Journal 20 May 2019
The Granary Lodge opens at The Castle of Mey in Caithness
The Granary Lodge has opened after development managed by The Prince’s Foundation in a joint venture with The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust.
The Granary Lodge, a new luxury ten-bedroom bed and breakfast in the grounds of The Castle of Mey in Caithness, has opened to the public after being formally unveiled by HRH The Prince of Wales, also known as The Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland.
The Prince’s Foundation has worked to create the multi-million-pound development of The Granary Lodge, a former granary building and adjacent cottages, in collaboration with The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust.
“We are delighted that The Prince’s vision for The Granary Lodge has been realised and hope the development means more people visit the North Highlands of Scotland to experience its unique offering to tourists,”
Robert Lovie, Director of Outreach for The Prince’s Foundation.
The Castle of Mey was the property of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1952 until 1996 when Her Majesty gifted it with an endowment to The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. HRH The Prince of Wales was appointed in July 1996 as President of the Trust, which promotes the Caithness tourist attraction and employs its staff. The long term future of The Castle of Mey Trust was secured in January as The Prince’s Foundation was named as its sole trustee.
“Our team has completed a wealth of hard work in recent months and the aim of the project is to extend the legacy of The Prince’s grandmother and ensure that The Castle of Mey Trust can build on its breadth of influence, helping to preserve employment, boost tourism and sustain a business to oversee the maintenance and development of the castle and farm at The Castle of Mey,” continues Lovie.
The Granary Lodge was designed and constructed by Scottish companies Dovecot Architecture and design and main contractor Taylor and Fraser. All sub-contracted building work was undertaken by Caithness-based companies.
Ownership and operation of The Granary Lodge will be held by The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, with revenue directed towards maintaining and operating the estate as a tourist destination in the North Highlands of Scotland.