Prince Charles To Open A 10-Room Bed And Breakfast On The Grounds Of Castle Mey

On May 15, the future King of England will open the doors to his new bed and breakfast, known as Granary Lodge, to the public. The 10-bedroom development overlooks the picturesque North Sea on the grounds of the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland.

“We are delighted that the prince’s vision for the Granary Lodge has been realised and hope the development means more people will visit the north Highlands of Scotland to experience its unique offering to tourists,” Robert Lovie, director of outreach for the Prince’s Foundation, said at the hotel’s unveiling.

“Our team has completed a wealth of hard work in recent months and is pleased with the result, which we hope will encourage people to spend longer in beautiful Caithness – an area so close to the heart of His Royal Highness”.

Built between 1566 and 1572 and bought in 1952 by the Queen Mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, the Castle of Mey rises above the shores of Pentland Firth in the north of Scotland. It was a favorite holiday destination of Queen Elizabeth who regularly visited, especially after the death of her husband King George VI.

The castle comprises some 38 rooms, including 15 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, a library and a billiards room. An imposing double staircase from the entrance hall leads to the principal rooms on the second floor. A trap-door in the floor of the dining room leads to a dungeon. The well-tended gardens are occasionally open to visitors.

Shirley Farquhar, administrator of the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, said: “We welcome HRH to the Castle of Mey each year for his holiday and, given his strong affinity and family connection to Caithness, it was fitting that he paid us the honor of formally opening the Granary Lodge”.

Ms. Farquhar said the development would secure “year-round employment for local people and provide a valuable asset to tourism in Caithness”.

She added: “As luxury accommodation, a unique wedding venue, and a conference center, the Granary Lodge will, we hope, create a considerable positive ripple effect within the local economy”.