Visitor Information

Inside the Castle
 
When the Queen Mother bought the castle, the interior was very different from the way it is today.

She furnished it with items bought locally and others brought up from the south. Many paintings were bought from local artists and she managed to obtain the portraits of the 12th, 13th and 14th Earls of Caithness, which now hang in the front hall, from the late 'Barogill Keith', who was at one point the estate factor.

The kitchen at that time was situated in the room that the Queen Mother converted to a library. She later used this room to do her private correspondence in and would have her favourite photographs set out in it.

She created a kitchen on the ground floor and built on an extension to it with the butler's pantry above.

The Equerry's room was originally used as the dining room and the present dining room was a billiard room.

She had to have mains water and electricity installed and chose the bathroom fittings herself.

As far as possible, the castle is still set out very much as the Queen Mother had it. The guides in the castle will do all they can to make your visit interesting and enjoyable and are happy to answer any questions you may have.