Castle of Mey

Castle of Mey from the North-west

Photograph by Colin Smith. Some rights reserved. (view original image)

Castle of Mey

Photograph by Dorcas Sinclair. Some rights reserved. (view original image)

Castle of Mey courtyard and main front entrance to the castle.

Photograph by Bill Henderson. Some rights reserved. (view original image)

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CASTLE OF MEY FACTS

Location
near East Mey, Caithness

Description
The Castle of Mey (formerly known as Barrogill Castle) is situated in Caithness on the north coast of Scotland. It is about six miles west of John o' Groats. In clear weather there are views north to the Orkney Islands. The castle was purchased by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1952. She restored the castle for use as a holiday home and regularly visited it from 1955 until her death in 2002. In July 1996 The Queen Mother transferred ownership of the property to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. The castle and garden is now open to the public as a popular tourist attraction. A new Visitors Centre was opened in 2007.

Date
16th century

Notable Residents
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Legends
The castle is reputedly haunted by The Green Lady, ghost of Elizabeth Sinclair, the daughter of the 5th Earl of Caithness. Apparently, the Earl was not impressed when he found out his daughter had fallen in love with a servant, and locked here up in a castle attic. The heartbroken Elizabeth committed suicide by jumping from a castle window.

Links
Castle of Mey

Other Castles in the Area
Ackergill Tower
Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe