Hundreds of people visited a Scottish Castle that was one of the late Queen Mother's favourite retreats on its first day of being open to the public.

More than 300 people visited the 16th century Castle of Mey in the first hour it was open on Wednesday.

Visitors said it was easy to see why the Queen Mother had "fallen in love" with the place.

The castle is near John O'Groats and the Queen Mother spent part of her summer holidays there enjoying the solitude.

Lord Thurso welcomed the castle's opening

Last week the Prince of Wales enjoyed a short stay in Caithness with Camilla Parker Bowles, during which the Prince unveiled a Caithness stone bench in one of his grandmother's favourite spots.

As a token of the Queen Mother's thanks to the local people for respecting her privacy over the years, entry to the castle will be free until the beginning of September.

A spokesman for the trust which now owns and manages the castle confirmed that it had about 320 visitors in the first hour.

Tourists viewed the butler's pantry, the castle library, two acres of walled gardens and paintings by Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Positive reaction

Education professor Keith Hopkins from Brisbane, Australia, who was on holiday with his wife Di, said: "I thought the Castle was extremely homely, not ostentatious, and it probably reflected the Queen Mother's personality.

"I thought it was an excellent contrast with some of the other castles."

Rob Pratt, from Ruthbury, Northumberland, who was in the Highlands with his wife Barbara, added: "Having been brought up with the Queen Mother and the role she played in the Royal Family, its great to come to the place where she relaxed."

The Queen Mother had holidays in Caithness

Lord Thurso, one of the trustees, was a regular visitor to the Castle during the Queen Mother's summer holidays in the Highlands and also escorted Prince Charles as he toured Caithness last week.

Asked what the Queen Mother would have made of the public going round the Castle, he said he thought she would have been "extremely pleased".

Lord Thurso said: "I think she would have been delighted to see so many people enjoying themselves.

"This week has been particularly pleasing because of Prince Charles staying here and enjoying his stay."

Lord Thurso added: "It's a wonderfully intimate castle, it's not by any stretch a grand palace, it's a holiday cottage equivalent of royal castles."