Castle of Mey - 6

The castle kitchen benefits from the wide variety of fruit and vegetables grown here, varieties all chosen for their resistance to wind and salt. Raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, apples, currants, potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, turnips, onions and leeks all thrive here and, happily, the exotic globe artichoke does extremely well too!



Although The Queen Mother contributed greatly to many royal gardens, it is perhaps the Castle of Mey's that are more hers than any other. It is no coincidence that her grandson, Prince Charles, is today one of our most celebrated royal gardeners. He is helping the Trustees with their plans to extend the growing season for the benefit of our early season visitors, which is no easy task this far north. He greatly enjoys the gardens during his annual visits, just as his grandmother did before him.

This romantic and unique garden is a reminder that, however daunting the weather, it is often possible with a little vision and energy to create and maintain a garden in the most unlikely of locations.