Castle of Mey

The Castle of Mey is a Gothic Revival manor house on the northernmost coast of Scotland in Caithness. Medieval towers and fortified walls rise above gardens that look out toward the Orkney Islands.

George Sinclair, fourth Earl of Caithness, commissioned the three-story fortress between 1566 and 1572 on earlier fortification grounds. In the 20th century, the Queen Mother acquired the property and transformed it into a summer retreat.

The Z-plan layout shows how Scottish noble families in the 16th century combined living comfort with defense. The projecting southeast wing and square northwest tower together form this typical shape found at many manor houses across the country.

The estate opens from May through September, Wednesday to Sunday, with guided tours starting at 11 AM and final entry at 3 PM. The gardens remain accessible even in cool coastal winds, so warm clothing is recommended.

The former stables at Granary Lodge have been converted into luxury accommodation with ten bedrooms and Scottish design elements. Guests can stay in the historic service buildings while visiting the main castle.

Location: Highland

Location: Canisbay

Inception: 1566

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Address: Thurso KW14 8XH

Website: https://castleofmey.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 58.64703,-3.22448

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00