American investors behind the buy-up of Taymouth Castle Estate and other Kenmore landmarks have vowed they are “committed” to becoming part of the community as residents rally over concerns about the future of the village.
Taymouth Castle estate, Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore beach and a number of holiday properties were bought by an American group - including billionaire businessman and philanthropist John Paul DeJoria.
Mr DeJoria, known for co-founding two multi-billion dollar brands, Paul Mitchell and Patron, has appointed global firm Discovery Land Company to restore and manage the local sites at the village, at the east end of Loch Tay.
This week they launched a website - welcometotaymouth.com - with an aim to keep the local community informed about the development of the Taymouth estate.
It states the company and investors are “committed to playing an active part in creating a vibrant Kenmore community”.
But some are wary of the plans suggesting the “single company control” of the wider village landmarks is a concern.
Concerns were raised when the Kenmore Post Office and Stores shut on May 20.
When Kenmore Hotel and lodges were sold earlier this year, the shop business was not bought from the vendor Malcolm Flynn at the same time. It was his decision to shut the store.
The Welcome to Taymouth website states, in response to “misinformation”, that they do not own “the Post Office, Weem Hotel, and Fortingall Hotel”.
But online group Save Kenmore! - which launched on June 18 and now has 400 members - say the shop closure also forms part of their wider concerns about the future of the village and its assets.
Andy Pakula, who lives in Fortingall, said: “The buy-up in Kenmore (and now beyond Kenmore) seems to pose a serious risk to ways of life, ordinary tourism, businesses, affordability of housing, and threatens to bring about a single-company control of the area.”
The group, who met this week for the first time, say they will focus on getting the shop back for the village and starting a petition to call for the new owners of village assets to take care that local people are not hurt by changes.
“We need to keep the community’s voice at the forefront of the project for as long as it is going on, ensure that promises and concessions are made for the benefit of locals, and hold the developers to them,” said Chris Heasman who began the group.
Other administrators in the group include Kenmore resident Julia Connolly and Loch Tay resident Raina Shine.
A-listed Taymouth Castle, surrounded by 450 acres of park and woodlands, has been closed since the 1980s.
According to the Welcome to Taymouth website, renovation plans, managed by Discovery Land Company, which is owned by US businessman Michael Meldman, include: bringing the castle back to life and building a new “north wing”; building 167 new residential properties; restoration of the James Braid Golf Course, a new club house, equestrian centre, restaurant and two spas.
The purchased holiday homes will be refurbished and used as accommodation for those working at the castle estate.
Kenmore Hotel will also be restored as will the beach at Kenmore - which has been cleaned up and will remain public.
Planning consent for a Taymouth Castle revamp was agreed by Perth and Kinross Council in 2011.
According to Companies House, CEO of Discovery Land Company, Michael Meldman, is listed as an active director of both Taymouth Holdings Ltd and Taymouth (Member no2) Ltd.
Mr Meldman’s Taymouth Holdings Ltd and Taymouth (Member no2) Ltd control The River Tay Castle LLP.
A web of smaller companies connected to Kenmore are listed as belonging to PLH in the Highlands (UK) Ltd, with Kevin Lange, of Georgetown Texas, as a director.
These are Kenmore Shop Ltd, Kenmore Beach Ltd, Kenmore Hospitality Ltd, Taymouth Trading Ltd, Kenmore Hotel Holdings Ltd, Kenmore Beach Parking Ltd, Taymouth Horsefield Ltd, Taymouth Lochen Ltd, Kenmore Residential Ltd, Newhall Woods Ltd.
Since December 2021, Kevin Lange has been a director in PLH in the Highlands UK Ltd.
Companies House lists John Paul DeJoria as a ‘person with significant control’ in the company PLH in the Highlands Ltd.
Website welcometotaymouth.com says under “about us”: “Discovery Land Company has been engaged for renovation and operations for a group of properties that has been purchased by a US based investment group including John Paul DeJoria entrepreneur and philanthropist.
“The properties were previously owned by the same individual and include the Kenmore Hotel, various holiday properties, and the beach at Kenmore. The historic Kenmore Hotel will be restored and operated by Discovery Land Company.
“It is our aim to invest in the refurbishment of the properties and community, many of which are listed buildings, and return them to permanent homes for team members working on the Taymouth Castle estate.
“The properties have been purchased to ensure we have enough accommodations for the many staff who will be recruited to work on the estate, both local and regional. We will be posting jobs on this website and welcome applications from the local community to join our team.
“The beach at Kenmore is a much-valued local destination enjoyed by many. As stewards of this tranquil space, we will work to ensure it remains a safe and beautiful place to visit with regular beach cleans and ongoing maintenance planned.”
A spokesperson for the group indicated a site tour was being offered imminently where the company’s plans for Taymouth would be shared publicly.
They did not offer an official statement in response to our request for one.
