transformed into a beloved family…