Journal 22 October 2018
The Mey Games
The Prince’s Foundation will steward The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust as of 2019 – the future of this historic building looks bright
A romantic edifice set on the rugged coastline of Caithness, in the north Highlands of Scotland, the dilapidated Castle of Mey was purchased in 1952 by the late Queen Mother following the death of her husband King George VI.
Following its renovation, she holidayed at the castle for almost fifty years, and each August, presided over the Mey Games, which were held in a field close by (the event has since been reborn as the first UK Highland Games to champion war veterans and para-athletes. Now attended by HRH The Duke of Rothesay, the highlights of this year’s event can be seen here).
The stunning property, unsurprisingly, holds great sentimental value for HRH The Duke of Rothesay. Hence, from 1 January 2019, The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust will be stewarded by The Prince’s Foundation. Current Chairman Ashe Windham has expressed his delight at the opportunity to help manage the transition.
The charity will of course retain its unique goals: the preservation of buildings and monuments; the promotion of historical and architectural education; the preservation of the Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle, and the championing of wider benefits to the community, while HRH The Duke of Rothesay and The Prince’s Foundation is certain to make the continuation of his grandmother’s legacy a priority.
“HRH The Duke of Rothesay aspires to support The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust into the future, particularly through the work of his charities,” explains Robert Lovie, Executive Director of The Prince’s Foundation. “The plan is to use the skill set and experience of The Prince’s Foundation to continue to develop not only the excellent work of the current trustees, but also to build on The Queen Mother’s wishes of retaining the unique spirit of the castle, Caithness, the North Highlands and the local community.” The passion to maintain this historic building, it seems, is limitless.
