Garden of the week

THE CASTLE OF MEY, MEY, THURSO

The Castle of Mey stands on the north coast of Caithness. It was the beloved home of the Queen Mother and has a delightful garden created by her during her regular visits to the castle. The grounds, including the Walled Garden, the East Garden and the woodland area, have been lovingly maintained since then.

The Walled Garden is separated into sections by mixed hedges, which work as windbreaks and create surprises around every corner. In high summer, this garden is renowned for its sweet peas. The produce of the garden is used in the tearoom, with any surplus being sold in the visitor centre. The East Garden is dissected by fuschia hedges for shelter, with individual sections planted with primulas, meconopsis and many other woodland species.

Visitors are very welcome to follow the winding paths through the woods. The Queen Mother’s experienced green fingers ensured that the garden prospered and she nurtured 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 would sit with her corgis in the afternoon.

Today, the garden is the same as it was during the Queen Mother’s day; Albertine rose still grows on the wall, as does the London Pride surrounding each rose bed.

The Duke of Rothesay takes great interest in the continued development of his grandmother’s garden and the effects the Caithness climate has on it. This romantic and unique garden is a reminder that, however daunting the weather, it is possible to create and maintain a garden in the most unlikely of locations.

WEBSITE: www.castleofmey.org.uk

TELEPHONE: 01847 851473

OPENING TIMES: May 1 to September 30, from 10.20am until last admission at 4pm. The visitor centre, tearoom, shop, grounds and animal centre are open every day during the season from 10am until 5pm.

ADMISSION COSTS: Adults and concession £6.50, child £3, family £18

Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org