Il Castello di Mey: l'eredità della Regina Madre che Elisabetta II ha deciso di mettere in affitto

Era il castello di proprietà della regina madre Elisabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900-2002), il suo rifugio nella punta estrema della Scozia. Ma ora per coprire gli alti costi di gestione lo splendido maniero di Mey (nella foto) diventa la prima residenza reale a venire affittata. Come rivela il Mail on Sunday, la fondazione che lo amministra, di cui il principe Carlo è presidente, lo offre a clienti «selezionatissimi» per 50 mila sterline (62mila euro) a fine settimana 

The Castle of Mey (formerly Barrogill Castle) is located in Caithness, on the north coast of Scotland, about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of John o' Groats. In fine weather there are views from the castle north to the Orkney Islands.

Welcome To The Castle and Gardens of Mey

Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1901-2002), the late Queen Mother, first saw what was then Barrogill Castle in 1952, while mourning the death of her husband, King George VI Windsor.Falling for its isolated charm and hearing it was to be abandoned, she decided to save it. Having acquired the most northerly inhabited castle on the British mainland, The Queen Mother renovated and restored it and created the beautiful gardens you see today. For almost half a century she spent many happy summers here and shorter visits at other times of the year. The Castle and Gardens of Mey have held Visit Scotland's highest award of a 5 Star quality assurance grading every year since their first unannounced visit in 2007. Their annual assessments include all aspects of the castle, gardens, animal centre, gift shop and tearoom. This is a great accolade for the castle and visitor centre, and well-earned recognition for all the hard work and enthusiasm of the staff. We hope that you too will enjoy your visit to The Castle and Gardens of Mey, including the visitor centre and animal centre. The Castle of Mey was the property of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1952 until 1996, when Her Majesty generously gifted it with an endowment to the Trust. The castle is situated on the north coast of Caithness, in the parish of Canisbay, about 15 miles east of Thurso and six miles west of John O'Groats. It stands on rising ground about 400 yards from the seashore, overlooking the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Islands. It is thought that a fortified granary occupied the site originally. Constructed on a z-plan, the castle was built between 1566 and 1572. Seen from a distance, its turreted aspect is very striking. The jutting towers and corbelled turrets are typical of that period of the 16th century, particularly the chequered character of the corbelling of the smaller turrets. The parapet of the large turret is supported on winged cherub heads as corbels, similar to those on Carberry Tower, Midlothian. There are numerous gun slits throughout the ground floor, several in the angles of the tower and more at first-floor level. The round arched entrance to the courtyard, on the north aspect is unaltered. The walled garden and parkland to the west and the east border and parkland to the east are protected by the Great Wall of Mey - 12 feet high - which gives very necessary protection from the severe gales and salt spray. The gardens of Mey The Gardens When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother bought the Castle of Mey in 1952, the gardens had been neglected for some years and the head gardener James Sinclair and after him Sandy Webster did much to bring them back to their former glory. In 2000 Grant Napier became head gardener and gradually and successfully adapted the gardens so that there is more for the visitors to enjoy during the season when the gardens are open to the public. Gardening Consultant Day Howden has been giving input to help with extending the season. The gardens consist of the Walled Garden and the East Garden with a woodland area, the overall design remains much as it was in The Queen Mother s time. However, a good deal of thought, experience and trial and error have been put into the selection of many more varieties of plants to cater for visitors over the extended season. The Walled Garden is separated into sections by mixed hedges both to work as windbreaks and to create surprises around each corner. The hedges have been there for many years and are made up of a variety of hardy shrubs. The fruit, vegetables and flowers grown in the garden and greenhouse are used by HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay when he is staying in the castle. HRH takes a great interest in the development of His Grandmother s garden and in the effects of the Caithness climate. The produce is also used by the tearoom and any surplus is sold at the plant-stall outside the greenhouse together with an assortment of home-grown plants. The fruit trees have been in the garden for very many years. The Queen Mother's experienced green fingers ensured that the garden at The Castle of Mey has prospered. She even managed to nurture her favourite old rose, Albertine, into scented abundance behind the Great Wall of Mey. The garden is full of marigolds, pansies, dahlias, primulas and nasturtiums, while old-fashioned shrub roses and climbers form the highlights of the Shell Garden, where The Queen Mother used to sit with her corgis in the afternoons. It is as it was in Her day, and the same Albertine rose still grows on the wall, as does the London Pride surrounding each rose bed. A new addition is a Sensory Border which contains plants of interesting textures, smells, taste and colours.. Although The Queen Mother contributed greatly to many royal gardens, it is perhaps the Castle of Mey's that are more hers than any other. It is no coincidence that her grandson, Prince Charles, is today one of our most celebrated royal gardeners. He is helping the Trustees with their plans to extend the growing season for the benefit of our early season visitors, which is­ no easy task this far north. He greatly enjoys the gardens during his annual visits, just as his grandmother did before him. This romantic and unique garden is a reminder that, however daunting the weather, it is often possible with a little vision and energy to create and maintain a garden in the most unlikely of locations. The East Garden is on the other side of the castle. This too is dissected by Fuschia hedges for shelter. The different sections are planted with woodland plants such as Primulla, Meconopsis, Astilbes, Hellebores, Hostas, Ferns and Foxgloves. Visitors are very welcome to follow the paths through the woods.