Castle of Mey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle of Mey |
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Castle of Mey (2014)
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| Former names | Barrogill Castle |
| General information | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 58°38′49″N 3°13′29″W / 58.64708°N 3.22479°W |
| Construction started | 1566 |
| Completed | 1572 |
| Renovated | 1950s |
| Owner | Castle of Mey Trust |
The Castle of Mey is a historic castle located in Caithness, on the northern coast of Scotland. It's about 6 miles (10 km) west of John o' Groats. On clear days, you can see the Orkney Islands from the castle. For a while, it was also known as Barrogill Castle.
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History of the Castle of Mey
The land where the Castle of Mey stands once belonged to the Bishops of Caithness. The castle itself was built between 1566 and 1572. It was likely built by the 4th Earl of Caithness. Some people think it might have been built on the site of an even older fort.
The castle was originally a type of building called a Z-plan tower house. It had three floors, with a wing sticking out on the south-east side. There was also a square tower on the north-west side. The castle later became the main home for the Earls of Caithness.
Over time, the castle's name was changed to Barrogill. It was made bigger several times in the 1600s and 1700s. In 1821, it was updated in the Tudor Gothic style. This work was designed by William Burn. In 1889, the castle left the Sinclair family. It was later bought by Captain Frederic Bouhier Imbert-Terry in 1929.
During the Second World War, the castle was used as a place for officers to rest. By 1950, only the main tower could be lived in. The farms around the estate were sold off.
A Royal Holiday Home
In 1952, Barrogill Castle was in very bad shape. That year, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother bought the estate. She was the widow of King George VI, who had passed away earlier.
The Queen Mother decided to bring the castle back to life as her holiday home. She removed some of the changes made in the 1800s. She also gave the castle its original name back: Castle of Mey. As part of the repairs, the castle got electricity and running water for the first time.
More work was done between 1953 and 1954. This made sure the castle was protected from the weather and comfortable to live in. The inside of the castle was also updated over the next few years. The west wing was fully repaired by 1960.
The Queen Mother loved the castle. She hung portraits of its previous owners, the Earls of Caithness, inside. She visited the castle regularly every August and October. Her last visit was in October 2001, before she passed away in March 2002.
In 1996, the Queen Mother gave the castle and its farm to a group called the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. Since her death, the Trust has opened the castle and its gardens to the public. You can visit from May 1st to September 30th each year. However, it closes for about ten days in late July and early August. This is when King Charles III and Queen Camilla usually stay at the castle. In 2007, a new Visitor Centre opened, and over 29,000 people visited that year.
The Castle of Mey Trust's Work
The Castle of Mey Trust was officially started in 1996. Its president was then Prince Charles, who is now King Charles III. The Trust's job is to look after the castle and its land. Its goals include:
- Keeping the building safe for the future.
- Helping people learn about history and architecture.
- Protecting special breeds of cows (Aberdeen Angus) and sheep (Cheviot).
- Starting projects that help the local community.
After 2002, the Trust started opening the castle to visitors for five months each summer. This helps to earn money to keep the property running. In 2018, almost 30,000 people visited the castle.
The Trust has many people who help, including trustees and honorary patrons. They all work to maintain and promote the castle. In 2018, the Trust completed important work like fixing the roof and updating the electrical wiring. They also repaired the outside walls using a special plaster called lime harling.
New Leadership
On January 1, 2019, the Castle of Mey Trust became part of The Prince's Foundation. King Charles III is the president of this Foundation. This means he is now also the main person in charge of the Castle of Mey Trust. The Foundation has said it will continue the Trust's important goals. They want to keep King Charles's grandmother's legacy alive.
The Granary Lodge Bed and Breakfast
In May 2019, King Charles III officially opened a new building called Granary Lodge. It's a bed and breakfast with 10 rooms, located on the castle grounds. This new building was created by combining the old stables and granary. When it was being planned, they decided to use "eco-heating" and local materials. They also hired local craftspeople for the work.
Granary Lodge is one of the first projects under The Prince's Foundation's leadership. The Trust owns and runs the business. All the money earned from Granary Lodge helps to maintain the castle and the estate as a tourist spot.
Open to the Public
In January 2023, it was announced that the castle tearoom would be open to the public every Tuesday until March. It was used as a warming centre. This was a special project by The Prince's Foundation to help the community.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Mey para niños
