King Charles is set to open the doors of his beloved Scottish retreat, the Castle of Mey, to private diners this summer, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to follow in his footsteps.
For the first time, members of the public can book an exclusive dining experience at the 16th-century castle in Caithness, which was once home to the Queen Mother and still serves as a summer holiday base for the monarch.
Groups of up to 12 can enjoy a Champagne tour of the castle, followed by a bespoke three-course menu crafted by a local chef. The dinner will be served at The King’s Table in the Dining Room, which is still used by His Majesty, with the option of a whisky or gin tasting in the Drawing Room and live music from a piper to follow.
Guests can already stay overnight at the luxurious Granary Lodge at the Castle, between April and October, but the dining experience will be available year-round when the King is not in residence.
The five-star guesthouse overlooks the Pentland Firth, with breathtaking views to Orkney on a clear day and sometimes even the Northern Lights.
© The King’s FoundationQueen Elizabeth the Queen Mother purchased the Castle in 1952, following the death of her husband King George VI. She spent three weeks there each August and another ten days in October. In 1996, she gifted it to the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, which opened it to the public for the first time after her death in 2002.
It now attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year and is open seven days a week from May to September, apart from a period in late July and early August when the King and Queen return there for a holiday.
© The King’s FoundationSince 2019, all proceeds from tours, stays, and now dining experiences, go to The King’s Foundation, which looks after the historic property and its gardens. The charity also offers education courses for over 15,000 students annually, health and wellbeing programmes for nearly 2,000 people every year and supports traditional arts and crafts.
For more information, visit www.castleofmey.org.uk
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