Taymouth Castle’s owners have pledged to stay connected with the community in Kenmore as it embarks on a £300 million restoration project of the castle, estate and village properties at the end of Loch Tay.
Taymouth Castle is owned by a US-based investment group including entrepreneur and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria.
Managing the castle restoration project is Discovery Land Company (DLC) who have two project managers living in the village of Kenmore who will be “always available” to speak to local groups.
The architect at the helm is Perth-based Eric Strickland and the building contractor is UK firm Thomas Johnston.
The American-based luxury resort developer invited local stakeholders to tour the extensive castle building, which was greatly enlarged to impress Queen Victoria but in recent years has stood empty and mothballed.
A spokesperson for DLC explained that about 20-40 workmen are busy on site and that the first phase of a huge building project that will see the castle interior restored and over 100 new homes built in the grounds had begun.
Inside, first priority is being given to the grand public rooms on the ground and first floor.
Higher up the building is going to be a far bigger job requiring significant investment.
It will take a year and upwards of £400,000 alone to repair a grand stained glass window.
The building was described as being in a “really bad state of repair” with some “fundamental problems” to remedy like water ingress in some places.
Stonemasons are working on structural repairs and the castle restoration is expected to take up the next three years.
DLC would not comment on previous owners and the failed attempt to section the castle rooms into timeshare apartments.
It was also not prepared to say who would live in the palatial building.
The wider figure of £300 million will be used to bring the golf course, trees and grounds plus the Kenmore Hotel up to an excellent standard over “several years.”
The numerous holiday properties recently purchased alongside the hotel are intended to become homes for families who would work for the castle.
There is an emphasis on bringing families to live and work in Kenmore with four families already adding 10 children to the school roll at Kenmore Primary.
The representative explained: “The portfolio recently purchased from Malcolm Flynn comprising the hotel and numerous holiday properties will be done up for local people if they want to work at the castle.
“We are intending to bring people in as there is a shortage of potential employees living locally.
“There is a lot of investment taking place.
“These properties were previously holiday accommodation so this use will not take away from available housing stock.
“We aim to ‘grow’ the village.”
Regarding local concerns of a “buy-up”, DLC said: “We understand people may be concerned.
“But firstly the properties were for sale, and secondly they were already holiday accommodation.
“We will be putting in planning applications to build additional homes for people working on the estate.
“We have a commitment to employing local people where possible.
“We want to build for those families, but not at the expense of those already living in Kenmore.”
While Kenmore Hotel is renovated, some employees will be living there.
The DLC food and beverage director has a “vision” of a bakery based in the village that will be enjoyed by local people as well as future customers of the Taymouth Castle resort.
“People coming to Kenmore will experience a thriving community,” DLC emphasised.
The spokesperson said that the company had plans to invest in the Kenmore Highland Games and in the school.
Regarding the closed village shop, DLC explained that if an interested postmaster was to come forward, the company “would be open” to making an effort to find a location to open a Post Office outlet.
The Kenmore Post Office and shop was not bought in the hotel purchase, whereas the beach had been part of the sale of property from Malcolm Flynn.
The public will continue to enjoy access to the cleaned up beach and memorial benches will be safeguarded.
