The Castle of Mey in Caithness, once the residence of The Queen Mother, was reportedly purchased by the late monarch for between £1 and £100 in 1952.
Following the death of her husband, King George VI, The Queen Mother bought the castle and spent three weeks there each August and an additional 10 days in October.
Although a beloved retreat for The Queen Mother, Princess Margaret was less fond of it, dismissing it as “mummy’s drafty castle” and a “horrible place.”
Today, the Castle of Mey is a favorite getaway for King Charles. This summer, the 75-year-old opened the castle to the public for an exclusive dining experience. While he still uses it as a holiday retreat, visitors can now book a Champagne tour of the 16th-century castle for groups of up to 12, followed by a bespoke three-course meal prepared by a local chef.
Guests dine at The King’s Table in the Dining Room, which His Majesty still uses, and have the option to enjoy whiskey or gin tasting in the Drawing Room, accompanied by live music from a piper.
Although King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the castle regularly, it has been open to the public since 2002, after The Queen Mother’s passing.
The property is accessible to visitors seven days a week from May to September, with exceptions for royal holidays in late July and early August. Guests can also stay overnight at the luxury Granary Lodge, a five-star guesthouse overlooking the Pentland Firth, available from April to October.
