MHG2241 - Castle of Mey
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- CASTLE (Medieval to 19th Century - 1058 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status
Images (99)
Images (99)
Documents (4)
Full Description
(ND 2902 7390) Castle of Mey (NR) OS 1:10,000 map, (1976)
Castle of Mey, formerly known as Barrogill Castle, has reverted to its original name. It is basically LC16 Z-plan castle but its appearance has been much altered by 19th century crenellation and heightening.
The main block, with thick walls and gunloops, is 3 storeys and an attic in height and lies E-W with a square wing projecting at SW end and a smaller, square stair-tower to NE, each rising a storey higher than main building. An unusual feature is massive chimney-stack at E end. There is a curtain-walled courtyard, entered by a round-arched gateway, to N. Castle was built by Sinclairs 1567 and remained in their virtually unbroken possession until Late C19 After a period of neglect it was bought and restored by HM Queen Mother c1960.
RCAHMS 1911; N Tranter 1962-70; F H Groome 1901; HBD No1
Castle architecturally as described above except orientation of some features is incorrect. 'square wing' is at SE corner and 'smaller square stair-tower' is in NW; latter feature is same height as main but original entrance was in N. Later additions extend from SW side and flank E and W sides of courtyard, which has date '1762' above arch leading into it.
Revised at 1:2500. Visited by OS (J B) 4 April 1982.
East Caithness Local Plan, May 1987: P31/2.53.
J Aitken : 22/05/01.
NB: Name Barrogill may be derived from Norse borger a burg or stronghold - HAW 1/2003
Photographs of the castle and gardens taken as a condition on a planning application. <1>
Interior photographs were submitted in support of a planning application in 2012. <2>
Sources/Archives (11)
- --- SHG2297 Text/Publication/Volume: Groome, F H (ed.). 1901. Ordnance gazetteer of Scotland. new. 132.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . 9-11, No. 31; plan.
- --- SHG2893 Text/Publication/Volume: Tranter, N. 1962-70. The fortified house in Scotland. Vol. 5, 95-6.
- --- SHG2952 Text/Publication/Article/Newspaper Article: Hamilton, A. 1996. Castle of Mey [newscutting]. [The Scotsman?].
- --- SHG3082 Text/Publication/Article/Newspaper Article: Castle of Mey. 1996. Trust to take over royal holiday home [Castle of Mey, newscutting]. The Scotsman.
- --- SHG3533 Text/Publication/Article: House and Garden. House and Garden June 1954, p.31. 31. June 1954, page 31.
- --- SHG3611 Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
- --- SHG416 Text/Publication/Article: Moncrieffe, I. 1963. 'Castle of Mey', Scot Fld Vol. 110 Nov 1963, p.57-9, 61. Scot Fld. 57-9, 61. 57-9, 61.
- --- SHG899 Text/Publication/Article: Miller, D B. 1979. 'Historic castles and families of the north. 10. The Castle of May- The Sinclairs of May, later earls of Caithness', Caithness Fld Club Bulletin Vol. 2 Oct 1979, p.176-80. Caithness Fld Club Bulletin. 176-80. 176-80.
- <1> SHG25871 Image/Photograph(s): Unknown. 2002-2006. Photographs of Castle of Mey and Gardens, Canisbay, Caithness. Colour. Digital.
- <2> SHG26031 Image/Photograph(s): The Queen Elizabeth Castle Of Mey Trust. Photographic Survey - Castle of Mey. Colour. Digital.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 2901 7390 (33m by 36m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND27SE |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Investigations/Events (2)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB1797 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/8864 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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