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Ninety seconds on Castle of Mey
Yes, in season. The Queen Mother gave the castle to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust in 1996 with an endowment, and the Trust, a Scottish charity, now opens the castle, gardens and grounds to visitors.
As of 2026, the castle and gardens open Wednesday to Sunday from 1 May to 30 September. The whole site closes completely from 24 July to 11 August inclusive, and the castle itself opens at 11.00.
No. Photography is not allowed inside the castle. The Gift Shop in the Visitor Centre sells the castle guide book, alongside A Taste of Mey cookbook, for a record of the house.
Partly. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds, but not in the castle, the Animal Centre or the walled garden, unless they are assistance dogs. Livestock graze nearby, and cows with calves can react unpredictably to dogs.
About 23 km, along the A836 as it follows the coastline from Thurso. The nearest train station is at Thurso, roughly the same distance away, and a bus or car is needed to cover the rest.
Not inside the castle, where wheelchair access is not currently possible. Visitors who find walking difficult can ask at the ticket office for permission to park closer to the castle entrance.
Her wellingtons still stand by the door. Seven rooms of the Queen Mother's own summer house are open to visitors, full of her everyday things, beside a walled garden and an Animal Centre.
Seen from a distance, the turrets are what catch the eye. This 16th-century Z-plan castle stands on rising ground about 370 metres from the shore, looking over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.
Look up at the large turret, whose parapet is supported on winged cherub heads. Lower down, gun slits pierce the ground floor and the angles of the tower.
The Queen Mother bought it in poor condition in 1952 and restored the castle and its gardens.
Inside, a table by the door holds a collection of sea shells.
The Butler's Pantry still has all its 1950s electrical equipment, fridge and heating oven included. Handmade gifts sit around her sitting room, among them a shell-covered bottle made into a lamp.
Outside, the Great Wall of Mey, 3.7 metres high, shields the walled garden from gales and salt spray. In the Animal Centre, Buff Orpington hens, a breed she kept, take pride of place.
Park in front of the Visitor Centre and buy your ticket on the day in its Gift Shop. The castle is a short walk from the car park.
Stretch your legs in the walled garden before you go in, where roses are among the plants grown. Inside the castle you see seven rooms: Front Hall, Library, Equerry's Room, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Butler's Pantry and Kitchen.
Guides in each room tell stories of the Queen Mother's years here. The visit ends at the original front door, which lets you out into the courtyard.
If English is not your first language, pick up a translation of the castle information sheet. It comes in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
If you are hard of hearing, ask at the Gift Shop for the English translation of the tour. The tearoom in the Visitor Centre offers gluten-free and vegetarian food on request.
John o' Groats lies about 10 km east along the A836, the same coast road, for its harbour and signpost.
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