Castle of Mey

Travel 55 miles north of Brora and located between Thurso and John O'Groats, the castle looks out to sea across the Pentland Firth.
Built as a Z-plan castle between 1566 and 1572 by the fourth Earl of Caithness, it was bought from Captain Imbert-Terry by the Queen Mother in 1952 (after her husband died). The castle was then in a state of disrepair and renovation work was required.
In September 1996 she handed the castle, its 2000 acre estate and her prize-winning herd of Aberdeen Angus over to a charitable trust to make their future secure.
The gardens were one of her favourite places and it is said that she often used to head straight to them on arrival during her annual August and October visits.

For 2009, the Castle and Gardens will be open to visitors at Easter in the afternoons, and then daily from 1st May to 29th July inclusive and from 12th August to 30th September inclusive. (Closed from 30th July to 11th August inclusive).
Opening times are from 10.30am until 4pm.
Visitor centre with tearoom, toilets and gift shop. Rated 5 stars by the tourist board.
The Animal Centre in the old granary includes various farm animals for children to see.

If you don't have a car, you can visit the castle on a day trip from Inverness thanks to Nor'West Tours on Saturdays 22 August; 5 & 19 September 2009.

Check out the Royal Gallery at the Castle Arms Hotel in Mey and see their collection of photos of the royal family.
Highland Games are held in the village at Queen's Park in August.