Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 33 on 22/06/2007.

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Fit for a queen

Charles Douglas visits The Castle of Mey in Caithness, beloved holiday home of the late Queen Mother

Although the Castle of Mey on Scotland’s northern coast will forever be associated with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, its provenance reaches far back into the past. Built between 1566 and 1572, it was erected as a stronghold for George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, one of a string of castles he held to protect his interests.

Six miles from John O’Groats and nine miles from the town of Thurso, Barrogill Castle, as it was known previous to the Queen Mother changing its name, occupies a prime strategic position overlooking the Pentland Firth with distant glimpses of the Orkney Islands.

Further around the same coastline, the Sinclairs also controlled Ackergill Castle, Dunbeath Castle, Keiss Castle, Castle Sinclair and Girnigoe where, in 1571, the 5th Earl (grandson of the 4th) allegedly imprisoned his son John in a dungeon and fed him on salt and water until he went mad. They were a turbulent clan rarely out of conflict with one or other of their neighbours and, of course, defending the seas from Scandinavian incursions (see pages 52-53 for more on the Clan Sinclair).

The fortress of Barrogill was therefore just another link in their ruthless defence system.

Constructed on a traditional Z-plan, its appearance is typical of its period. As one might expect, 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 remains unaltered, but the c.....

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By Charles Douglas

Section : Historic Houses

Page number : 14