The £900,000 complex further boosts the drawing power of the late Queen Mother's beloved summer holiday home.

Since public tours of the 16th-century castle and its famous gardens started up five years ago, it has grown to become the Far North's top tourist attraction.

The redevelopment includes a tearoom, gift shop and public toilets to replace the cluster of Portakabins and Portaloos which used to serve visitors.

The duke's close involvement in the project was disclosed as preparations were finalised for the public opening of the new centre.

James Murray, administrator of the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, said the duke had secured backing for about half of the capital costs.

HIE Caithness and Sutherland chipped in £200,000, on top of the investment made by the trust.

Mr Murray said: "The other funding was found through the efforts of the Duke of Rothesay.

"They have asked that their names aren't made public and I've got to respect that."

He said that the mystery benefactors are a mixture of individuals and corporate sponsors.

The centre, which affords glorious views over the Pentland Firth, is providing work for 14 seasonal staff.

The trust, which owns and runs the castle, is looking forward to swelling visitor numbers with its latest development.

Mr Murray said: "After we opened in 2002, the trustees very quickly realised that we would have to have a visitor centre.

"We commissioned architect Lachie Stewart to design a centre and after starting with option 'A' in 2003, the trustees finally agreed on option 'J' in January last year.

"That gives you an idea of the thought and work that went into producing this building."

Mr Murray said the new building blends in very well with the castle and the grounds.

The inclusion of local materials, such as Caithness stone and slate, and Douglas fir and larch, were at the behest of the duke.

The duke is president of the trust, which was set up by his late grandmother to ensure the castle was not sold off after her death.

He also approved of environmentally-friendly features, including lime mortar, the use of sheep's wool as insulation and geothermal heat pumps.

The contract marks the last for Halkirk-based construction firm D.M. Geddes & Sons Ltd, which is being wound up.

James Murray, administrator of the Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust, outside the new visitor centre. John Baikie 07789 557586

Foreman/supervisor Alan Duffus said: "It's been a pleasure to work on this project.

"Usually, most of the materials on jobs come from abroad but just about everything on this job has been sourced from the Highlands.

"Hopefully, it will go some way to giving a boost to the tourist industry in Caithness."

Mr Duffus (44), from Wick, headed the construction team, which at its peak totalled 20.

Another innovation this year is the conversion of the castle granary into a farmyard menagerie, which will include half-a-dozen different varieties of rare sheep, as well as goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens and a donkey.

Mr Murray said the animal centre is an attempt to give an added attraction for children visiting the castle.

A further new feature visitors will be able to see this summer is two new rose beds planted in the walled gardens.

Head gardener Grant Napier (42) said the roses are of the hardy, shrub-type species favoured by the late Queen Mother.

The garden is to supply produce to the tearoom, which will source its beef and lamb from the Mey Selections brand, set up under the auspices of the North Highland Initiative, which was launched by the duke.

Leonard Begg (29) has returned to his home area to take charge of the 12-strong catering team after a three-and-a-half year stint as head chef in a hotel in Orkney.

Mr Murray says prospects for the new season, which opens on May 1, are looking good.

With coach parties up from 165 to 210 and passengers from two cruise liners due to visit the castle after berthing at Scrabster, Mr Murray is confident last year's total of 23,400 visitors will be comfortably beaten.

This season, for the first time, the castle will open seven days a week. People will be able to drop into the visitor centre without going on the tour.

The tours of the homely castle run from May 1 to July 26 and from August 8 to September 30 inclusive.

The mid-season closure is to accommodate the annual week-long stay at the castle in early August by the duke and his wife.

It is thought he will officially open the visitor centre during his stay.

iain-grant@ukf.net

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