The Queen Mother's luxurious castle in Scotland is set to become one of the world's most exclusive holiday homes. The 30-room Castle of Mey is to be opened for weekly holiday lets and corporate events when it is not open to the public.
The castle, on the shores of Pentland Firth in Caithness, is likely to become a much sought-after venue for wealthy tourists and businessmen. The Queen Mother's well-known affection for the property stretches back some 50 years.
She lovingly restored the 16th century property after the death of her husband George VI. And shortly before her own passing, she set up a trust to ensure her beloved home would benefit the people of Caithness.
"Last summer we had 23,000 visitors and were pleasantly surprised by the interest and build-up in the number of tourists, " said her lifelong friend Viscount Thurso, who is one of the trustees. "But we don't know how big a visitor attraction the castle will be in the long run. We are taking a gently, gently approach but expect annual visitor numbers to settle back and be lower, so we are looking at other sources of revenue.
"One area we are investigating is renting out the castle for weekly holiday lets and corporate events when it is not open to the public." It was the Queen Mother herself who originally planned for her home to be opened to the public. It is thought it will be rented out during the low-season, before spring and in late autumn.
The revenue raised from visitors last summer has already been channelled into maintaining the castle and its two-acre walled garden. The Castle of Mey is open to the public from May 24 to October 12, except for the first two weeks of August when Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles come to attend the highland games.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
