The Royal Family are known for being great lovers of the Scottish Highlands, with the family often gathering at Balmoral Castle over the summer months for some well-needed quality time together. However, while many naturally assume that all royals stay at Balmoral in Scotland, this has not always been the case.
This is because the family also own another castle in Scotland that would be used for short stays rather than permanent residence. However, this is not a castle that has been in the family for centuries.
This is because it was purchased by The Queen Mother, King Charles’ grandmother, in 1952.
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, brought the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland, after the death of her husband King George VI.
The castle was almost derelict when she brought it, having been originally built between 1566 and 1572 on the lands of Mey, which originally belonged to the Bishops of Caithness.
While it is not known exactly how much she paid for the castle, rumours are that she could have paid up to £100 for it.
This, according to the Bank of England’s Inflation calculator, amounts to £2,497.50.
However, some believe that The Queen Mother, who used her own funds to add electricity and fresh water supplies to the castle, could have been given it for a much cheaper price, or even free.
While she was fond of the castle, King Charles’ grandmother never lived in it full-time and instead tended to visit the castle yearly between August and October from 1955 until her final visit in October 2001. She used the library as her private sitting room in later life.
The Castle of Mey, which is now owned by the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, is open to the public between May and September every year. However, it is believed the castle sometimes closes for ten days between July and August, with King Charles and Queen Camilla known for enjoying short stays here before.
