Building record MHG2241 - Castle of Mey

Summary

No summary available.

Location

Grid reference Centred ND 2901 7390 (33m by 36m) (Buffered by site type)
Map sheet ND27SE
Old County CAITHNESS
Civil Parish CANISBAY
Geographical Area CAITHNESS

Map

Type and Period (1)

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 LC19 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.

Parent for:
ND27SE0023 Gate Lodge JHooper, 21/09/2001

NB: Name Barrogill may be derived from Norse borger a burg or stronghold - HAW 1/2003

Photographs of the castle and gardens taken asa condition on a planning application. <1>

Interior photographs were submitted in support of a planning application in 2012. <2>

Sources/Archives (11)

  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Groome, F H (ed.). 1901. Ordnance gazetteer of Scotland. new. 132.
  • --- 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.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Tranter, N. 1962-70. The fortified house in Scotland. Vol. 5, 95-6.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article/Newspaper Article: Hamilton, A. 1996. Castle of Mey [newscutting]. [The Scotsman?].
  • --- Text/Publication/Article/Newspaper Article: Castle of Hey. 1996. Trust to take over royal holiday home [Castle of Mey, newscutting]. The Scotsman.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: House and Garden. House and Garden June 1954, p.31. 31. June 1954, page 31.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- 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.
  • --- 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> Image/Photograph(s): Unknown. 2002-2006. Photographs of Castle of Mey and Gardens, Canisbay, Caithness. Colour. Digital.
  • <2> Image/Photograph(s): The Queen Elizabeth Castle Of Mey Trust. Photographic Survey - Castle of Mey. Colour. Digital.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

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Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Feb 20 2014 3:06PM

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