| Taymouth Castle | |
|---|---|
 Taymouth Castle's eastern façade | |
  Location within Perth and Kinross | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Neo Gothic Style |
| Location | Perth and Kinross |
| Town or city | Kenmore |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°35′42″N 3°58′52″W / 56.594972°N 3.9810339°W |
| Construction started | 1806 |
| Completed | 1842 |
| Client | John Campbell |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | J and A Elliot |
Taymouth Castle is situated to the north-east of the village of Kenmore, Perth and Kinross, in the Highlands of Scotland, in an estate which encompasses 450 acres (180 ha).[1] It lies on the south bank of the River Tay, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Loch Tay, in the heartland of the Grampian Mountains. Taymouth is bordered on two sides by mountain ranges, by Loch Tay on the third and by the confluence of the rivers Lyon and Tay on the fourth.[2]
Taymouth Castle stands on the site of the much older Balloch Castle, which was built in 1552, as the seat of the Campbell clan. In the early 19th century, Balloch Castle was demolished by the Campbells of Breadalbane so that the new, much larger castle could be rebuilt on the site. The new castle's blue-grey stone was taken from the quarry at Bolfracks.[3]
Built in a neo-Gothic style and on a lavish scale, Taymouth Castle is regarded one of the most important Scottish castles in private ownership. Its public rooms show examples of the workmanship of the craftsmen of the 19th century. The castle's interior was decorated with extravagant carvings, plasterwork and murals. Panels of medieval stained glass and Renaissance woodwork were incorporated into the scheme. Much of this decor still survives.[4]
Francis Bernasconi, acknowledged as the greatest designer of fine plasterwork of the era, created the central staircase, which connects all four storeys of the central tower. Many of the ceilings were painted by Cornelius Dixon.[4]
The castle is a Category A listed building,[5] and the grounds, which include parklands and woodlands, are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, the national listing of significant gardens.[2] Historic Environment Scotland have graded the castle as 'outstanding' in their work of art, historical, architectural and scenic categories. They also acknowledged that, due to the remnants of its pinetum and the outstanding size of its remaining trees, it also has horticultural value.[2] It is said that some of the first larches brought to Scotland from the Tyrol were planted on the estate.[3]
Twelve of Taymouth Castle's buildings or structures are currently recorded on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.[6] Due to its severely deteriorating condition, Taymouth Castle has been empty since approximately 1982; however, its new owners planned to restore and redevelop the castle as a luxury hotel resort.
The castle and golf course are currently closed until further notice while it is being restored and re-modelled.
- ^ Goldsmith, Charles (7 November 1997). "A Bargain-Hunter's Guide to Buying a Scottish Castle". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
Last month, bids closed for Taymouth Castle, a 19th-century residence whose interiors were featured in the recent movie "Mrs. Brown" about Queen Victoria's later years. The 450-acre estate includes an 18-hole golf course, a salmon-stocked river and some 80 rooms.
- ^ a b c Historic Environment Scotland. "Taymouth Castle (GDL00354)". Retrieved 21 June 2024.
- ^ a b Dundee Evening Telegraph dated 30 November 1950, Page 4
- ^ a b "Taymouth Castle Estate". Taymouth-castle.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Taymouth Castle (Category A Listed Building) (LB12093)". Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Taymouth Castle". Buildings at risk. Retrieved 2 October 2017.