In pictures: Queen Mother's castle

The late Queen Mother's favourite home, the Castle of Mey, in a remote part of northern Scotland, is to open to the public for the first time next month.

BBC News Online has a sneak preview of what her much-loved private home looks like inside.

It was the wishes of the Queen Mother, who died in March, that her home in Caithness be opened to the public

The Queen Mother bought the then near derelict 16th Century castle in 1952 and oversaw its 12-year restoration programme

The public will be able to view many rooms including the dining room when the castle opens on 14 August

Prince Charles will unveil a private memorial to his grandmother - an inscribed bench - before the castle opens to the public

Lord Thurso said the Trustees who manage the castle did not want to see it run as a museum

Admission will be free until 6 September as a thank-you to locals who allowed the Queen Mother her privacy

Pictures of the Queen Mother's favourite pets sit alongside her favourite ornaments

Personal possessions of the Queen Mother will be on display at her former home