Cayman Islands firm starts work on castle once linked to star Swift

Offshore corporation has begun work on castle that Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris were rumoured to be interested in back in 2015

A major renovation project is under way at a luxurious Perthshire castle once linked to US pop star Taylor Swift.

The Shake It Off singer reportedly had her eye on the £4.6 million Tower of Lethendy when it went on the market in 2015.

According to US gossip sites, she was considering snapping up the estate with her then partner Calvin Harris.

But the star later quashed rumours in a tweet, quoting from her own song: “Cause baby I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me” – a line from New Romantics – “But I’m not actually buying a castle.”

Now Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has given its backing to a series of alterations planned by the castle’s mysterious new owner.

The B-listed property, near Meikleour was snapped up by a firm based in the Cayman Islands, known as MFT Braveheart Ltd.

Details of the company have been redacted from council planning papers.

The renovations by architect firm Auckett Swanke, will be the first major work on the building since the 1990s.

The work will mainly focus on firstfloor rooms and include lifting and evening out timber flooring, creating new doors and blocking old ones.

There will also be an overhaul to pipes and cables running throughout the building. The oldest part of the building is an L-shaped tower built for the Herrings of Lethendy and Glasclune, and could date back to the 1400s.

The main country house was built in 1884 for Colonel John Gammell.

In documents lodged with planning chiefs, GLM chartered surveyors said: “It is noted that the building has been altered many times both before and after the construction of the 1884 house.

“Overall, these proposals will enable the building to remain in the use for which it was designed, as a high-quality country residence.”

The firm did not respond to requests for comment.

The work has been given the go-ahead by Perth and Kinross Council officers.

Planner Andy Baxter said: “The building is currently in use as a private residence.

“However, I understand that it may have previously been used for some holiday accommodation and self catering purposes over the years.

“I understand that in the 1990s, fairly significant and substantial internal works were carried out.”

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust has supported the project, but said no work should begin until a full archaeological survey has been carried out.

HES has said that any floorboards dating to before the 19th Century should be retained where possible.

Picture: Deadline News. Renovation work is under way at Lethendy Castle.

Pictures: David Weir/Getty Images. Top: the castle, parts of which date to the 15th Century, is set in 40 acres of grounds. Above: US singer Taylor Swift who was rumoured to be interested in buying the castle with her then boyfriend, Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, and the stairwell in the...

Picture: Deadline News. The snooker room and library inside the castle.